FM C-Liners, The Consolidated Line

FM C-Liners, officially cataloged as the builder's Consolidated Line was Fairbanks Morse cab unit models. Overall FM built six different types of cab units during the 1950s the CPA16-4, CPA16-5, CPA20-5, CPA24-5, CFA16-4, and CFA20-4. The C-Liners had replaced FM's earlier cab model the Erie-Built, which proved to only be a marginal success at best. The updated version of FM's cab designs did not feature a carbody nearly as elegant as the former model and had almost a European look. It was offered in either passenger or freight (and four or six axles), and was intended to compete with the Electro-Motive Division's (EMD) popular E and F series. Unfortunately, the C-Liners saw about the same level of success, and FM canceled the line after only a few years of production.

The first of these FM C-Liners was the CFA16-4 introduced in early 1950; it produced 1,600 horsepower model using a B-B truck arrangement and was meant to be used in freight service. You may be wondering what was behind each model's designation, which were somewhat similar to Baldwin's early diesel designations. Using the CFA16-4 as an example the "C" referred to cab unit, "F" listed it for freight service, "A" was a designation for A unit, "16" was short for 1,600 hp, and "4" was the number of axles it carried. Of all the FM C-Liners the CFA16-4 sold the best outshopping 90 A and B units. However, the model sold much better to the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National (through FM's Canadian Locomotive Works) than it ever did to U.S. railroads as only the Milwaukee Road, Pennsylvania, and New York Central purchased examples.

Unfortunately, the rest of the line did not fare so well. The only other cab freight unit model, the CFA20-4 sold just 15 units. FM's passenger models the CPA16-4, CPA16-5, CP20-5, and CP24-5 sold just 60 units combined. Of these, the five axle models (the CPA16-5, CP20-5, and CP24-5) are the most interesting. They featured a B-A1A setup whereby the front two axles were powered but the rear trucked included three axles with a non-powered center axle (thus the term A1A). The reason for this was that FM situated its steam generator (which powered on board amenities for passengers, such as heating) in the rear of the locomotives and the area needed extra support.

All of the FM C-Liners had internal components, such as traction motors, generators, and air equipment outsourced to Westinghouse Electric (which was the case with all of its diesel models). Overall, virtually every model offered tractive efforts ranging from 65,000-70,000 pounds starting to 32,000 pounds continuous. Additionally, all models offered dynamic braking, something Fairbanks Morse did not include with many of its early diesel models.

Today, at least three FM C-Liners are known to be preserved, all of which are located in Canada (last word is that one C-Liner still owned by Canadian Pacific remains stored but operational). For a total production roster of FM C-Liners please click here. Also, for technical data on these models please click here. Lastly, for more information about the FM C-Liners please refer to the chart below.

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Fairbanks Morse Cab Units

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