4-8-4 Class GS-4 'Golden State' SP Profile and Models
4449 Daylight Special at East Lansing, Michigan in July 2009. ©Joe Ross
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The Southern Pacific GS-4 is a streamlined 4-8-4 "Golden State" type steam locomotive used on the Southern Pacific Company from 1941 to 1958. They were built by the Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4430 through 4457. "GS" stands for "Golden State" or "General Service." The GS-4s were passenger engines capable of 110 mph (180 km/h), though timetable speed limit never exceeded 75 mph or 121 km/h (A maximum speed of 75 mph was allowed in the Salinas Valley). Southern Pacific's premier passenger trains were pulled by GS-4s, the Coast Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight, Lark, Cascade, Golden State and Sunset Limited. The last GS-4 engines were deskirted and painted black in 1956; a GS-4 pulled its last passenger train in October 1958. All were retired by 1958. Southern Pacific 4449 is the only surviving GS-4 locomotive and is one of the most recognizable locomotives of all time. It was donated to the City of Portland in 1958 and moved to Oaks Amusement Park for static display until December of 1974 when the locomotive was removed from the park to undergo restoration. Today, the locomotive is operational and performs excursion services. |
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Type of Locomotive |
Steam |
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Builder |
Lima Locomotive Works |
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Build Dates |
1941 to 1942 |
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Total Built |
28 |
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Tractive Effort |
66,326 lbf (78,000 lbf with booster) |
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Top Speed |
110 mph |
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Wheel Configuration |
4-8-4 |
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Operated By |
Southern Pacific Company |
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Main Duties |
Express Passenger |
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In Service Until |
1958 |
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Surviving Examples |
1 |
