The Southern Pacific's Sunshine Streamline Steam Engine - GS-4 "4449"

In today's video, we take a look at the iconic GS-4's of the Southern Pacific Railroad, mostly because someone paid me to.
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This video falls under the fair use act of 1976 This video is available to use under the appropriate Creative Commons Licence.
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[@rmstitanic89]

Thank you so much for taking a look at the 4449! I've ridden in the cab of this iconic locomotive and I gotta say it's a bucket list experience! My absolute favorite steamer of all time! To add some detail regarding the horn. The GS2 through GS6-class locomotives had a bell and whistle but were also outfitted with horns since their west coast routes were frequently inundated with sea fog. In these conditions the horn worked better for warning any road and pedestrian traffic ahead that the train was coming. Sadly, SP GS-4 #4449 is the only surviving locomotive and was the last GS-4 ordered by the Southern Pacific Railroad. One other GS-class locomotive is in preservation but is not in operating condition: SP GS-6 #4460, which never carried the orange, red, and black Daylight livery and skirting. This locomotive is on display at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri.

[@trainlover16]

I’m very happy for you. I’d like to know your opinion; Would you consider 4449 or 844 to be the American equivalent of Flying Scotsman?

[@rmstitanic89]

@@trainlover16 thank you! Hmmm I have to ask in what way are we comparing those two to the Scotsman? If we’re talking fame or notoriety I’d say the SP 4449, UP 844, and perhaps the N&W 611 or even AT&SF 3751 to be some of the most known out of operable steam locomotives in the US today. All four happen to be Northern-type locomotives utilizing the 4-8-4 wheel arrangement and were primarily intended for passenger services. I’m clearly biased, but if I were to pick one out of the group to be the US equivalent to the Scotsman then I would go with the SP 4449.

[@TrolololGaming]

There's a GS3 at rail giants

[@rmstitanic89]

@@TrolololGaming SP’s GS-3s were all retired by 1957 and were subsequently scrapped.

[@trainlover16]

@@rmstitanic89 Yep, I was talking in that sense. And alright, if that’s your opinion.

[@PowerTrain611]

4449 was in really bad shape when they pulled it for restoration. It really was quite a feat for them to restore it the way they did. A real testament to hard work and dedication.

[@dathotac3496]

“Sometimes just being yourself is enough!” Damn who knew I’d get inspired from a steam loco

[@williamadams7865]

Probably worthwhile mentioning that the South Australian Railways used the Daylight styling on their 500 class 4-8-4s, but mainly painted green. These engines were used on The Overland express train (a service still running today). One of these engines has been preserved at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide, South Australia. The South Australian Railways also copied the PRR T1 streamlining for their 520 class 4-8-4s, two of which are preserved and one is currently under restoration to running order.

[@bruhmp]

The styling on the side of the 500 class were done in the late 20s like 1929 and 1930 way before the gs1s were even made.

[@sharkymcsharknose2979]

Check out the NSW C38 and the New Haven I-5 classes. I don't know if one influenced the other but they have very similar styling.

[@russellgxy2905]

@@bruhmp I believe William was referring to the sideskirting fitted to the 500's in the late-30s. The GS-2's would've been around at that time for inspiration. They 500's even had their headlights moved to the center-smokebox like the GS-2's. The smokebox color seems to have carried over too even if the smokebox itself wasn't streamlined, which does match the GS-1 oddly enough I knew about the sharknose styling of the T1's being used on the 520 class, but I didn't even know the 500s were semi-streamlined until checking just now

[@LukeLovesTrains-Mr.RailYard]

This is one of the world's most iconic steam locomotives. 4449 is a childhood favorite of mine. I'm glad that you could talk about this locomotive.

[@Running-with-skizers]

The GS 4s had both a steam whistle and an air horn the air horn was used for running along the coastal routes because the sound would cut through the fog better than a whistle could

[@JOEMAMA_534]

They mostly used the whistles for crew communications.

[@Running-with-skizers]

@@JOEMAMA_534 never knew that thanks man

[@bnsflover7062]

Fun fact: The 2and head lap is a marslight of which it's for warning motorists and predations, as it rotates side to side The air horn was also for foggy conditions and Since the locomotive goes at high speed, The air horn would be heard more clear and heard farther away than the whistle, even in the thick foggy conditions.

[@mikehawk2003]

The horn was used in nearly every situation over the whistle, and the Mars Safety Lights rotated in a figure 8 pattern.

[@redwolfcorprevamped8266]

The Daylight locomotives are gorgeous. Maybe sometime in the future you could talk about N&W 611? Daylight and Spirit of Roanoke are really the only streamlined steamers left here in the states, while it seems like there's a lot more in Great Britain.

[@russellgxy2905]

There's footage of one of the GS-4's running ~90 mph and it's one of the best things ever. Minor thing about the GS-5's, the difference came from not just having different roller bearings, but having rollers on every axle. The previous GS's from what I understand had rollers on every axle _except_ the driving axle, which made sense given the speed restrictions and the high-stepping 80 in driving wheels of the GS-3's and 4's. Funnily enough, one of the GS-5's, 4458, was the last one to work a Daylight train in 1956, and is was rumored to be right behind 4449 when it was saved. The choice came down to the fact that 4449 was the furthest up in the siding so would've been the easiest to move

[@ThatScottishAtlantic57]

"Who payed me to talk about this subject while i was flinging wooden trains at a wall during a livestream." That's one way to get a video idea!

[@Scagguy4014]

Great video ! The GS class has always been a favorite of mine!

[@Arkay315]

It's a quite magnificent locomotive.

[@joshuaW5621]

And right as I finish my mocks, this video pops up.

[@roanneabe7552]

Some small nit picks I have about the video 0:39 It pronounced Li-ma (as in lie-ma) 0:58 It not a extra headlamp its a MARS light 1:02 they did have a steam whistle but that was for crew communication 1:49 they were also painted in black during WWII hence their other nickname of "War Babies" but they didn't have their side skirts removed other than that its a very good video

[@garryferrington811]

I saw this engine pull into Owosso, Michigan. What a sight! It stopped next to 2-8-4's 765 and 1225. Several smaller engines were there as well. All of the engines steaming! It was a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[@railwayjade]

A true beauty! I was shocked when I initially heard a diesel horn instead of steam some years ago lol

[@crazysdk]

The airhorns were actually because of the coastal fog in the area they ran in. Easier to hear in the fog. If I'm not mistaken, there's a story that a retired railroad worker periodically put lube in the bearings while it was on display and that's the only reason it was a candidate for restoration.

[@mrsaturngamingandstories]

The GS Locomotives still has Whistles

[@EerierFish16]

Have*

[@thesudriana016]

This is another favorite American steam locomotive of mine. I always have fond memories of seeing it on various childhood train-related VHS/DVDs, most notably I Love Toy Trains. The engine itself is the favorite of the creator of TM Books' son, Jeff McComas. And why wouldn't it be a fan-favorite? This locomotive is the most beautiful one in the world, like Flying Scotsman as the most famous and Mallard being the most fastest. If Silver Band was to bring 4449 Daylight in his Thomas & the Railtours series (only time would tell though), imagine James' reaction to his massive popularity and becoming rather jealous of him.

[@1685Violin]

Silver Band did eventually make an episode featuring _Daylight_ in _James and Daisy Meet Their Match_ . Meaning, it also featured Daisy.

[@philipdahl9001]

I had the pleasure of seeing this locomotive on it's trip through Montana a few years ago.

[@Drockthe3rd]

The story of how the Daylight was donated to Portland is interesting. A.B. Clancy had a meeting with the president of the SP Donald J Russell on board the business car "Sunset" and the topic was steam preservation. Clancy wanted a GS 4-8-4 to be donated, and after some progress, got approval. 4449 was chosen as it would take the least amount of switching moves to conduct, and was delivered to Oaks Park on April 22, 1958. Also, before the Oregon Rail Heritage Center was constructed, this locomotive was kept at the former SP Brooklyn roundhouse before it was demolished

[@WynterStormYT]

When I was younger, I had a VHS tape of a (abridged) documentary about 4449 that I watched all the time, and it instilled in me a great love of the engine. Still one of my favs.

[@SantaFe19484]

I always thought this was one of the most beautiful steam locomotives!

[@RC_studios]

I loved this train when I was younger!

[@jacksalvin364]

4449 is my 1st favorite Steam Locomotive.

[@BHuang92]

One of the most beautiful steam locomotives of Southern Pacific!!

[@SPRailfan4449]

I’m so happy I was able to see SP 4449 in September.

[@kyletrummel69]

I've visited this locomotive several times. So glad it's being preserved in running condition. Too bad the railroads hate her. The 4-8-4 is simply too long for some of the curves it travels down, and they need repair after an excursion.

[@tractorjunkco9431]

It's a awesome engine to see in person. Currently it's in Strasburg Pennsylvania next to the workmen shop, along with a few others.

[@d-fender4489]

This engine is most favorite steam locomotive of all time. In my opinion, there is no steam locomotive that screams the glory days of steam than this red and orange marvel of machinery.

[@JOEMAMA_534]

There actually was another accident involving a GS-4. In 1956, 4430 crashed into a tanker truck, which caused it to topple onto its side.

[@jimmypetrock]

Thank you!

[@pacificproductionsofficial]

Best 50$ I ever spent lol

[@lukechristmas3951]

I'm glad that you made a video about a preserved American steam locomotives and this one was the best choice! I do not live near any of the states that were serviced by the Southern Pacific but it is largely because of 4449 and the American Freedom Train that I can appreciate the beauty of this unique locomotive.

[@TheJFish94]

The 4449 did not appear in Strangers on a Train (though a GS4 does appear in the theatrical trailer for that movie) but it did star in a movie called Come See the Paradise. Also it's pronuced Lie-ma, not Li-ma.

[@Straswa]

Great vid ToT, beautiful locomotive.

[@Blur4strike]

I rode behind 4449 back in 2011 during an excursion in Washington State over Stampede Pass. First time was in the Amfleet car but the second time was in the baggage car on the return trip to Tacoma, WA, got quite a bit of soot and grime but it was worth it.

[@danielmkubacki]

GS-4 "4449 is beautiful.

[@vincentn.sandro7023]

That ending 🥺

[@CajonPassStudios]

This is why I use this engine as my OC, Goodman, named after the SML character. There's something about 4449 that fits Goodman's character well, and it's mainly something to do with the fact that it was designed to pull the Daylight passenger train which is the equivalent of having a Lamborghini.

[@nathandeal9703]

Definitely my favorite northern!

[@QuintonMurdock]

3:17 I DIDNT KNOW THAT! I’m going to be over there today. I’m going to check it out

[@QuintonMurdock]

Update. I went and she is beautiful. It’s amazing to see such a work of art in person

[@mikeyboi7126]

This is probably my personal favorite locomotive ever built, probably because it's one of the most iconic locomotives. It's also because the Daylight has the color orange in its color scheme, because orange is my favorite color.

[@N00dleMeister]

Watched most of your videos retroactively since finding this channel, your quick and bite-sized content style is great 👍You got me subscribed! Any chance we'll see a video about steam turbine locomotives some time in the future?

[@blehtbh]

Damn

[@Irobert1115HD]

apparently there was a event in germany some time ago where a snow fall event was hitting so hard that the DB brought back a steam engine in order to get a train going.

[@Eye_Exist]

Instantly recognized the train from Railroad Tycoon 2.

[@andya.4253]

I remembered a rather obscure series called The Full Bucketniers, way back in the early 2000s which has the GS-4 as the main character

[@GetsugaTensho85]

That end message though. 🥰

[@thattophatfox3473]

Got to say, that was a very good video! I've seen 4449 mentioned before in books I've read, I think it was in the DK Train book. so it was nice to know some more info on 4449 Also. That stream the other day was epic

[@dragonkingofthestars]

Of you ever want or need pictures from the oregon rail heritage museum, I live right near by and can do so. I heard there going to get a Shay soon!

[@southsidediy]

It's too bad it has gotten too expensive to run steam all over the country. It was so epic the first time I saw 4449. She came here to Chicago in 2009 on her way to train fest in Michigan. Chased her at night on the Indiana Harbor Belt running light engine. She couldn't fit on the bridge at Englewood so she ran a detour solo while an Amtrak diesel took the train on that route. I wish 261 and 611 were running back there. 261 was in pieces having run to Chicago the previous year to shoot Public Enemies at Chicago Union Station. 611 was still on static display at that time. Time will tell if we get an epic meet like that again.

[@msutter117]

I actually have an electric train set of this. The engine sadly doesn’t work anymore but it’s one of my favorites I have next to my 2001 rare blue comet electric train. The GS4 is my all time favorite classic engine though along side the New York Hudson. I really wish we could design a modern steam looking locomotive with modern engine power and everything. I like seeing all the moving parts you can’t see on diesel.

[@balsawood6640]

there's a GS locomotive that suffered a boiler explosion

[@A_person473]

Lol that intro was funny.

[@southsidediy]

There is a good video of 4449 using its air horn. Some lady was standing on the tracks as it approached Naperville station on its way to Chicago

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

SP 4449 is based here in Portland!

[@boldaphidgaming9089]

Nice video. Hopefully you can get around to Union Pacific 844 soon.

[@thehistorian323]

As a Portland metro native, this locomotive is my favorite.

[@trainking7973]

The GS4 was actually fitted with horns because of the amount of fog that was in the north west united States, the horns were used to warn people as they were quite loud.

[@harrisonallen651]

This was worth the money

[@christianshields4164]

One of these locomotives appeared in an episode of The Dukes Of Hazzard, I believe the ghost of the General Lee

[@IbexWatcher]

Did anyone else read Lionel’s Great Railway Adventures books as a kid? This locomotive featured in the first book!!

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

Have you ever considered making a video about union pacific 844? It is notable for being the only steam locomotive to never have been retired from a class one railroad in the United States and it has double headed with big boy 4014, when the latter first ran preservation in 2019. Another thing you could definitely make a video about is the story of the A1 trust who have the distinction of making the first main line steam locomotive in Great Britain in the 21st century which is named LNER tornado

[@0fficialdregs]

the 4449 is top tier locomotive celebrity.

[@katho8472]

A steam engine doing 120mph/180kph is "some serious sh**" ;)

[@TruenoD12]

The whistle is a six-chime and the air horn is a Leslie a200 air horn also known as the foghorn

[@Pyt3x]

THE most beautiful steam locomotive, hands down.

[@Trainboy587]

My ex-favorite steam locomotive of all time :)

[@JayTheTrainFan]

The GS Class Those are Surviving Today are Andrew(SP 4449) & 4460(Jack Warhead)(owned by Trainboy11)

[@nikdog419]

Wait.... Why would there be a Lark (SF to LA) at Donner Pass? Nitpick: All the train VHSes 30 years ago would say "Four Four Four Nine", not "Forty-Four Forty-Nine" ;P

[@0fficialdregs]

4449 wasn't chosen because of its status, but because it was the last Gs4 locomotive in the scrap line.

[@joshmeister4449]

The only reason 4449 was the one GS4 that got donated was because she was at the front of the dead line... and the easiest engine to get too...

[@genevarailfan3909]

4449 also appears in at least one episode of Hogan's Heroes, playing a German train about to be blown up.

[@BassandoForte]

Can you post a link to you throwing Pacific's at a wall please... 👍👍

[@traincrazymotive]

1:00 just saying, but they had whistles too, not just the air horns.

[@robertcouch9021]

There is a GS-6 in Kirkwood MO, #4460

[@TomRedlion]

Lima simply gave the GSes something no other locomotive on the West Coast had. Curb Appeal.

[@thegamingrhino5864]

Live the video, however im gonna be pedantic about this one thing, lima is pronounced as Lie-mah lol

[@Wemfsh]

I love sp4449

[@mayoroicjre]

Anyone remember Daylight from Missoliverandblossom's channel?

[@barontaylor7139]

I thought this was the basis for Caitlin or Connor on Thomas & Friends

[@Blur4strike]

I think Caitlin and Conner were more based on the "Dreyfuss Hudson's" than the Daylight.

[@thetrainhopper8992]

The Coast Daylight and Lark didn’t run over Donner Pass. The San Francisco Overland and the City of San Francisco did.

[@cykablyatman6242]

could you do a brit's take on the bankruptcy of the penn central? also plz play trainz 22

[@trainlover16]

I’d like to hear from you American Railroad Enthusiasts; Which would you consider to be the American equivalent of The Flying Scotsman? SP 4449, or UP 844? For years I’ve considered both to have a similar status to Scotsman, but haven’t been able to solidly decide which one is Scotsman’s American equivalent.

[@Mason58654]

You’d be very hard pressed to find that out. Some American locomotives that compare with the league of Scotsman in terms of performance are now scrapped, I’d say, and the list is long. The PRR T1 duplex comes to mind, or the NYC J3a Hudson.

[@BalticFilms144]

Briefly it was N&W 611 but since 2019, popularity shifted to UP's Big Boy and it's pretty much become a world renowned engine. During my chase with 4014, I've met folks from Britain, New Zealand, even China just to see it in person. Sadly 4449 and 844 have kind of slipped onto the backburner.

[@kilianortmann9979]

@@Mason58654 Maybe also the Milwaukee Road F7s pulling the Hiawatha.

[@thecaledoniansleeper2648]

I would say it’s a tie between the 4449 Daylight or N&W 611. They’re both very famous.

[@harken2101]

I could be wrong but im pretty sure that locomotive never visited the state of maine. I can only find it came up to new hampshire. If thats true it did not go to ALL the states.

[@jessdatheturdle6602]

He means the AFT service ran throughout the 48 contiguous states, meaning you'd see the AFT somewhere in the US. 2101 was restored to operating condition and pulled the AFT's east leg, and 610 pulled the train while it was in Texas.

[@harken2101]

@@jessdatheturdle6602 Took a while to find but it was in portland on the 17th first year

[@pollyjackson-dzacchaeus1342]

is it just me or when it was the freedom train it looked a bit like an amtrak paint scheme

[@ThunderboltSirenStudios]

Does that mean that 4449 never had a whistle in revenue service?

[@voidjavelin23]

it did have a whistle since the production, he just doesnt know it

[@hitexh3283]

Weren’t some of them fitted with a water tender?

[@mikehawk2003]

Nearly all steam engines have water tenders.

[@TheStickCollector]

I want to be in a steam train at one point

[@whatdoyouexactlymeanbyhandle]

36th

[@RailPreserver2K]

Do you think you could do a video talking about this engine? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnXWnqqbqcekrqs it's basically the southern us version of Flying Scotsman.

[@nathanzanger8578]

4449 was only preserved because they were lasy

[@brenlc1412]

Look at this engine and tell me dead in the eyes that American engines are ugly.

[@DENVERRIOGRANDEMAN21]

Hell no European

[@yeoldeseawitch]

the most overrated steam engine in the entire US excluding the big boy

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

They had horns and whistles by the way

[@ironhorsethrottlemaster5202]

You know how Americans call you Brits limes limeys it's almost like that but it's a Lima like a lime with an a at the end so that's how you pronounce it correctly they were built in Lima Ohio