FM H-20-44
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| FM H-20-44 |
 |
| An FM H-20-44 road switcher, retired Union Pacific #1366. |
| Power type |
Diesel-electric |
| Builder |
Fairbanks-Morse |
| Model |
H-20-44 |
| Build date |
June 1947 — March 1954 |
| Total produced |
96 |
| AAR wheel arr. |
B-B |
| UIC classification |
B′B′ |
| Gauge |
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Length |
51 ft 0 in (15.54 m) |
| Locomotive weight |
254,000 lb (115.2 tonnes) |
| Prime mover |
FM 38D-10 |
| Engine type |
Two-stroke diesel |
| Aspiration |
Roots blower |
| Displacement |
10,369 cu in (169,920 cm3) |
| Cylinders |
10 (Opposed piston) |
| Cylinder size |
8.125 × 10 in (206 × 254 mm) |
| Transmission |
DC generator,
DC traction motors |
| Top speed |
70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Power output |
2,000 hp (1.49 MW) |
| Tractive effort |
42,125 lbf (187.38 kN) |
| Locomotive brakes |
Straight air |
| Train brakes |
Air |
| Locale |
North America |
| Disposition |
Three preserved, remainder scrapped |
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 (1,490 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 96 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. Also limiting the model's utility as a true road unit was its lack of a short hood, which the (ironically) lighter-duty H-15-44 did have. Three intact examples of the H-20-44 are known to survive today; all are the property of railroad museums.
[edit] Units produced
[edit] References
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
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