The image of a bright orange and red projectile, with accents of silver and black, still rockets through the minds of many familiar with the iconic Southern Pacific Daylight trains, inaugurated in 1937. The mission of the Daylight-themed trains was to propel the passenger service of the Southern Pacific from dated practice and the depths of the Great Depression, to a new, unheard of level of luxury, style and speed. Southern Pacific was largely responsible for the commercial growth and transportation needs of the West Coast and that commanding legend was further enhanced by the great new era in passenger train innovation that the Daylight introduced. Long-time SP President B.F. Biaggini – a railroad executive not prone to sentiment – effectively recalled the train and the era during an interview in 1971: “People were concerned about the romance and beauty of watching that plume of black smoke and white steam against the blue sky…and we thought that was great stuff!”
That memorable image 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 resolutely steam-minded and accordingly, disdained the evolving age of the diesel-electric locomotives that captivated railroad news in the early 1930s. Diesels underscored the need that all railroads had to advance in motive power design and make their passenger trains more attractive and competitive. Instead, SP turned to Lima Locomotive Works – considered to be the Cadillac of steam locomotive builders – who successfully applied the SP-designed streamlined look to the powerful 4-8-4 locomotives but left many of the signature elements of steam design – the cylinders, driving wheels and side rods exposed – and no effort to conceal the signature elements of the steam machine were compromised. Leaving those parts exposed also made maintenance sessions faster and more efficient. The first order was for six locomotives, numbers 4410-4415.
SP ordered the lightweight, streamlined passenger car fleets from well-established Pullman-Standard. The cars – 12 per train – featured many innovations including side panels making the time-consuming practice of loading passenger baggage faster. The interiors of the cars featured the high-water mark of 1930s modernism. The train’s popularity exceeded all expectations on the part of SP management that continued to upgrade equipment and by 1940, the normal consist was 14 cars and included an innovative articulated dining-lounge car. The fleet of GS-class locomotives – named “Golden State”- expanded as well 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 and nearby rival Western Pacific also purchased dual service versions from Lima Locomotive.
A little-known side story concerns the postwar interest about the GS-class Daylight-styled locomotives and streamlined trains on the part of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. The C&O was naturally loyal to coal interests, was a devoted customer of Lima Locomotive Works and 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. But executives finally opted for diesel-electrics painted an Enchantment blue and Federal yellow combination accented by silver but the new cars, painted those same colors, employed stainless steel below the belt rail as opposed to silver paint.
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. In 1983 Trains Magazine conducted a poll and the Southern Pacific GS class was voted as the most popular locomotive in the US. 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 is a basic outline of that legendary locomotive and train, presented to you to further your appreciation for one of the most fascinating industries in the world and our commitment to enhance your personal journey in model railroading. Please take time to review our current inventory and consider us your first stop for your model railroading needs.
Frank Wrabel
Modeltrainstuff.com