Help identifying this SP locomotive

I did a Google Lens Search, There was no matching photo on the internet. They did show 6 similar photos.

Gary 🚂

That is a Southern Pacific GS-4 (#4445?), with the as-delivered "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering up high on the tender sides. Thus, prior to 1946.

The car behind the tender in the first picture appears to say “back t”. Back to something? Perhaps an excursion?

Did you scan this photo in?  If so can you make out the loco number?  Was it on the internet and was there any caption?

@MainLine Steam posted:

Did you scan this photo in?  If so can you make out the loco number?  Was it on the internet and was there any caption?

Well,,,,,,,,,it doesn't really matter what the loco number is, since ONLY the SP GS class (4-8-4) locomotives were painted & lettered that way, prior to 1946. Also note it has the all-weather cab.

I see and know that.  I was actually confused by Steve's question.  Is that all he wanted to know or was he trying for a more specific identification?  That's why I asked.

But here is the thing that is somewhat confusing.  I think the photo may have been taken in late September 1948 at a Whistle Stop on Truman's campaign train.  The fore mentioned first car I think may have said Back Truman!  Now as you pointed out the lettering change was authorized in June 1946 and most sources say that the GS's were re-lettered within a year?  If we dig deep enough might be able to find what SP Loco actually pulled his train on what days or vice versa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...residential_campaign

This is the question I received

Steve

Do you know anyone in TCA or TTOS or wherever that is an SP fan and could help me identify an engine in a newsreel (dated September, 1943), pulling a huge consist of passenger cars from San Francisco into Los Angeles...

It does not appear to me to be one of the big 4-8-4 GS locomotives... One person I asked suggested it might be a 4-8-2 with the skyline casing (which makes it look like a GS locomotive... These engines apparently received the daylight decoration in 1940, so the time frame would be correct... And he noted that the locomotive has the pre-1947 lettering scheme, so that, too, fits the time period...

The film is too dim for me to make out the number on the engine... Looks like 4345 -- which WAS a 4-8-2, but again, just a guess...

I have a 40" monitor and it is really hard to make out the 2nd and 3rd digit of the number.  The second number could be a 3 or a 4 and the 3rd number looks like a 4 or a 5, but this is a tough one.  I am going to suggest that is indeed a GS-4 and the perspective of the image makes it look shorter than it actually is.

Steve - Thanks for clearing that up.  Does he know the title of the news real?  Sometimes you can back-track that to decipher more information, plus there may be other "frames" which could confirm or deny what we think.  BTW make sure the date was Sept 1943 NOT 1948.  A hand written 8 could look like a 3 this many years later.

I am with Jonathan and Hot Water it is a GS-4 largely because of the all-weather cab.

The large crowd made me think of the Truman Campaign Train.  And they all seemed focused toward the back of the train.  Actually I am going to start a post to gather information on those Tours.  It is an interesting point in America History, definitely train related!

@Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

This is the question I received

Steve

Do you know anyone in TCA or TTOS or wherever that is an SP fan and could help me identify an engine in a newsreel (dated September, 1943), pulling a huge consist of passenger cars from San Francisco into Los Angeles...

It does not appear to me to be one of the big 4-8-4 GS locomotives... One person I asked suggested it might be a 4-8-2 with the skyline casing (which makes it look like a GS locomotive... These engines apparently received the daylight decoration in 1940, so the time frame would be correct... And he noted that the locomotive has the pre-1947 lettering scheme, so that, too, fits the time period...

The film is too dim for me to make out the number on the engine... Looks like 4345 -- which WAS a 4-8-2, but again, just a guess...

Please remember:

1) The SP 4300 MT class locomotives did NOT have all-weather cabs.

2) The SP 4300 MT class locomotives did NOT have a huge tender as shown in the photo.

3) I don't recall that the SP 4300 MT class locomotives were equipped with boosters on the trailing truck.

Any chance the first two digits are 45, not 43?

Steve

I took your photo, sharpened the image and enhanced the definition (please see two attached pics). The cab number looks like #4445 to me


Bryce

I just did a Google Lens search again. Now it is showing your photo. This image has never been on the internet.

Gary 🚂

Another dead give-away that it is a GS-4 class 4-8-4 is that it is equipped with three dynamos, one for the head light & cab lights (32 Volts DC), a second one for the Mars Signal Light (12 Volts DC), and the third for the electro-pneumatic train brake system (don't remember what voltage that was).

Hi,

I am seeing 4545 as the engine number.

Ed

The most fascinating aspect to this photo are the people. Who are they and where are they today?

Gary 🚂

@Ed Kelly posted:

Hi,

I am seeing 4545 as the engine number.

Ed

The SP didn't have any 4500 series locomotives that looked like a GS-4.

Bryce - I don't know how you improved the photo, but wow that is neat.  Do you work for the CIA enhancing aerial images?  Please DON'T tell me, "if you would have to Kill me".  LOL

@trainroomgary posted:

The most fascinating aspect to this photo are the people. Who are they and where are they today?

Gary 🚂

Seeing as though the photo is at least 75 years old, it's a safe bet, although maybe a bit morbid, that the majority of them have gone on to their great reward.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Steve

@Hot Water posted:

That is a Southern Pacific GS-4 (#4445?), with the as-delivered "Southern Pacific Lines" lettering up high on the tender sides. Thus, prior to 1946.

I thought it might be a dirty, filthy GS-4. LOL, Arnold

@Oscale_Trains_Lover_ posted:

I took your photo, sharpened the image and enhanced the definition (please see two attached pics). The cab number looks like #4445 to me


Bryce

Good job, Bryce!

@MainLine Steam posted:

Bryce - I don't know how you improved the photo, but wow that is neat.  Do you work for the CIA enhancing aerial images?  Please DON'T tell me, "if you would have to Kill me".  LOL

Jim, to ensure your continued safe and happy existence... I plead the 5th amendment

Bryce