Steam Locomotive Fans

A fantastic shot of 4449 at speed with a full head of steam. Maynard Ross Sr.

Southern Pacific 4449 is a 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive. SP (or "Espee" as known by some) called it's 4-8-4s the GS class (which had ment "Golden State", but after a while it was changed to "General Service"). In the 1970s #4449 was restored and used to pull the American Freedom Train in 1976. During this period it wore a Red White and Blue paint scheme. After the American Freedom Train, #4449 was painted back into it's origonal orange, red, and black "Daylight" scheme. It has since been in active excursion service.

 8 classes of GS calss 4-8-4s were delivered to SP between 1930 and 1943. The first of these were 14 GS-1s, built by Baldwin in 1930. The next class, the 6 GS-2s, were the first streamlined Daylight 4-8-4s and were built by Lima. In 1937, SP recieved GS-3s. These were better than than the GS-1s and 2s, featuring 80" drivers, a 280 psi boiler operating pressure, and they were heavier. In 1941, SP recieved the zenith of the GS class, 28 GS-4s. These were like the GS-3s, only they were 7.5 tons heavier and had a boiler operating pressure of 300 psi. The GS-4s also had dual headlights featuring a sealed twin-beam and an oscilating MARS light. In 1942, SP took delivery of 2 GS-5s. Essentialy they were GS-4s, only they were slighty heavier and had roller bearings. In 1943, SP recivied it's last new passenger steamers, 10 GS-6s. Although these were from Lima like the GS-2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s, they had to adhere to wartime restrictions. They were not as good of locomotives as the GS-3s, 4s, and5s. They featured 73 inch drivers, weighed a relitivaly light 468,400 lbs, and had a 260 psi boiler pressure. They were not as elaboratly streamlined as the eralier 4-8-4s, nor were they painted in Daylight colors, they were black. When the Cotton Belt dieselized, Espee got it's 4-8-4s, which became GS-7s and GS-8s.

#4449 hauling butt through Scribner on an excursion. Maynard Ross Sr.

#4449 had a staring role in the movie "Tough Guys". Well, it wasn't really a staring role. There were a few a brief side shots of 4449 and then a scene where an HO scale model of it crashed into a mountain. When this film was made, #4449 was re-lettered "Gold Coast Limited" instead of "Daylight". After the film it was returned to "Daylight".

Southern Pacific #4449 being serviced. Maynard Ross Sr.

#4449 lives in Portland, Oregon along with Spokane Portland & Seattle #700. Recently after the 2001 Terrorist attacks, it was repainted into it's Red, White and Blue AFT paint scheme. It's currently in Daylight again.

A few years ago, 4449 was painted glossy black and adorned with BNSF heralds to pull the BNSF Employee Appreciation Special. Pentrex makes a video/DVD of this excursion and I must says it's THE BEST footage of 4449 I've ever seen. You even get to hear the rarely used Air Horn!

The roundhouse 4449, 700 and Doyle McCormick's other equipment are housed in is schedueled for demolition by the UP. The railroad is giving him 2 years to relocate to another suitable spot.

Modeling Tips:

Bachmann made an HO scale GS-4 a while ago. They are currently working on a Spectrum version. MTH and Lionel both make Daylight GS-4s in O scale, and brass maunfactuers produce GS class 4-8-4s in various scales as well. Con-Cor produces a GS-4 in N scale.