Southern Pacific Class GS-4

The Lima-Southern Pacific GS-4 ("GS" meaning for "Golden State" or "General Service") is a type of semi-streamlined 4-8-4 Northern steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works in 1941 and 1942 specifically for the Southern Pacific (SP) Railroad. They were assigned road numbers 4430 through 4457.
==History==
The GS-4s were principally employed on SP's famous "Daylight" streamliners from 1941, but in later years they were relegated to commuter and standby freight service. Passenger trains were still the prime mode of transport in the Southwestern US at that time, when most interstates and airports had not yet been fully-established. Railroads such as the SP, UP, ATSF, and WP thus operated high-speed steam and diesel-powered passenger trains throughout Arizona, Texas, Nevada, California, New Mexico, and parts of Wyoming on the vast emptiness between population centers.
As the 1950's progressed, the GS-4s were replaced on the main passenger runs by EMD E Series and ALCO PA Series diesel locomotives, while F Series freight-units were used as "spare units" when they were all first ordered. In 1956, nearly all GS-4 engines had their streamlining removed and were repainted black for commuter service, principally in California. The last revenue passenger train hauled by a GS-4 ran in January 1957. However, 4443 pulled some of the last excursion specials for SP. 
==Accidents and Incidents==
*In the days of steam, Southern Pacific GS-4 No. 4446 had collided with the Lark in a siding at Donner Pass on September 13, 1941.image for when SP 4446 collided with the Lark in a siding here: https://www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/fps858/a_couple_months_and_what_a_mess_sp_4446_crashed/Article on Trainorder.com with the crash:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,909364
==SP 4449==
The only surviving locomotive of this class is the SP 4449. It is arguably one of the most recognizable, famous, and iconic locomotives of all time.
4449 was originally donated to Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon, in 1958; which is where she remained for many years long before operating steam excursions. In December 1974, 4449 was eventually moved from Oaks Park to undergo restoration (overhaul), which green-lit 4449 a chance to haul steam excursions. From August 1975 to December 1976, 4449 began his new career by having shared duties with several other steam locomotives pulling the American Freedom Train throughout the U.S during the bicentennial anniversary celebrations.
4449 is currently still operational. It currently resides at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland along with many other preserved locomotives and rolling stock; aside from occasionally operating steam excursions; aside from having several doubleheader excursions with UP 844 recently in 2007 and 2008 and SP&S 700 in 2003 and 2005.
==Specifications==
Their 80" driver diameter and 90 square foot firegrate area gave them a top speed of 110 miles per hour, though speed limits rarely exceeded 75 mph.
==Trivia==
*Leslie A-200-156 Tyfon air-horns were fitted with most of SP's GS Series steam locomotives (as well as the majority of their modern steamer fleet) to be used as "spare" whistles, in case pedestrians weren't able to hear the steam whistles equipped from the outset.
*They were also equipped with Southern Pacific 6-chime and Hancock 3-chime whistles; along with that, No. 4449 has also sported a Hancock 3 chime.
*One of the passenger trains pulled by a Streamlined locomotive was Based of a SP GS-4 from Everyone's Hero (2006).
== Locomotive Roster==
===First Batch in 1941 (4430-4449) ===
Loco No.	Image 	Build date(s)	Retirement date(s) 	Restoration date(s)	Status 	Notes
4430 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4431 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4432 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4433 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4434 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4435 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4436 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4437 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4438 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4439 	 	April 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4440 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4441 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4442 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4443 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4444 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4445 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4446 	https://www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/18b2aj9/the_coast_mail_oxnard_ca_william_fahey_jr_photo/	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	Involved in a collision with the Lark in a siding at Donner Pass, repaired, put back into service and was scrapped.
4447 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4448 	 	May 1941 	- 	- 	Scrapped 	-
4449 	 	May 20, 1941 	October 2, 1957 (revenue service)	April 21, 1975 	Operational, based in The City of Portland, Oregon	Currently under ownership of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center
===Second Batch in 1942 (4450-4457)===
Loco No.	Image 	Build date(s)	Retirement date(s)	Status 	Notes
4450 	https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/locomotive/images/a/af/4450_sp-steam-gs04-byron_bostwick.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20220814153731	March 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4451 	 	March 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4452 	 	March 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4453 	 	March 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4454 	 	April 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4455 	 	April 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4456 	 	April 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
4457 	150x150px 	April 1942 	- 	Scrapped	-
==Gallery==
* Gallery
==References==
==External links==
*Freedomtrain.org
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:Southern Pacific locomotives
Category:Lima locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:4-8-4 steam locomotives
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Category:4-8-4 locomotives
Category:Streamlined locomotives
Category:Built in 1941
Category:Built in 1942
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Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:4 foot 8 1⁄2 inch gauge
Category:American steam locomotives
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:Sole survivor
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Category:American steam locomotives
Category:American locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives of the United States
Category:Southern Pacific GS Series