Power type Steam Serial number 8013 Configuration 4-8-4 | Builder Lima Locomotive Works Build date July 1943 | |
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Gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||
Southern Pacific 4460 is the only surviving GS-6 Class steam locomotive. The GS-6 is a semi-streamlined 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotive. GS stands for "Golden State". The locomotive was built by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1943. The GS-6 lacked side skirting and red and orange "Daylight" paint found on previous locomotives of the GS class, and were painted black and silver instead. This was because the US government controlled locomotive manufacturers during World War II and had turned down Southern Pacific's order of fourteen new Daylight locomotives. Southern Pacific re-designed the engine for general service and it was finally approved, but the government took four of them and gave them to the smaller and power-starved Western Pacific Railroad. Their smaller size when compared to previous GS class locomotives and the fact that they were built during World War II earned them the nicknames of "War Babies" and "Baby Daylights".
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Revenue service years
4460 was built in July 1943, and was used during World War II. The engine is famous for pulling what supposed to be the final movement of steam on the Southern Pacific Railroad in October 1958. That final run was from Reno, Nevada to Oakland, California, and a local Boy Scout Bugler from the Bay Area Council, played taps for the funeral of the 4460, staged by the Southern Pacific Railroad. The 4460 now sits in a transportation Museum in Kirkwood Missouri, not far from St. Louis.
Preservation
Following the final excursion, 4460 was donated to the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 16, 1959, where the engine has since sat along with many other historic steam and diesel locomotives from around the country. Besides having the nicknames "Black Daylight" and "War Baby", it is also known as the "Forgotten Daylight", as it has not been restored to operating conditions and partnered with the #4449.