Southern Pacific Daylights in the Steam Era | Railfan Depot

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** 80 min. DVD "Southern Pacific Daylight Collection", rfd.video/SPDaylight
** About this video: With an emphasis on sheer riding comfort, Southern Pacific’s famous Daylight trains transported thousands of passengers along the California coast. The DVD documentary contains never-seen-before footage. Get it here: rfd.video/SPDaylight
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[@West_Coast_Gang]

The daylight had the best livery and those coaches were great.

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, that livery is *both* pretty and powerful! Thanks for watching. -DeAnn

[@jacksalvin364]

Southern Pacific Daylights.

[@davidstrawn9272]

Don't forget there's a preserved Daylight locomotive that was restored and still operational and that is 4449!

[@Railfandepot]

Oh yes, and it runs fairly often! We'll do a video on the 4449 one of these days. -DeAnn

[@davidstrawn9272]

@@Railfandepot That would be nice! :)

[@s.leemccauley7302]

@@Railfandepot I was fortunate enough to ride on a day light special pulled by this engine from El Paso to Tucson back in the early 80's. Thrill of a lifetime for sure.

[@Railfandepot]

@@s.leemccauley7302 Thanks for sharing a great memory! :-) -DeAnn

[@Cyberknight189]

My favorite train

[@cjuuljohnston]

You, pretty in blue ✝️👍🌹.. Thank you for another fantastic video.. Beautiful scenery..

[@Railfandepot]

🙋 Hi there Christina!! 👩 -DeAnn

[@NormanSilv]

I lived on he mainline north of Glendale. SP reigned supreme over our back fence.

[@robertpedell2837]

The Great Southern Pacific RR !!!! A First Class American Railroad 👏 and those Lima Steam Locomotives just Beautiful! 😘

[@tommythomason6187]

They are the most beautiful passenger trains to ever operate in the United States. They looked even better when headed up by ALCO PAs in the red, orange and black scheme. Southern Pacific went from going all out for the passengers, to wanting the passengers gone.

[@Railfandepot]

That paint scheme, still alive today on the 4449, is a beautiful - and appropriate to the era and purpose - gift of history. -DeAnn

[@K-Effect]

I could watch this all day

[@Railfandepot]

Please do! :-) -DeAnn

[@jarrietfair6497]

What a beautiful train ❤️ love this southern Pacific daylight. She's beautiful. The mother of all southern Pacific locomotives

[@Railfandepot]

Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

[@bcgrittner]

Love those Daylights, especially the GS series locomotives in the lead. I have an HO Daylight train with Athearn cars and a Bachmann Plus GS-4. It's an approximation, at best, but I do enjoy it. The diesels I have are Athearn F-7's and then I switched to the more correct Alco PA's ( all in the Daylight paint scheme, of course ). Loved the video. Count me in.

[@Railfandepot]

Thanks for watching! We're glad to have you. -DeAnn

[@paulhare662]

Just bought a Piko Daylight set in G Scale. Not accurate but very pretty.

[@cjuuljohnston]

This was a pretty train too 👉Norfolk Southern F9A #4271 Car Special (2008). An added touch of countersunk lights into the nose which provides a very nice look to the unit.

[@judisweetenburg8128]

This is my son's favorite train

[@cjuuljohnston]

I really liked the oscillating light,(in my younger days 🥴).. Here's the information I found, but you guys already know that.. Some roads "like Santa Fe" only used oscillating headlights on passenger power, so when passenger trains went away, no new power was ordered with oscillating lights, and existing power was gradually retired or had the lights removed. The lights are a "moving part" that has to be maintained, and if it's on the locomotive, it has to be maintained in operating condition or it's a "defect" that takes the locomotive out of service. I've heard that's what finally convinced SP to dump their oscillating lights, rather than any influence from Santa Fe.

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, it is interesting how different railroads made these different decisions. One railroad might decide that a "Mars" light for instance was required, and needed, safety equipment...and another railroad not at all! One railroad might run high hood forward (Southern??) while everyone else scorned that practice! Of course now there are far fewer railroads and so far fewer differences. A shame really. -DeAnn

[@Duececoupe]

Love "my" Milwaukee Road, but I need to get this one! 😍🥰😎 Greetings from a Swede in Glasgow, Scotland....👋🏻

[@Railfandepot]

Greetings from America. From Indianapolis specifically - the home of the Indianapolis 500 race. Both Sweden *and* Glasgow are on my Gotta See list! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@kevinb9327]

Indeed. They were the most attractive livery, too!

[@Railfandepot]

It is indeed a beautiful paint scheme. And one that was quite attuned to a steam engine's lines. -DeAnn

[@garryferrington811]

Best-looking American engines and trains.

[@Railfandepot]

You'll get some argument from those who favor other railroads...like the Southern's Crescent Green steam locomotives, but, yeah... most people agree with you. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

[@bladerjefu1728]

If only 4449 can run through the coast line again it'll be history happening again but sadly cant anymore. Also id like to see doyle and the crew get 4460 even though she is not painted in daylight colors she represent the gs-2s and gs-3s very nicely.

[@Railfandepot]

Agreed! Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

[@jafar9731]

We take so many things for granted not aware that one day these great trains would be gone forever. :-(

[@Railfandepot]

So true. So very true. When I think I think of all the trains I should have photographed.... sigh. -Tim

[@robertmoir5695]

Thank you for sharing this video I wish I could see the whole thing

[@Railfandepot]

Glad you enjoyed it! You can see the whole thing, check out the link below. -DeAnn rfd.video/SPDaylight

[@jackross5179]

Nice job, thanks.

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@traditionallarry5378]

Great steam video thanks

[@Railfandepot]

Happy to oblige. :-) -DeAnn

[@gunny8978]

Awesome video and its not Sunday but I got a cup of ☕ enjoyed watching and have watched several other videos and subscribed to your channel my compliments

[@Railfandepot]

Sorry for the very late reply. KZbin didn't tell me you had commented.😠 Thank you for the compliment 😀 and thank you for watching! We've got new videos up now and more in the editing bay. -DeAnn

[@trevormaxwell8134]

Impressive and amazing

[@Railfandepot]

I agree. Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

The SP Daylight passenger trains were very handsome looking passenger consists with their featured "daylight" paint scheme, they were lead by the equally attractive GS 2,3,4 and 5 class 4-8-4 type locomotives. I am glad that SP 4449 still exists along with engine 4460 (GS 6), however I do wish that at least one GS-(2 or 3) class engine would have been preserved for display, the "single headlight" daylight style locomotive has a unique appearance from my personal judgement.

[@williammeszaros1671]

Lima locomotive made some beautiful steam power ahead of its time Bill

[@keonikaig9247]

Sooo beautifully classis... Thank you for sharing ..😎

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@piedmontrailfan81]

So you’re telling me... the daylight, a Steam engine in the 50s could reach speeds of 110 mph while the modern GE P42 can only reach 10 more than that?

[@Railfandepot]

Yes. :-) That's the simple answer. Speed was more of a goal then...and of course track was maintained to meet that goal. -Tim

[@piedmontrailfan81]

Yes I guess so. At least they are working on reducing pollution

[@cristop9977]

Daylight is the Best staem train and the Best southern paciflc train

[@Railfandepot]

Thanks so much for watching! -DeAnn

[@the305hauler]

Wow, awesome 👌 👏 Booyah, 👊😁👍🇺🇲

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@edwardfoehring8827]

Trains are hot and so are you Deann

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you for the compliment. For an old gal, I can still clean up good. :-) -DeAnn

[@edwardfoehring8827]

@@Railfandepot old I thought you were 35 yrs old

[@Railfandepot]

@@edwardfoehring8827 A lady never reveals her age, but, kind sir,...I may have passed 35 a few years ago. :-) -DeAnn

[@christopherorourke6543]

Very great & enjoyable video. I have the Kato N scale Daylight locomotive number 4449 & the 10 car Southern Pacific Morning Daylight train set that is used as my excursion train on my N scale Pacific West Coast model railroad. Daylight steam locomotive GS-4 number 4449 is one of my three most favorite steam locomotives, the other two are Southern Pacific AC-12 Cab forward number 4294 that is on display at the nations very best railroad museum-the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento & the other one is the J class 4-8-4 number 611 that was built by the Norfolk & Western railroad at their Roanoke, VA shops.

[@Railfandepot]

Full size an in 1/160th size - the Daylight is a beautiful passenger set! Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@scotteakins7203]

They were Flashy, Eye Catching, & Fast. But beautiful? Guess that's for the eye of the beholder.

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, most definitely. Another train set I would call beautiful would be the old Milwaukee Road Hiawatha trains. Do you have a train in mind? -DeAnn

[@scotteakins7203]

@@Railfandepot I'm from the midwest. Yes Milwaukee Roads Hiawatha was eye catching too. But I was always partial to the Art Deco era. The Burlington Zephyr was very flashy. Guess I just like shiny things. Lol

[@Railfandepot]

@@scotteakins7203 I've seen the Zephyr at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago - it is very shiny! I do love the Art Deco fluting. I think they have the Pioneer Zephyr train set on display? -DeAnn

[@bboomer1948]

Todays ugly Amtrak locomotives cannot hold a candle to the SP locomotives, steam or diesel. Born in '48 in Glendale, lived in Burbank in the early 50's when these GS-4's could be heard at RR crossings in the distance at night. They lulled me to sleep. The most beautiful 'sounding ' locomotives ever.

[@Railfandepot]

They sound good, they look good, they ran good...but I have to say these brand new Amtrak "Charger" locomotives, especially in nearly all black have grabbed my attention. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/300-301-HQ-M.Donnelly-1229-scaled.jpg

[@curailproductions7636]

Nice

[@insomniac2233]

Another interesting video! Lima locomotives at their best! Thanks.

[@Railfandepot]

Yep... a Lima-built! From Lima, Ohio to San Francisco, California. -Tim

[@cats0182]

When SP still wanted to haul passengers.

[@Railfandepot]

When the railroads of America could compete with autos and planes. It was serious money then and so serious business too! Thanks for watching! -DeAnn

[@ellisjackson336]

If it’s running up and down the coast of California, it’s gotta be pretty

[@MichaelBryce1125]

She the Daylight is the train with the Most Bueaty.

[@Railfandepot]

It is indeed a beautiful train set! -DeAnn

[@TofsrudCubing]

THERE WAS MORE THAN 1 DAYLIGHT!?! why did I not notice at first

[@drakbar5957]

So weird to hear the southbound Daylight called “eastbound”, and the northbound called “westbound”. Look at a map; LA is further east and SF is further west.

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, but as I suspect you know, direction on a railroad is not dictated by a map, but rather by the ultimate direction of the track. Something can be "Railroad East" and still be south on a map. -Tim

[@West_Coast_Gang]

Subbed

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you so much! We have more shows in the works. -DeAnn

[@kevinmcguire3715]

At 5:30 it shows Santa Clara station .It still looks much the same.

[@Railfandepot]

Thank you for that. It's nice to know. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@MililaniJag]

@2:26 what the heck is that guy reaching for? Cheers!

[@Railfandepot]

Good catch! And good question! He's halfway out the window! -DeAnn

[@theoldbayrailfan]

It’s my favorite train

[@Railfandepot]

It is a beautiful train, no doubt about that. -DeAnn

[@theoldbayrailfan]

Can you do a video of a cab ride of the Maryland Midland

[@Railfandepot]

@@theoldbayrailfan I'll look,but I'm not sure our archive includes a cab ride on the MM. -Tim

[@theoldbayrailfan]

Ok

[@user-nv6qv5qy7p]

Do you know that the Southern Pacific daylight 4449 has a 6 chime?

[@blehtbh]

flying scottman: am i a joke to u

[@Railfandepot]

Oh, my... the Flying Scotsman is indeed a beautiful locomotive, especially with a matched set of cars lined up behind her!! -DeAnn

[@blehtbh]

@@Railfandepot ik

[@Hobbytrem]

What was the manufacturer of those marvels?

[@cjuuljohnston]

I always wondered what happened to the caboose, (remember my brother worked on the railroad Santa Fe for 17 years).. Cabooses were used on every freight train in the United States until the1980s, when safety laws requiring the presence of cabooses and full crews were relaxed. Developments in monitoring and safety technology, such as lineside defect detectors and end-of-train devices, resulted in crew reductions and the phasing out of caboose cars. "Nowadays" however, they are generally only used on rail maintenance or hazardous materials trains, as a platform for crew on industrial spur lines when it is required to make long reverse movements, or on heritage and tourist railroads..

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, Christina, you got it right...now only on long back up moves is a caboose required. Though you can still find a "transfer" caboose still being used on a regular basis in large urban areas when trains run between yards and such. -DeAnn

[@elleryparsons5766]

Are some of those southern Pacific Engine Oil Burners?

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, because of laws in some of the bigger cities, the many tunnels (and Cab Forwards), the SP had many oil burners. -Tim (Sorry for the delay in answering.)

[@pqhkr2002]

1:49, Is this the Bayshore yard? And is the commuter train the Caltrain today?

[@Railfandepot]

I believe this is the yard at the SP's Mission Bay facility...is that the same as the Bayshore Yard? I'm not an SP/Caltrain expert. -Tim

[@pqhkr2002]

@@Railfandepot Just did a search and went to Google Earth, the oldest image for SF is 1938. The Mission Bay facility and Bayshore yard are not the same place. The Mission Bay facility located at south east of Mission Creek Channel, there was a round house, and some tracks to store locos and cars. It's not a big facility. www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=MISSION_BAY Bayshore yard is right out of SF, and now I think I can confirm 1:49 is Bayshore yard. www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/southern-pacific-bayshore-rail-yard-1969.49573/

[@Railfandepot]

@@pqhkr2002 Cool! Thank you for the information. I'll keep that in my back pocket for further use! :-) -Tim

[@asbmp]

Are you actually shooting close by the trains or is it all done behind the green screen?

[@DLouie21]

lol

[@Railfandepot]

When DeAnn appears in the video with the train, she is in from of a green screen. Actually it is a green wall. Not only is she not old enough to appear in front of trains from the 1950s, but that would be dangerous to be that close. :-) -Tim (Video Editor)

[@asbmp]

@@Railfandepot what program are you guys using to edit videos. Primarily use Adobe premiere pro which it is the industry standard for film. I'm having issues with my model trains not coming out correctly when running them in front of the green screen. I'm getting a lot of image noise every time i shoot in front of the green screen.

[@Railfandepot]

@@asbmp Green screen can be tough sometimes. We use Vegas Pro. I've used Avid and Premiere, but for my current work Vegas Pro is the right mix of expensive and features. :-) I found the videos below to be excellent on green screen technique. -Tim kzbin.info/www/bejne/f560qWSBiKaCd80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXq7iKGKrr6Slbc kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXmbhYqKqZpkjZo

[@pqhkr2002]

@@Railfandepot Actually watch carefully, a bit green color can be seen on the contour of her face.

[@UPRR_844]

Are these Trains still used

[@Railfandepot]

Southern Pacific "Daylight" 4449 is owned by the city of Portland (Oregon) and is preserved and operational. She is used for excursions, but I do not believe has access to an entire train set of matching Daylight passenger cars. Otherwise, no, these passenger trains are no longer running. Thank you for watching! -DeAnn

[@Rebel9668]

Oh, they look nice, but I'll always be partial to Norfolk & Western's J's and their maroon coaches.

[@Railfandepot]

Those J's did look awfully good! And 611 still does! :-) -DeAnn

[@MojaveNarrows]

Are you the same company as Pentrex?

[@Railfandepot]

Nope. Different company. Same hometown now, but different company. -Tim

[@helenaarnold4734]

sp 4449

[@helenaarnold4734]

so 4449

[@cristop9977]

Daylight is not good with one light

[@Railfandepot]

Yes, but Daylight is good operating under steam! :-) -DeAnn

[@jslasher1]

Great video. Too bad about that woman who speaks in the most revolting American accent.