Kato N 126-0309 DCC Ready 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive GS-4 Southern Pacific Lines ‘Postwar Black’ with Rear Mounted Number Boards SP #4445

The GS-4 was built for the Southern Pacific Railroad by the Lima Locomotive Works and delivered in the early 1940’s for the SP’s premier passenger trains, finding its way to the Daylight series of name trains. 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. 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.

‘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.

Model Features:

• Designed to accompany the Kato Southern Pacific Daylight Passenger Train Sets
• Powerful enough to pull all 18 Daylight Series passenger cars
• Drivers are operated by functional side rods for smooth performance
• Electrical pickup from both driver and tender for constant electrical connection
• Directional, operating ‘simulated’ Mars light
• Directional headlight
• Illuminated number boards
• Detailed cab interior
• Front and rear Kato magnetic knuckle couplers
• All detail parts installed
• DCC friendly design for the EM13 Motor Function Decoder