Southern Pacific GS-3 class

Last updated
Southern Pacific GS-3 class
Southern Pacific GS-3 locomotives.JPG
Southern Pacific's four new GS-3 locomotives Nos. 4416-4419 in 1937
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
Builder Lima Locomotive Works
Serial number7721–7734
Build dateOctober–December 1937
Total produced14
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  Whyte 4-8-4
 •  UIC 2′D2′ h2
Gauge 4 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 load 67,000 lb (30,000 kilograms; 30 metric tons)
Adhesive weight 267,300 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 type Fuel 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)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 26 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 effort 62,800 lbf (279.35 kN), 76,650 lbf (340.96 kN) with booster
Career
Operators Southern Pacific
Class GS-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."

Contents

History

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 numberBuilt dateSerial numberFirst run dateRetirement dateDisposal dateNotes
4416October 19377721November 3, 1937April 5, 1955June 1, 1955Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4417October 19377722November 9, 1937August 13, 1956October 29, 1956Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4418October 19377723November 9, 1937December 10, 1957December 12, 1958Sold for scrap at Purdy Company in Los Angeles.
4419October 19377724November 16, 1937May 25, 1955July 20, 1955Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4420October 19377725November 16, 1937May 21, 1958May 7, 1959Sold for scrap to National Metals in Los Angeles.
4421November 19377726November 23, 1937September 24, 1958May 7, 1959Sold for scrap at National Metals in Los Angeles.
4422November 19377727November 26, 1937November 29, 1957May 20, 1959Sold for scrap at Purdy Company in Los Angeles.
4423November 19377728December 1, 1937December 28, 1954January 21, 1955Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4424November 19377729December 7, 1937September 19, 1955November 4, 1955Scrapped in Sacramento, California.
4425November 19377730December 7, 1937May 14, 1956July 13, 1956Scrapped in Los Angeles.
4426November 19377731December 18, 1937June 12, 1956July 18, 1956Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Richmond, California.
4427December 19377732December 21, 1937February 8, 1955February 25, 1955Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4428December 19377733December 29, 1937September 24, 1958April 24, 1959Sold for scrap at Luria Brothers in Los Angeles.
4429December 19377734December 30, 1937February 8, 1955April 7, 1955Scrapped in Sacramento, California.

Preservation

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

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

  1. ↑ Johnsen (2006), p. 37.
  2. 1 2 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. 1 2 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

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.