FM H-20-44

FM H-20-44
An FM H-20-44 road switcher, retired Union Pacific #1366.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Model H-20-44 Build date June 1947 — March 1954 Total produced 299
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Length 51 ft 0 in (15.55 m) Prime mover FM 38D-10 Engine type 2-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Displacement 5,180 in³ (84.9 L) Cylinders 10 (Opposed piston) Cylinder size 8.125 in × 10 in (206 mm × 254 mm) Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Power output 2,000 hp (1,492 kW) Tractive effort 42,125 lbf (187 kN)
Career Locale North America

The FM H-20-44 was an multiple unit-capable end cab road switcher manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse from June, 1947–March, 1954, and represented the company's first foray into the road switcher market. The 2,000 hp (1,500 kW), ten-cylinder opposed piston engine locomotive was referred to by F-M's engineering department as the "Heavy Duty" unit. It was configured in a B-B wheel arrangement mounted atop a pair of two-axle AAR Type-B road trucks with all axles powered. H-20-44s shared the same platform and much of the same carbody as the lighter-duty FM H-15-44, which began its production run three months later.

In the same manner as other F-M switcher models, the H-20-44 started out displaying a variety of Raymond Loewy-inspired contours, only to have the majority of these superfluous trim features stripped from the last few units built as a cost-cutting measure. Only 97 units were built for American railroads, as few firms saw sufficient value in moving freight in greater quantities or at a higher speeds than was possible with the typical 1,500- and 1,600 horsepower (1,200 kW) four-axle road switchers of the era. Three intact examples of the H-20-44 are known to survive today; all are the property of railroad museums.

Units produced

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers
Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad	6	500–505
Fairbanks-Morse (demonstrator units)	2	2000 (Builder's #L1031), 2000 (Builder's #L1032); (Builder's #L1032 sold to the UP and assigned #DS1366)
New York Central Railroad	19	7100–7118
Pennsylvania Railroad	38	8917–8942, 9300–9311
Pittsburgh and West Virginia	22	50–71
Union Pacific	10	DS1360–DS1365, DS1367–DS1370

References

• "Fairbanks-Morse 38D8 Diesel Engine". PSRM Diesel Locomotives. Retrieved January 1, 2006.
• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
• Kirkland, John F. (1985). The Diesel Builders Volume 1: Fairbanks-Morse and Lima-Hamilton. Interurban Press. ISBN 0916374696. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

Further reading

• Sweetland, David R. (1999). Erie-builts and H20-44s: Fairbanks-Morse’s 2,000-Horsepower Pioneers. Withers Publishing, Halifax, PA. ISBN 1-881411-22-2.

External links

• Fairbanks-Morse H20-44 Roster
• Preserved Fairbanks Morse Four-Axle Road Switchers
• Union Pacific #1366 — photo and short history of the second unit built, one of the three surviving FM H-20-44s.