Southern Pacific GS-4 Class

The Southern Pacific GS-4 class is a streamlined steam locomotive class built by the Lima Locomotive Works beginning in 1941 for the Southern Pacific Railroad, part of the railroad's Golden State series of dual-purpose passenger and light-freight locomotives and finished in a distinctive red, orange and black livery designed to match the railroad's premier Daylight passenger trains on the West Coast of the United States. Built with a streamlined shroud enclosing much of the boiler and running gear, both for aerodynamic benefit at speed and for a visually striking public image, the GS-4 class became one of the most celebrated and photographed American steam locomotive designs of the streamline era. Several examples have been preserved, including one maintained in operating condition for excursion service long after regular steam operation ended.