In 1937 the Southern Pacific trumpeted a new train in full-page magazine ads describing their Daylight route that linked Los Angeles and San Francisco "in a glorious daylight trip, streaking along the Pacific Ocean for more than a hundred breathless miles." Travelers were invited to "Step inside the Daylight and see the beauty and luxury that have already won the West. Presenting a glorious streak of orange and red from locomotive to observation car, the Daylights were a sharp departure from the SP's normal dark olive passenger cars. 

Leading the trains were the Southern Pacific's class GS Northerns, arguably among the handsomest steam engines ever built. Constructed by Lima Locomotive Works, inventor of the super-power concept, the 4-8-4s had the combination of power and speed that characterized steam power at its zenith. Class GS-4 engines, delivered in 1941 and 1942, were among the last and best-looking of the breed, with tall 80" drivers and enclosed all-weather cabs. In addition to handling premier passenger trains, the 4-8-4s were regularly used in high-speed freight service on the San Francisco-Los Angeles Overnight. 

In 1975-76, a proud exhibition of American historical and cultural artifacts toured the country. What made this Bicentennial celebration so special was where it was housed: in the 23-car-long American Freedom Train. The Freedom Train criss-crossed the U.S. with its patriotic cargo, letting Americans celebrate our heritage at every stop. 

Southern Pacific's repainted No. 4449 GS-4 Steam Engine, in the very livery sported on these pages saw more time at the head of the Freedom Train than any other engine. 

Features Include

- Die-Cast Boiler and Chassis
- Die-Cast Tender Body
- Authentic Paint Scheme
- Engineer and Fireman Figures
- Metal Handrails and Bell
- RP25 Metal Wheels
- Interchangeable RP25 Metal Drive Wheels w/o Traction Tires
- Sprung Drivers
- (2) #158 Scale Kadee Whisker Couplers
- Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
- Constant Voltage Headlight
- Operating Class Lights
- Operating Numberboard Lights
- Lighted Cab Interior
- Operating Tender Back-up Light
- Operating MARS Light
- Powerful 5-Pole Precision Flywheel-Equipped Skew-Wound Motor
- Synchronized Puffing Proto-Smoke™
- Locomotive Speed Control in Scale MPH Increments
- Wireless Drawbar
- 1:87 Scale Proportions
- Operates On Code 70, 83 and 100 Track
- Proto-Sound 3.0 with the Digital Command System Featuring Quillable Whistle with Passenger Station Proto-Effects
- Unit Measures: 15 3/4” x 2 1/4” x 1 1/2”
- Operates On 22” Radius Curves 

Signature Series models offer the final word in realism: beautifully detailed M.T.H. O and HO scale models weathered to look like hard-working locomotives and rolling stock. Each model is individually weathered by a master modeler with more than 30 years of professional modeling experience. The resulting finish ensures that these new Signature Series models for 2014 will look right at home on any sceniced, scale-detailed layout.

All models are airbrush-weathered, using proprietary techniques that capture the subtle natural wear and tear produced by road dust, rain, rust, wind and everything else that railroad equipment experiences in real life. The Signature Series airbrush weathering process brings out details in a model that previously went unnoticed, and replicates effects usually obtainable only with chalks and pinpoint washes.

No two Signature Series finishes look exactly alike. Each model of the same engine or passenger set has its own unique finish, with noticeable but subtle differences visible in side-by-side comparisons. Because these models are designed to run as well as they look, each locomotive and car is sealed with a flat finish to allow handling and the use of smoke fluid. 

M.T.H. Signature Series models first appeared in 2012, providing hobbyists with unique offerings not previously available from a major model railroad manufacturer. Each Signature Series item is an excellent solution for modelers who either have not had the confidence to attempt weathering techniques, or simply don’t have time to do it themselves. Most importantly, these professionally weathered models can withstand the rigors of operation while providing the final element of realism needed to depict real-life railroading on an O or HO scale layout.