SP 4460



Southern Pacific/Western Maryland Scenic Railroad #4460 is a preserved 4-8-4.

About
The #4460 was the prototype for the GS-6 class built by the Lima Locomotive Works. The GS-6s were the last 4-8-4s built for the SP. The engine was the last steam locomotive to run on the Southern Pacific, hauling the final excursion train, then retired and sent to the St. Louis Museum of Transportation, where it resides until 2009. It is often hoped the engine will be restored and when the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad announced that they had acquired the locomotive for restoration to operating condition.

CSX Transportation donated the move from the museum to the WMSR, where the restoration started immediately. The railroad planned to have 4460operational by mid 2016, pending the completion of some needed boiler work; however, because of the problems surrounding the boiler, lack of funds, regulations, and many other issues, work on 4460 expected to be completed until later rather than 2011. To make matters worse, another setback had occurred: in February 2013, some small components belonging to 4460 were stolen, perhaps by a disgruntled former volunteer. Fortunately, though, there is hope on the horizon for the "Forgetten Daylight of the East": In June 2014, it had passed its respective hydraulic and out-of-frames boiler tests. In other news, the overhaul of the tender has also been finished. Some thousands of dollars are still needed to finish the engine, but it won't be long before 4460 can stretch her wheels again. On Saturday, November 14, 2015, 4460 moved under her own power for the first time since 1958, as part of testing to get her into excursion service. As of April 2016, 4460 has officially replaced 734 in excursion service for the foreseeable future now that 734 is unlikely to ever run under steam again anytime soon. On November 19, 2021, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) granted approval for the WMSR to begin operations of Southern Pacific 4460. On that day, Southern Pacific 4460 was fired up for the first time since being restored to operation in November 2015 for test runs in preparation for its official debut in excursion service for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, which later occured on December 11, 2020 for the WMSR’s Polar Express trains.