A RARE SIGHTING—The Southern Pacific GS-4 “Daylight” Steam Engine was recently in Michigan City, Ind. during a layover before continuing on its way to Durand, Mich. Andrew Kersting (pictured) said, “I thought this would be a wonderful time to get a photo of the Squire in front of such a beautiful locomotive... I’m sure you will agree!”
Southern Pacific 4449 is the only surviving example of Southern Pacific Railroad’s (SP) GS-4 class of steam locomotives. The GS-4 is a streamlined 4-8-4 (Northern) type steam locomotive. The locomotive was built by Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio, for SP in May 1941. It received the red-and-orange “Daylight” paint scheme for the passenger trains of the same name which it hauled for most of its service career. The 4449 was retired from revenue service in 1957 and put on static display in Oaks Park, Portland, Oregon, the following year, where it remained until 1974. It was restored to operation for use in the second American Freedom Train, which toured the 48 contiguous United States for the American Bicentennial celebrations. The 4449 has traveled over 2,250 miles across country for the Trainfest event in Owasso, Mich. For more photos of the SP 4449 please visit Kersting’s website at www.TracksideAcrossAmerica.com.
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