Southern Pacific GS-3 class

Southern Pacific GS-3 class
Southern Pacific's four new GS-3 locomotives Nos. 4416-4419 in 1937
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
Leading dia.36 in (914 mm)
Driver dia.80 in (2,032 mm)
Trailing dia.45+1⁄2 in (1,156 mm)
Height16 ft 4 in (4.98 m)
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)
Tender weight358,880 lb (162,790 kg; 162.79 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 cap.22,000 US gal (83,000 L; 18,000 imp gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area90.4 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
ClassGS-3
Numbers4416–4429
First runNovember–December 1937
Retired1954-1958
DispositionAll scrapped
References:[1][2]

The GS-3 was a class of streamlined 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) from 1938 to 1957. A total of fourteen were built by the Lima Locomotive Works, numbered 4416 through 4429. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

History

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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: the Noon Daylight, the 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.[3][4]

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 San Jose-San Francisco Peninsula Commute service, freight service, and made occasional appearances on the San Joaquin Daylight.[4]

GS-3 locomotive details[2]
Road number Built date Serial number First run date Retirement date Disposal date Notes
4416 October 1937 7721 November 3, 1937 April 5, 1955 June 1, 1955 Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4417 October 1937 7722 November 9, 1937 August 13, 1956 October 29, 1956 Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4418 October 1937 7723 November 9, 1937 December 10, 1957 December 12, 1958 Sold for scrap at Purdy Company in Los Angeles.
4419 October 1937 7724 November 16, 1937 May 25, 1955 July 20, 1955 Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4420 October 1937 7725 November 16, 1937 May 21, 1958 May 7, 1959 Sold for scrap to National Metals in Los Angeles.
4421 November 1937 7726 November 23, 1937 September 24, 1958 May 7, 1959 Sold for scrap at National Metals in Los Angeles.
4422 November 1937 7727 November 26, 1937 November 29, 1957 May 20, 1959 Sold for scrap at Purdy Company in Los Angeles.
4423 November 1937 7728 December 1, 1937 December 28, 1954 January 21, 1955 Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4424 November 1937 7729 December 7, 1937 September 19, 1955 November 4, 1955 Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4425 November 1937 7730 December 7, 1937 May 14, 1956 July 13, 1956 Scrapped in Los Angeles.
4426 November 1937 7731 December 18, 1937 June 12, 1956 July 18, 1956 Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Richmond, California.
4427 December 1937 7732 December 21, 1937 February 8, 1955 February 25, 1955 Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4428 December 1937 7733 December 29, 1937 September 24, 1958 April 24, 1959 Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4429 December 1937 7734 December 30, 1937 February 8, 1955 April 7, 1955 Scrapped in Sacramento, California.

Preservation

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After retirement in 1957, all GS-3s were scrapped. However, one wheel from No. 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.

Accident

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Main article: Bagley train wreck

On December 31, 1944, GS-3 4425 was hauling the Pacific Limited passenger train westbound near Bagley, Weber County, Utah when it was run into from behind by Mt-4 4361, pulling a mail express train. The first train had slowed because of a freight train ahead of it, but the second train's crew failed to see the signal in thick fog and collided with the first train at 50 mph. 50 people were killed and 81 injured in the disaster.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Johnsen (2006), p. 37.
  2. ^ a b Johnsen (2006), p. 102.
  3. ^ Dunscomb, Guy L. (1963). A Century of Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives, 1862-1962. G.L. Dunscomb. pp. 301, 309.
  4. ^ a b Solomon, Brian (2005). Southern Pacific Passenger Trains. Voyageur Press. p. 62. ISBN 9781610605076.
  5. ^ "Bagley Train Wreck, Bagley, Weber County, Utah - December 31, 1944". www.genealogybuff.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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  • Church, Robert J. (2004). Southern Pacific Daylight Locomotives (1st ed.). Signature Press. ISBN 1-930013-11-6.
  • 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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