Southern Pacific class GS-5

The GS-5 was a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive that served the Southern Pacific Company from 1942 to 1958. Two locomotives were built by the Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4458 and 4459. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

Southern Pacific GS-5
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderLima Locomotive Works
Serial number7856, 7857
Build dateMay–June 1942
Total produced2
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 load69,600 lb (31,570.0 kilograms; 31.6 metric tons)
Adhesive weight278,700 lb (126,400 kg; 126.4 t)
Loco weight483,200 lb (219,200 kg; 219.2 t)
Total weight796,930 lb (361,480 kg; 361.48 t)
Fuel typeFuel oil
Fuel capacity6,275 US gal (23,750 l; 5,225 imp gal)
Water cap23,300 US gal (88,000 l; 19,400 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		388 sq ft (36.0 m2)
Boiler pressure300 psi (2.07 MPa)
Heating surface4,890 sq ft (454 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area1,834 sq ft (170.4 m2)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size25 1⁄2 in (648 mm), stroke?
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Tractive effort64,800 lbf (288.24 kN), 78,000 lbf (346.96 kN) with booster
Career
OperatorsSouthern Pacific
ClassGS-5
Numbers4458, 4459
First runJune 1942
Retired1958
DispositionBoth scrapped

The GS-5s are identical in appearance to the GS-4s, the only difference being the roller bearings that gave the locomotive a smoother ride and added weight. 4458 had roller bearings from the Timken Company and 4459 used SKF brand roller bearings. They had a silver smokebox with a dual-headlight casing (top headlight was a mars light), and an enclosed, all-weather cab. It retained the skyline casing on the top of the boiler, skirting on the sides, an air horn (for use at speeds due to being louder than the whistle which was rarely if ever used on the main line) and teardrop classification lights. They received the orange and red "Daylight" paint scheme. The GS-5's were designed for high-speed passenger service on Southern Pacific's premier passenger trains, the Coast Daylight, San Joaquin Daylight and Sunset Limited. In later years they were painted black and had their side skirting removed for easier maintenance. The GS-5s were considered the best of the GS series and ended their careers on Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Valley line.

Neither of the two GS-5's survive after running well over a million miles. Surviving GS-4 4449 was equipped with roller bearings on the lead truck, trailing truck and tender (But not the main axles or rods) in 2008 and therefore shares some of the same characteristics as a GS-5. The roller bearings on the two GS-5's were so successful that when both #4458 and #4459 were scrapped, they were examined after those many miles and showed minimal wear after all those miles.

Locomotive #4458 was known as the pinnacle of steam power on the Southern Pacific Lines, and lasted in service the longest, pulling the ever popular Valley Daylight until late 1956.

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.
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