I had to journey to the very edge of the 42 acres of the National Museum of Transportation to see the number one locomotive on my museum sketch list. (Ironically it the first locomotive I saw driving in from Barrett’s Station Road.)

The Northern type 4-8-4 GS-6 (only ten were built) was in the far corner of the engine shed bordered by the employee parking lot. This was an unfortunate and sad location to display one of only two of Southern Pacific’s “Golden State” or “General Service” locomotives in existence.

Another name for 4460 is the “Forgotten Daylight” because it gets far less attention than her famous relative, GS-4 No. 4449. It’s placement in the corner of the engine shed, hemmed in by parked cars at the museum, gives a new meaning to the “Forgotten Daylight”.

The “War Baby” was built in 1943 by Lima and had to work within the limits of the War Production Board. The side skirting of the previous GSs was removed and the locomotive lacked the mars light of the GS-4, resembling the GS-2s. 4460 was the first GS-6 built at the Lima Locomotive Works in Lima Ohio. These locomotives could be used for passenger and freight trains.

4460 is the last steam locomotive operated by the Southern Pacific. In October 1958 the last run of an SP steam locomotive was between Sacramento and Sparks, Nevada over the famous Donner Pass. This was on a Goodbye to Steam excursion. 4460 ran to Sparks and then back to Sacramento, unassisted.

The iconic GS-6 was not scrapped like so many other steam locomotives but was donated to the Museum of Transportation in April of 1959.

I also sketched 4460 in profile, focusing in on its classy smoke box and headlight.