Southern Pacific class GS-3

The GS-3 was a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive that served the Southern Pacific Company with a top speed of 106 mph for high speed passenger trains. They operated from 1938 to 1957-1958. They were built by Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4416 through 4429. GS stands for "Golden State" (or "General Service" during World War II).

Southern Pacific GS-3
Southern Pacific GS-3 locomotives.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderLima Locomotive Works
Serial number7721–7734
Build dateOctober–December 1937
Total produced14
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-8-4
 • UIC2′D2′ h2
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia.80 in (2,032 mm)
Axle load67,000 lb (30,000 kilograms; 30 metric tons)
Adhesive weight267,300 lb (121,200 kg; 121.2 t)
Loco weight460,000 lb (210,000 kg; 210 t)
Total weight818,880 lb (371,440 kg; 371.44 t)
Fuel typeFuel oil
Fuel capacity6,010 US gal (22,800 l; 5,000 imp gal)
Water cap22,000 US gal (83,000 l; 18,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		90.4 sq ft (8.40 m2)
Boiler pressure280 psi (1.93 MPa)
Heating surface4,890 sq ft (454 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area2,565 sq ft (238.3 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size26 in × 32 in (660 mm × 813 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speedAt least 106 mph (171 km/h)
Power output5000hp at 60 mph (97 km/h)
Tractive effort62,800 lbf (279.35 kN), 76,650 lbf (340.96 kN) with booster
Career
OperatorsSouthern Pacific Company
ClassGS-3
Numbers4416–4429
First runNovember–December 1937
Retired1957
DispositionAll scrapped

Career

The popularity of the Southern Pacific Coast Daylight trains was overwhelming and prompted the Southern Pacific to initiate plans to introduce several new streamlined, lightweight trains: Noon Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight, and the Lark. A second order for 14 additional Daylight engines was placed with Lima Locomotive Works. All engines were set up upon delivery at El Paso, Texas. Number 4416 was the first and was set up on November 3, 1937. Number 4429 was last and set up on December 30, 1937. The GS-3 had an appearance similar to the GS-2, they featured a silver smokebox with a cone-shaped single headlight casing, skyline casing on the top of the boiler, skirting on the sides, an air horn to supplement the whistle and teardrop classification lights. The only significant difference in appearance was the increase in driver size.

They received the orange and red "Daylight" paint scheme. They were primarily used on Southern Pacific's premier passenger train at the time, the Coast Daylight. In later years after being replaced by newer GS-4 class engines, they were painted black, had their side skirting removed for easier maintenance, and were reassigned to the San Jose-San Francisco commuter trains, freight service, and made occasional appearances on the San Joaquin Daylight.

After retirement in 1957, thereafter, all GS-3s were scrapped. However, one wheel from the #4422, the first axle, right side, was rescued just before scrapping by William B. Fletcher. It was donated to the RailGiants Train Museum at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California where it is on display.

References
  • Church, Robert J. (2004). Southern Pacific Daylight Locomotives (1st ed.). Signature Press. ISBN 1-930013-11-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Diebert, Timothy S. & Strapac, Joseph A. (1987). Southern Pacific Company Steam Locomotive Conpendium. Shade Tree Books. ISBN 0-930742-12-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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