The FM H10-44

The FM H10-44 was the first in the builder's switcher locomotive line. It was constructed during the latter half of the 1940s and sold relatively well for Fairbanks Morse in comparison to other models the company released. The H10-44 was originally meant to be used only in yard service. However, as is so often the case in the industry, railroads found that the model could be utilized in all types of work from yard service to branch line duty. For Fairbanks Morse it faced the same issues of the other two manufactures trailing the Electro-Motive Division in the diesel locomotive market, Baldwin and the American Locomotive Company. The company could produce a fairly reliable, rugged, and efficient switcher (for instance, its H12-44 model sold even better). However, when it came to main line models to be used in heavy and/or extensive freight/passenger service issues began to arise. In any event, H10-44s could be found in operation on Class I railroads from time they were cataloged in 1944 through the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Baltimore & Ohio H10-44 #9702 is seen here in Baltimore on January 19, 1969.

The FM H10-44 began production in August, 1944 capable of producing 1,000 horsepower using Fairbanks Morse's 2-cycle 38D8 1/8 opposed-piston prime mover. The switcher featured a B-B truck setup and a high hood with the cab set to one end. As was the case with other models being produced during the time, such as Baldwin's "Sharknose" carbody design, the H10-44 received its beveled edges and curves from industrial designer Raymond Loewy (a man who was actually hired by numerous railroads around the country for various styling work from diesels and steam to even electric locomotives). As was the case with the both Alco and Baldwin, FM outsourced internal components for its locomotives, such as traction motors and generators, to Westinghouse Electric.

While some railroads and shop forces complained of FM's complicated opposed-piston design no one could argue with the incredible tractive effort and pulling power its locomotives offered. For instance, the H10-44 could produce 72,000 pounds of starting tractive effort and 34,000 pounds continuous. Similar models offered by Alco and EMD could simply not match the starting effort of FMs, which among other things helped immensely in getting a train or cut of cars moving quickly.

Chicago & North Western H10-44 #1063 rolls through Proviso Yard doing daily switching chores as a crewman rides the pilot on July 11, 1966.

You may be wondering what was behind FM's switcher designation, which was somewhat similar to Baldwin's early diesel locomotive models, although it was much easier to understand and did not include so many letters, dashes, and number designations. Using the FM H10-44 as an example the “H” stood for Hood unit, “10” was for 1,000 horsepower, and each 4 meant four axles and four traction motors. While the FM H10-44 was only marginally successful from a sales standpoint it is not necessarily because Fairbanks Morse's models in general were unreliable, as was usually the case with Alco (early on anyway) and particularly Baldwin.

Reliability with FM's diesel locomotives has often been questioned but I believe the issue was mostly due to the fact that FM's opposed-piston prime mover was difficult to maintain and far different from the standard designs being offered by the other builders. For instance, in regards to the Train Master, it has been noted by John Kirkland in his book The Diesel Builders Volume 1 that the locomotives performed admirably for more than 20 years on the Southern Pacific due to a maintenance team that understood the model, despite taking a daily beating in freight service. By the time production had ended on the H10-44 in April, 1950 Fairbanks Morse had sold 195 units to a wide range of Class I and smaller railroads (the PRR purchased the most, 55).

Pennsylvania H10-44 #9192 is parked at the Chicago & North Western's Proviso Yard in Melrose Park, Illinois on June 22, 1966.

Today, at least three FM H10-44s are known to be preserved, all of which are former Milwaukee Road units; #760, #767, and #781. The former unit #760) was the first ever produced by Fairbanks Morse and is one of the only examples of its diesels that is still in operating condition at the Illinois Railway Museum. For more information about these preserved units please click here. Also, for a total production roster of FM H10-44s please click here. Lastly, for more information about the FM H10-44 and all of the builder's switcher models please refer to the chart below.

Fairbanks Morse Switchers

Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern H10-44 #11 is parked just outside the shortline's main shop building in Glenwood Junction on June 21, 1964.

For more information on Fairbanks-Morse locomotives consider Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic FMs, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.  You may also want to consider the book Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the title implies the book looks at the history and development of the diesel locomotives, covering 200 pages, from its earliest beginnings to the newest designs and models operated today. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.