Southern Pacific class GS-5

Infobox Locomotive
name=SP GS-5
powertype=Steam
gauge=4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
railroad=Southern Pacific Railroad
railroadclass=GS-5
whytetype=4-8-4
firstrundate=June 1942
retiredate=1958
numinclass=2
builder=Lima Locomotive Works
roadnumber=4458, 4459
driversize=80 inch diameter
boilerpressure=300 psi
tractiveeffort=64,800 lbf, 78,000 lbf with booster
disposition=scrapped
cylindersize=25½ in dia × 32 in stroke
weight=483,200 lb
weightondrivers=278,700 lb
serialnumber=7856, 7857
builddate=May-June 1942The GS-5 was a streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive that served the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1942 to 1958. Only two locomotives were built by the Lima Locomotive Works and were numbered 4458 and 4459. GS stands for "Golden State" or "General Service."

The GS-5s are exactly identical in appearance to the GS-4s. They only difference was that they were equipped with roller bearings, which gave the locomotive a much smoother ride and added extra weight. They featured a silver smokebox with a dual-headlight casing (top headlight was a mars light), and a fully-enclosed, all-weather cab. It retained the skyline casing on the top of the boiler, skirting on the sides, an air horn, teardrop classification lights, and whistles. 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 when it came to the GS series, and ended their careers on Southern Pacific's San Joaquin Valley line.

Neither of the two GS-5 locomotives survive.

References

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