FM H-20-44

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FM H-20-44
An FM H-20-44 locomotive, retired Union Pacific #1366
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Fairbanks-Morse Model H-20-44 Build date June 1947 — March 1954 Total produced 96
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC B′B′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Length 51 ft 0 in (15.54 m) Loco weight 254,000 lb (115.2 tonnes) Prime mover FM 38D-8 1/8 Engine type Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Displacement 10,369 cu in (169,920 cm3) 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 Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h) Power output 2,000 hp (1.49 MW) Tractive effort 42,125 lbf (187.38 kN)
Career Locale North America Disposition Three preserved, remainder scrapped

The FM H-20-44 was a diesel locomotive manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse from June 1947 – March 1954. It 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 preserved at railroad museums. These were former Southwest Portland Cement units donated in the early 1980s.

A six axle version for better traction was catalogued, but no orders were placed, and no demos were built.

• "Fairbanks-Morse 38D8 Diesel Engine". PSRM Diesel Locomotives. Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. 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. (November 1985). The Diesel Builders Volume 1: Fairbanks-Morse and Lima-Hamilton. Interurban Press. ISBN 0-916374-69-6.

• 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.

• Fairbanks-Morse H20-44 Roster
• Preserved Fairbanks Morse Four-Axle Road Switchers
• PSRMA's History of UP 1369 — photo and short history of the second unit built, one of the three surviving FM H-20-44s.