KATO USA
Precision Railroad Models
Prototype Information:
The GS-4 runs on eight massive 80 drivers, 300lbs psi boiler pressure, and puts out a roaring 5,500 horsepower at 55mph, with a maximum speed of 110 mph. The large drivers gave the locomotive a high top speed; the telling mark of a steam engine built for passenger service. The GS-4 was built for the Southern Pacific Railroad by the Lima Locomotive Works and delivered in the early 1940s for the SP’s premier passenger trains, finding its way to the Daylight series of name trains. One of the more unique specifications for the GS-4 by the SP was its Mars light, a necessity with the large amount of grade crossings and fog present on the West Coast. The Mars light, like ditch lights on modern locomotives, was utilized as a warning for grade crossings that a high speed train was approaching, its shifting light patterns serving as an eye catcher in foggy conditions.
About the “American Freedom Train” GS-4 Scheme
From 1975 to 1976, in celebration of the United States’ 200th birthday, GS-4 #4449 was re-painted into a striking red, white, and blue paint scheme, and put into excursion duty pulling a special display train all around the United States.
About the BNSF Excursion Black GS-4 Scheme
In 2000, the Daylight was repainted black and silver for a Burlington Northern Santa Fe employee appreciation special. It was to celebrate the BNSF freight railroad and to commemorate the days of the 4449 and other GS locomotives assigned to freight, helper, or local passenger trains. This train excursion went through Seattle, Washington and then east into Montana before heading back to her home in Portland, Oregon.
Technical Diagrams + DCC Instructions:
- EM13, train number board, and coupler replacement instructions for the GS-4: Download PDF
- Exploded View Diagram of the GS-4: Download PDF
Past and Present Available Versions; click for higher resolution images
"Wartime" black - with rear mounted train number boards, as they were fitted later on in the GS-4's life cycle.
The classic Daylight scheme, made in both late and early "Southern Pacific" and "Southern Pacific Lines" variations, with rear and front mounted train numbers, respectively.
The Bicentennial "American Freedom Train" paint scheme features white painted drivers, "blacked out" side rods, and forward mounted train number boards.
BNSF Excursion Paint - #4449 was painted in this scheme in 2000 for an excursion through Seattle, WA and then east into Montana before heading back to its home in Portland, OR
"Postwar" black - Like the wartime black, these GS-4's had rear mounted train number boards but replaced the traditional "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering with the larger "Southern Pacific" on the tender.
Current Models
Stock #
Description
Road #
Msrp
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4449
Msrp
$240*
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight w/ Pre-Installed DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4449
Msrp
$320*
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight w/ ESU LokSound DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4449
Msrp
$470*
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4433
Msrp
$240*
Stock #
126-0308-DCC
December 2021
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black w/ Pre-Installed DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4433
Msrp
$320*
Stock #
126-0308-LS
December 2021
Special Order Only
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black w/ ESU LokSound DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4433
Msrp
$470*
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4445
Msrp
$240*
Stock #
126-0309-DCC
December 2021
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black w/ Pre-Installed DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4445
Msrp
$320*
Stock #
126-0309-LS
December 2021
Special Order Only
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Postwar Black w/ ESU LokSound DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4445
Msrp
$470*
Stock #
126-0310
November 2021
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4454
Msrp
$240*
Stock #
126-0310-DCC
December 2021
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight w/ Pre-Installed DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4454
Msrp
$320*
Stock #
126-0310-LS
December 2021
Special Order Only
Description
N 4-8-4 GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines Daylight w/ ESU LokSound DCC
Has rear mounted train number boards
Road #
4454
Msrp
$470*
* Prices are estimated and subject to change upon release.
