The image remains brilliant – the streamliner with the visual impact of a bright orange and red projectile, with accents of silver and black, that still rockets through the minds of those familiar with the Southern Pacific Daylight trains. Inaugurated on March 21, 1937, that memorable image of the streamliner at speed was the product of the uniquely handsome class GS-2, 4-8-4 steam locomotives that were specially crafted to power the first Daylight trains. SP was committed to modernism but disdained the evolving age of the diesel-electric. Instead, SP turned to Lima Locomotive Works who successfully applied the SP-designed streamlined look to the powerful 4-8-4 steam locomotives. The first order was for six locomotives, numbers 4410-4415. The fleet of GS-class locomotives – named “Golden State”- soon expanded to include classes GS-2, 3, 4 and 5, the last of the fully streamlined passenger locomotives built for the SP. Later, SP introduced class GS-6, a dual passenger-freight service version – with less streamlining – and nearby rival Western Pacific also purchased dual service versions from Lima Locomotive.
The recollections of a veteran SP engineer help underscore the significance of the GS locomotives: Built to power passenger trains of 16 to 18 cars in length at speeds up to 80 MPH, Engineer Henry F. Jones (who hired on SP in 1906) once got one up to 90 MPH on the Santa Fe, when a washout on the SP necessitated a detour. The locomotives were balanced for speeds up to 110 MPH but no record has surfaced of any brave soul taking it to the limit. One night train, the Coaster, was extremely popular and one GS could handle 22 cars without any trouble. The locomotives were booster-equipped and that feature helped when starting the train quickly and smoothly. It was a 480-mile journey on the SP from San Francisco to Los Angles but the GS needed water only several times thanks to the tenders with a 23,300-gallon water capacity. Jones summed up what made the entire Daylight concept successful: “The SP was selling transportation in those days. So, when you rode on any SP train, you expected to get your money’s worth”.
Immediately after World War II, The Chesapeake & Ohio – a devoted customer of Lima Locomotive Works – considered the Daylight-style streamlined locomotives the answer to power their planned, new passenger trains of the late 1940s. Artists concepts depicted the nearly identical Daylight shell, painted red trimmed in blue, with silver accents and the cars would likewise carry that motif. Nothing came of that C&O version (but that design offers an attractive fantasy-scheme opportunity) and changes were also occurring at the same time on the SP.
By 1950 SP capitulated to diesel-electrics notably EMD class E-7, E-9 and FP7 followed by Alco class PA units and the famous GS steam locomotives were downgraded to lesser service, several finishing their days in commuter service. The name of the GS-class locomotives then became “General Service”. In 1956 locomotive #4449 was retired from service and was later donated to the City of Portland in 1958. In 1974 #4449 was removed from a city park and restored to service, later powering the American Freedom Train through the 48 contiguous United States in 1976. Since 1984, the locomotive has operated irregularly in excursion train service. Aside for #4449, the only other surviving member of the GS class is #4460, class GS-6 built for passenger and freight service, now displayed at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.
That record deserves the spotlight once again given the new production run of the GS-4 locomotives by Broadway Limited Imports. BLI is releasing the new GS-4 locomotives in the following paint schemes: SP traditional Daylight colors, SP two-tone gray for the Lark service, SP freight – black, American Freedom Train of 1976-1977 and BNSF excursion service. Highlights include:
Paragon4 Sound System
Synchronized Puffing Smoke and Chuff sound
Integral DCC Decoder for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation
Precision Mechanism for smooth operation at all speeds
5-pole can motor with skew wound armature
Heavy die cast boiler, chassis and tender body
Prototypical lighting options
Cab lights, marker lights, front number boards and rear marker lights
Accurate prototype number options
Extensive use of separately-applied details
Accurate sounds for SP 4-8-4 locomotives
Radius of 22” recommended
This is an outstanding time to consider adding one of the most popular steam locomotives in the US to your fleet of motive power. Please take time to review our preorder options and competitive pricing. Most of all, thank you for your continuing patronage.
Frank Wrabel
Modeltrainstuff.com