FM H-12-44

Infobox Locomotive
name=FM H-12-44
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg|lk=on

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caption=Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad #718, an FM H-12-44 yard switcher. The prominent rear roof visor, among its other external features, clearly identifies the unit as having been manufactured prior to September of 1952.
builder=Fairbanks-Morse
aarwheels=B-B
cylindercount=6 (Opposed piston)
primemover=FM 38D-6
builddate=May 1950 – March 1961
totalproduction=336
locale=North America
poweroutput=convert|1200|hp|kW|0|abbr=on|lk=on
topspeed=convert|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on|lk=on
weight=convert|240000|lb|t|1|abbr=on
tractiveeffort=convert|40440|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on|lk=on)
length=convert|48|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on
enginetype=Two-stroke diesel
aspiration=Roots blower
cylindersize=convert|8.125|x|10|in|mm|0|abbr=on
displacement=convert|3108|cuin|l|abbr=on
transmission=DC generator,
DC traction motors
locobrakes=Straight air
trainbrakes=Air
buildmodel=H-12-44

The FM H-12-44 was a yard switcher produced by Fairbanks-Morse from May, 1950–March, 1961. The units featured a convert|1200|hp|sing=on, six-cylinder opposed piston engine prime mover, and were configured in a B-B wheel arrangement mounted atop a pair of two-axle AAR Type-A switcher trucks, with all axles powered and geared for a top speed of convert|60|mph|km/h.

303 were built for American railroads, 30 were manufactured in from August, 1951–June, 1956 by the Canadian Locomotive Company for use in Canada, and 1 unit was exported to Mexico. Initially, H-12-44s were visually indistinguishable from their predecessor model, the FM H-10-44. However, beginning in September, 1952 the Raymond Loewy design elements were removed as a cost-saving measure: cab lines were squared-off, the slanted-nose styling was discontinued, and the roof visor was eliminated. The following year, the fairing over the battery box was removed and louvers added to reduce the possibility of battery explosions. None of the units was produced between May and October 1956, after which time the carbodies were shortened by some three feet and outfitted with a deeper side skirt.

Sixteen intact examples of the H-12-44 are known to survive today, all of which are owned by railroad museums or historical societies.

Units produced by Fairbanks-Morse (1950–1961)

Preservation

Several examples of the H-12-44 model have been preserved around the US and Canada.

*US Army # 1843 is a part of the collection at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush, NY (south of Rochester, NY). It is in operable condition and is a key locomotive at the RGVRRM.

*Weyerhaeuser Timber Company, #1 is preserved at the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie,Washington.

*Former U. S. Army 1857 is preserved at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, CA. It was used at the Sierra Army Depot at Herlong, CA, located along the former Western Pacific Railroad.

*Another former US Army unit (#1860?), worked at Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal. Then went to Beaufort & Morehead Railroad in North Carolina as #1860, based at the Morehead City State Ports. The North Carolina Transportation Museum acquired the locomotive in 2004 after disposition from the State Ports.

References

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ee also

* List of Fairbanks-Morse locomotives

External links

* [http://www.thedieselshop.us/FM_H1244.HTML Fairbanks-Morse H12-44, H12-44TS & H12-46 Roster]
* [http://www.thedieselshop.us/PRSVDfm.HTML#Yard Preserved Fairbanks Morse Yard Power]
* [http://espee.railfan.net/sph12-44.html Southern Pacific Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 Roster]
* [http://www.trainmuseum.org/Collection/WTC1.asp Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. Fairbanks Morse H-12-44 Diesel Electric Locomotive WTC 1]