A black, red, and orange nonoperable model (figure 77) in the collection
represents the Southern Pacific Co. _No. 4410_, the first of the many
such streamlined 4-8-4, or Northern-type, steam locomotives built for
that line. This model of _No. 4410_ and its tender, about 27 inches
long, is built to the scale of ¼ inch to the foot. The gift of the
Southern Pacific Co. in 1937, it was made early in that year especially
for the Museum’s collection (USNM 311340).
The first group of this type of streamliner, which was the conception of
George McCormick and Frank E. Russell of the Southern Pacific, was
completed by the Lima Locomotive Works in January 1937. The first run
with one of these streamliners was made on March 21 with the “Coast
Daylight” passenger train between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Of the total of 50 essentially similar locomotives of this streamlined
class, the Southern Pacific still had 49 in November 1954, only _No.
4414_ having been authorized for scrapping. At that time, these
locomotives had averaged approximately 13,000 miles a month since being
placed in service, although many had completed over 15,000 miles in
particularly productive months. The earlier ones, represented by this
model, developed 4,500 horsepower at 55 miles an hour and had a top
speed of 90 miles an hour, although 75 was the highest allowable
operating speed. They were able to maintain a 9¾-hour schedule between
San Francisco and Los Angeles.
[Illustration: Figure 77.—Model of Lima Northern-type locomotive,
1937.]
The locomotive and tender are 108 feet long, and weigh 835,000 pounds in
operating condition. The fuel is bunker type C oil. A boiler pressure of
250 pounds per square inch is employed. The cylinder bore is 27 inches,
the stroke 30. The eight drivers are 73 inches in diameter, and the
driving wheelbase is 20 feet. The later streamlined 4-8-4’s of the
Southern Pacific develop 5,500 horsepower at 55 miles an hour, and
operate on a boiler pressure of 300 pounds per square inch.