The Southern Pacific GS-4 locomotives were a class of 4-8-4 "Northern" type steam locomotives operated by the Southern Pacific from 1941 to 1958. The SP owned a total of 28 GS-4 engines, numbered 4430 through 4457. The GS-4's were quite similar to the SP GS-3 Northerns, except with the GS-4, the SP introduced a dual-headlight casing, with the top light being a Mars light, and also the GS-4 had an all-weather cab.
The GS-4 locomotives were designed and primarily used for passenger service. They were capable of reaching high speeds, and wore the colorful Daylight paint scheme to match Southern Pacific Daylight passenger cars. Some of the engines were painted black during WWII, and most of them were eventually painted black later in life.
In our first production run, we are offering several variations of the GS4. We are building locomotives with both an early appearance and late appearance - the most noticeable difference is the location of the numberboards/trainboards. We are also building two distinct tenders, with the primary difference being the MU box and associated conduit on the later type. In addition to the detail differences, we are offering models of several paint schemes, including two versions of the #4449 Excursion locomotives, an American Freedom Train model, and three different in-service paint schemes with multiple road numbers of each.
Each of our models will be available with our newest Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC sound system with synchronized puffing smoke and integral GoPack capacitors. Our models have die cast locomotive and tender bodies for maximum weight and tractive effort. See below for additional model features including the full list of individually controllable lights.
Industry-leading Model Features:
ALL-NEW Paragon4 Sound & Control System
Synchronized Puffing Smoke with Chuff Sound
Variable Puffing Smoke Intensity and timing
Integral DCC Decoder with Back EMF for Industry Best Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
Precision Drive Mechanism engineered for continuous heavy load towing and smooth slow speed operation
5-Pole Can Motor with Skew Wound Armature
Heavy Die Cast Boiler, Tender Body, and Chassis for Increased Tractive Effort
Premium Caliber Painting with Authentic Paint Schemes
Prototypical Light Operation with Separately Controllable Headlight, Reverse Light, Cab Light, Mars Light, Front Numberboards, Front Marker Lights, Rear Marker Lights
Factory-installed Engineer and Fireman Figures
Prototypically Accurate Details for Each Road Number
Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Ladders, Conduit, Generators, Whistle, Horn, and Brass Bell
Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power
Recommended Minimum Radius: 22 inches
Accurate Prototypical Sounds for the SP GS-4 Northern
Broadway Limited Imports is proud to introduce Paragon4: The new benchmark for premium HO sound-equipped locomotives. These DC and DCC-Sound equipped locomotives feature the ALL-NEW Paragon4 sound and control system. Each Paragon4 locomotive comes with BLI's own integral DCC Decoder factory installed. Paragon4 locomotives offer Dual Mode DC and DCC operation with superb back EMF motor control, improved DC motor control, built-in capacitor pack for more reliable electrical pick-up, industry best on-board sound with Rolling Thunder functionality, Pro Lighting Mode for prototypical light control, Switcher model for precise low speed control, recordable DCC operation for automated playback, and the same excellent detail level as Broadway Limited's Paragon3 Series models.
Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:
Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Built-In capacitor pack to navigate imperfect track
Capacitor Pack automatically disabled on program track for full compatibility with JMRI Decoder Pro
Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
Switcher Mode for precise low speed control.
Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
High Resolution Audio
Quillable Whistle for various whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Johnson Bar Sound at Direction Change
Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal - When activated, stopping triggers and stop whistle toot. When moving forward from a stopped position, toots twice. When moving in reverse. toots three times.
Chuff sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings
