This engine is a product of Lima Locomotive Works in Lima, Ohio. She was erected in the year of 1941. It is the only surviver of the GS-4 Class Locomotives. It is of the 4-8-4 wheel configuration, and has 80-inch drivers.

I understand a gentleman by the name of Doyle McCormick spearheaded the restoration of this magnificant machine, and Doyle is her main engineer. I am a steam locomotive chaser, and this locomotive came through Mount Vernon, Washington about 1996. When she cleared town and headed for the tracks that have a 79 mile per hour speed limit, she out-ran me because the I-5 freeway traffic was locked in at about 75 MPH that day.

She made another trip through Washington State in March of this year.

Here is a picture of her in the orginal "Daylight Express" colors in 1998.

Credit for the pictures goes to "Friends of SP-4449" website. http://www.4449.com/

Engine Specifications

Length: 101' 5" Height 16' 2" Width 10' 10"

Drivers: 80" Dia. Weight on Drivers: 275,700 lb.

Locomotive Weight: 475,000 lb. Locomotive & Tender Weight: 865,758 lb.

Cylinders: (2) 25.5" x 32" Tractive Effort: 64,800 lb. Tractive Effort with Booster: 77,760 lb.

Tender Capacity, Water: 23,300 gals. Tender Capacity, Fuel Oil : 5,880 gals.

Impressive, huh? If the specifications were dry weight, and you add the weight of the fuel oil a and water, this machine weighs a total of about 549.5 tons.

Josh, this engine was pulling the "American Freedom" train that came through Fargo, North Dakota in 1975. Ask your dad, he might remember it. As with everywhere else, the whole town probably turned out to see it rumble through.

 |  IP: Logged