FM "H15-44" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History

Last revised: December 27, 2024

The H15-44 was Fairbanks-Morse's first, true road-switcher. This locomotive simply followed Fairbanks Morse "Hood" line.

The notable exterior differences between switchers and road-switchers was the cab location; the former was always set to one end of the carbody while the latter was off-set allowing for a short, high hood.

While the H15-44 did not sell well, future designs had somewhat better success. Alas, given the few number of H15-44s ultimately built, none were preserved. It is one of the few FM models that does not survive.

Photos

Rock Island's only two H15-44's, #400 and #401, after they were reengined with Electro-Motive 567C's (May, 1958), layover at the engine house in Peoria, Illinois, circa 1959. They were later traded in to General Electric in September, 1966. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

The H15-44, designed to compete against similar models then in production by Baldwin and American Locomotive, entered FM's catalog in August, 1947 when the company completed demonstrator #1500 for the Association of American Railroads' (AAR) Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey that year.

The locomotive utilized the builder's unique 2-cycle, 38D8 1/8 opposed piston prime mover, which could produce 1,500 horsepower.

This diesel engine became the company's standard for all of its locomotives. The H15-44 was quite similar to Electro-Motive's GP7 released a few years later; it was about the same length at 54 feet and offered the exact same horsepower.

Because Fairbanks Morse was not heavily involved with the railroad industry prior to releasing its diesel line the company had little knowledge on styling and overall design.

To compensate for this lack of aesthetics, FM hired famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy to mold the H15-44 into a pleasing carbody that offered crews good visibility and versatility.

Loewy's recommendations were subtle, and while some were more cosmetic in nature than utilitarian they were effective in giving the locomotive a nice look with clean lines and a flush roof.

In truth, the H15-44 (and all of FM's switchers and road switchers) carried an appearance similar to Baldwin's designs.

FM's model classification system also followed Baldwin's to some extent although they were not quite as complex. In the H15-44's case:

"H" stood for Hood unit
"15" was for 1,500 horsepower
Each 4 meant four axles and four traction motors

Kansas City Southern H15-44 #45 (built as Louisiana & Arkansas #41) is seen here in Pittsburg, Kansas, circa 1965. Robert Eastwood, Jr. photo. American-Rails.com collection.

In the end FM constructed only 36 units when the last was out-shopped in June of 1949. The railroads that went on to purchase the locomotive included:

Akron, Canton & Youngstown (1)

Central of Georgia (5)

Demonstrators (3)

Jersey Central (13)

Monon (2)

Denver & Rio Grande Western (3)

Kansas City Southern (2)

Rock Island (2)

Union Pacific (5)

Interestingly, Fairbanks-Morse's succeeding H16-44 design proved to be one of the company's best selling models.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Entered Production	8/1947 (Fairbanks-Morse #1500)
Years Produced	8/1947 - 6/1949
Fairbanks-Morse Class	H15-44
Engine	38D8 1/8, 8-cylinder Opposed-Piston
Engine Builder	Fairbanks-Morse
Horsepower	1500
RPM	850
Carbody Styling	Raymond Loewy
Length (Inside Couplers)	54'
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)	14' 6"
Width	10' 4"
Weight	240,000 Lbs
Trucks	B-B
Truck Type	GSC Swing Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer
Truck Wheelbase	9' 4"
Wheel Size	42"
Traction Motors	362F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	472A, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG45D, Westinghouse
MU (Multiple-Unit)	Yes
Gear Ratio	15:63, 17:62, 19:60
Tractive Effort	42,800 Lbs at 10.5 mph (15:63); 37,200 Lbs at 12.2 mph (17:62); 32,200 Lbs at 14.0 mph (19:60)
Top Speed	65 mph (15:63), 75 mph (17:62), 82 mph (19:60)

Production Roster

Total Built = 36

Owner	Road Number	Construction Number	Contract Number	Completion Date	Quantity
Fairbanks-Morse (Demo)	1500*	15L6	LD66	8/1947	1
Fairbanks-Morse (Demo)	1502**	15L16	LD66	8/1947	1
Fairbanks-Morse (Demo)	1503***	15L14	LD106	2/1949	1
Monon	45-46	L1198-L1199	LD21	9/1947	2
Rio Grande	150	15L3	LD36	1/1948	1
Rio Grande	151-152	15L4-15L5	LD36	2/1948	2
Union Pacific	DS1325-DS1326	15L7-15L8	LD38	4/1948	2
Union Pacific	DS1327-DS1329	15L9-15L11	LD38	5/1948	3
Rock Island	400-401	15L12-15L13	LD31	12/1948	2
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1501	15L15	LD66	1/1949	1
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1503-1504	15L17-15L18	LD66	1/1949	2
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1505-1508	15L19-15L22	LD66	2/1949	4
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1509-1512	15L23-15L26	LD66	3/1949	4
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1513	15L27	LD66	4/1949	1
Kansas City Southern (Louisiana & Arkansas)	40-41	15L28-15L29	LD74	5/1949	2
Central Of Georgia Railway	101-105	15L30-15L34	LD82	6/1949	5
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	200	15L36	LD80	6/1949	1

* Became Jersey Central #1500 in September, 1948. Following its completion the unit was showcased at the AAR Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey in August, 1947.

** Became Jersey Central #1502.

Other FM equipment featured at this event included a pair of Erie-Built "A" units (which became Union Pacific #984A-985A) along with H20-44 demonstrator #2000.

*** This unit was originally completed as demonstrator #1503 in February, 1949. It was sold to the Long Island Rail Road in June, 1950 and uprated to 1,600 horsepower.

Sources

Kirkland, John F. Diesel Builders, The: Fairbanks-Morse And Lima-Hamilton. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1985.

Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

Schafer, Mike. Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 1998.

Rock Island H15-44 #401 carries out switching chores near LaSalle Street Station on May 13, 1964. Marty Bernard captured this scene from Chicago's Roosevelt Road Viaduct.

While the H15-44 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.

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