Southern Pacific GS-1 class
The Southern Pacific GS-1 was a class of conventional 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotive operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad and its Texas subsidiary the Texas and New Orleans Railroad from 1930 to 1956. A total of fourteen were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, numbered 4400 through 4409 by SP and 700 through 703 by T&NO.
History
Design and abilities
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Southern Pacific Railroad needed more power for their heavy passenger train service. They ordered a batch of fourteen 4-8-4 GS-1 locomotives from the Baldwin Locomotives Works between May and July 1930. The prefix GS indicates Golden State. Originally, the GS-1s' operating boiler pressure was, but would eventually increase to. The GS-1s were the first SP steam locomotives to have the cylinders connected to the frame in one piece. These locomotives operated on saturated steam for the injector, steam heat, hydrostatic lubricator, power reverser; and superheated steam for the oil-burning equipment, feedwater heater pumps, air pumps, booster, and whistle. They were designed to traverse through curves as sharp as 18 degrees.Revenue service
The first four locomotives, Nos. 700-703, were assigned to the Texas and New Orleans subsidiary, while the last ten, Nos. 4400-4409, were built for SP's main fleet. The GS-1s were assigned to various passenger trains throughout the SP system, and ended their careers on the San Jose-San Francisco Peninsula Commute service.No GS-1 locomotives survive.