SOUTHERN PACIFIC CLASS GS-4 4-8-4

In 1940 the Southern Pacific Company ordered from the Lima Locomotive Works a batch of 30 4-8-4 locomotives for passenger service, based on the successful GS-3 class of the same type built in 1937. The new locomotives, most of which were equipped with Timken and SKF bearings and were placed in another class to differentiate them from the others. The GS-4/GS-5 locomotives were similar to the earlier GS-3 class, but had a different "face" in that the boiler front contained a double light arrangement (with headlight and a mars light). The locomotives were painted in the famous orange, red and black Daylight scheme and were streamlined for service on the Daylight trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The new 4-8-4's were shipped to El Paso where they were set up for service. Although ordered in one batch, the locomotives were built in two groups, the first being delivered in April and May of 1941 and the second in March and April 1942. Like most modern steam power they were equipped with integral cast steel frames and cylinders and other current appliances. The GS-4's were not, however, completely equipped with roller bearings.

The new engines were placed into passenger service on the Coast Route, pulling such trains as the Daylight, Noon Daylight, and the Lark. They were also used on the El Paso-Los Angeles route, pulling the Sunset and other premier trains. As the railroad was undergoing crushing increase in traffic because of World War Two, they were welcome indeed. The GS-4's were not regularly used on Oakland-Ogden or Oakland-Portland trains. As war traffic continued to increase, the big 4-8-4's were also used on troop trains and heavy mail and express movements. So valuable were the GS-4's to the road that more were ordered, but the War Production Board would not release critical war materials for passenger locomotives. The Southern Pacific dusted off their plans for the 73" driven 1936 built GS-2's and updated copies of those were delivered to both the Southern Pacific and the Western Pacific.

After the war as traffic levels decreased somewhat, the GS-4's were once again used primarily for heavy premier passenger traffic. In the late1940's, however, deliveries of new EMD and ALCO diesel passenger units bumped the GS-4's off the major trains on the El Paso-Los Angeles route and other assignments. The streamlined skirting and the special paint were removed from all but six of the class, ostensibly for easier maintenance and accessibility. These engines, however, continued to see passenger service and could also be found in special freight service, such as the famous overnight trains between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

In the mid-1950's the GS-4's on the Daylight trains were replaced by diesel power and the class was concentrated on the Western Division, running in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. Many 4-8-4's were placed into commuter service at this time running from San Francisco to San Jose. Others were used on freight drags running north to Sacramento and Stockton. Deliveries of new diesels gradually knocked the big 4-8-4's from even this service, and by 1958 the last GS-4 had been retired. With one exception, all of the class was scrapped.

The one exception was Number 4449, which was donated in 1958 to the City of Portland. Fortuitous circumstances led to this beautiful locomotive being completely restored in 1976 and used to pull the American Freedom Train all over the United States in a red, white and blue paint job. After the job was finished the locomotive was returned to Portland and restored to the famous Daylight scheme. The locomotive was used to pull a special train to the opening of the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento in 1981 and 1984 to the World's Fair in New Orleans. It is indeed fortunate that one of the most beautiful and well known modern steam locomotives was preserved and restored to serviceable condition.

SPECIFICATIONS

Drivers: 80" Cylinders: 25.5" X 32"

Total Engine Weight: 475,000 Lbs. Weight On Drivers: 276,000 Lbs.

Boiler Pressure: 300 Lbs.

Tractive Effort: 64,800 Lbs. plus 13,850 Lbs. TE from Trailing Truck Booster