FM "H16-44" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History

Last revised: December 27, 2024

The H16-44 would prove the builder's most successful road-switcher of the five it ultimately cataloged.

Not only did this particularly locomotive see strong sales but the company also found a variety of buyers including foreign lines in Mexico as well as orders through its subsidiary, the Canadian Locomotive Company.

The H16-44 was virtually identical to its sister model, the H15-44, save for a slight increase in horsepower, which came to be a strong selling point for the model.

Fairbanks-Morse's four axle road-switchers were actually quite similar to its standard switcher line except for the location of the cab; switcher cabs were always located at end of the carbody while road switchers' were off-set allowing for a short, high hood.

The success of this model is somewhat surprising given FM's struggles in the road-switcher market.

It attempted to offer the very powerful H24-66 "Train Master" but the model failed to gain much interest, along with the builder's other road-switchers.

Baldwin and American Locomotive saw similar struggles attempting to break Electro-Motive's monopoly of that era. Despite the many H16-44s built and sold just three remain preserved today; none of which are extant in the United States.

Photos

Pennsylvania H16-44 #5158 is seen here in Chicago between assignments during the summer of 1966. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

The H16-44 began production in the spring of 1950, following the earlier H15-44 model. It utilized Fairbanks Morse standard 2-cycle 38D8 1/8 opposed piston prime mover which could produce a slight increase of 1,600 horsepower.

It used swing bolster, drop-side equalizer trucks, commonly found on all of its four-axle road switchers.

The exterior of the H16-44 was the work of industrial designer Raymond Loewy who gave the road-switcher soft, beveled touches and clean lines.

It actually looked quite nice and overall was similar to the enhancements Loewy applied to Baldwin-built road switchers, such as its Standard line of the early 1950s.

New Haven H16-44 #594 (built as #564) lays over at the Charles Street Roundhouse in Providence, Rhode Island in 1955. American-Rails.com collection.

During production, FM was forced to find a new supplier for electrical equipment (such as traction motors, generators, auxiliary generators, etc.) as Westinghouse ended manufacturing these components.

The move was somewhat surprising considering the company's traction motors were rugged and of very high quality. They have even been argued as superior to Electro-Motive's products at the time.

This discontinuance also hurt Baldwin, then a Westinghouse subsidiary, which relied on its equipment. As a result of the decision, FM began outsourcing to General Electric in 1954.

Milwaukee Road H16-44's #405, #410, and #435 at Portage, Wisconsin in September of 1964. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Data Sheet and Specifications

(Westinghouse Equipment)

Entered Production	4/1950 (Missouri-Kansas-Texas #1591)
Years Produced	4/1950 - 9/1954*
Fairbanks-Morse Class	H16-44
Engine	38D8 1/8, 8-cylinder Opposed-Piston
Engine Builder	Fairbanks-Morse
Horsepower	1600
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	63:15, 62:17, 60:19
Tractive Effort	48,600 Lbs at 9.9 mph (63:15); 42,200 Lbs at 11.4 mph (62:17); 32,000 Lbs at 14.0 mph (60:19)
Top Speed	70 mph (63:15), 80 mph (62:17), 85 mph (60:19)

* The final locomotive to be out-shopped with Westinghouse equipment was Milwaukee Road #2462.

(General Electric Equipment)

Entered Production	6/1954 (Virginian Railway #10)
Years Produced	6/1954 - 2/1959*
Fairbanks-Morse Class	H16-44
Engine	38D8 1/8, 8-cylinder Opposed-Piston
Engine Builder	Fairbanks-Morse
Horsepower	1600
RPM	850
Carbody Styling	Raymond Loewy
Length (Inside Couplers)	55'**
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	40" (42" Optional)
Traction Motors	GE752E1 (4), GE
Traction Generator	GT567C1, GE
Auxiliary Generator	GY43A, GE
MU (Multiple-Unit)	Yes
Gear Ratio	See Table Below
Tractive Effort	See Table Below
Top Speed	See Table Below

* Production of the H16-44 officially ended in February, 1959 when FM discontinued locomotive production following the completion of Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico #509-513.

However, the company returned to FM and asked for an additional eighteen H16-44's (along with one H12-44), which were completed between December, 1960 and March, 1963.

** Beginning with Virginian Railway #10, the H16-44 featured the same carbody as the big H24-66 "Train Masters." Forty-four H16-44's were built before the carbody was increased to 55' 4" (Virginian #16).

Of note, Milwaukee Road #2458-2462 were equipped with Westinghouse electrical gearing.

Norfolk & Western H16-44's (ex-Virginian) switch hoppers at Lamberts Point in Norfolk, Virginia, circa 1968. American-Rails.com collection.

Gearing

GE Equipment

Gear Ratio	Wheel Diameter	Maximum Speed	Continuous Tractive Effort (Lbs)	Continuous TE Rating Speed (MPH)
74:18	40"	66	53,000	8.8
74:18	42"	69	50,500	9.2
65:18	40"	75	46,600	10.0
65:18	42"	69	44,300	10.5

Production Rosters

Fairbanks-Morse

Total Built = 241

Owner	Road Number	Construction Number	Contract Number	Completion Date	Quantity
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy)	1591	16L369	LD89	4/1950	1
New Haven	560-563	16L279-16L282	LD99	11/1950	4
New Haven	564	16L283	LD99	11/1950	1
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1514-1517	16L304-16L307	LD91	7/1950	4
New Haven	565	16L308	LD99	11/1950	1
Southern Railway	2146-2150	16L310-16L314	LD120	12/1951	5
New Haven	566	16L315	LD99	11/1950	1
New Haven	567-569	16L316-16L318	LD99	12/1950	3
Southern Railway	6545-6550	16L319-16L324	LD100	12/1950	6
Union Pacific	DS1340-DS1342	16L370-16L372	LD110	8/1950	3
Long Island Rail Road	1501	16L373	LD115	10/1951	1
Long Island Rail Road	1502, 1504-1509	16L407-16L413	LD115	10/1951	7
New York Central	7000-7008	16L414-16L422	LD118	7/1951	9
New York Central	7009-7012	16L423-16L426	LD118	10/1951	4
Santa Fe	2800-2805	16L501-16L506	LD107	3/1951	6
Santa Fe	2806	16L507	LD107	4/1951	1
Santa Fe	2807	16L508	LD107	5/1951	1
Santa Fe	2808	16L509	LD107	6/1951	1
Santa Fe	2809	16L510	LD107	12/1951	1
Southern Railway	2151-2155	16L511-16L515	LD120	12/1951	5
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy)	1731	16L516	LD119	9/1951	1
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy)	1732-1734	16L516	LD119	10/1951	3
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	201-203	16L530-16L532	LD122	5/1951	3
Pennsylvania	8807-8816	16L579-16L588	LD129	4/1952	10
Santa Fe	2810-2815	16L589-16L594	LD130	6/1952	6
Santa Fe	2816-2819	16L595-16L598	LD130	7/1952	4
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western	930-935	16L687-16L592	LD145	12/1952	6
Baltimore & Ohio	906-907	16L697-16L598	LD144	12/1952	2
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	204-205	16L783-16L784	LD168	4/1954	2
Milwaukee Road	2450-2457	16L815-16L822	LD160	1/1954	8
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	206	16L831	LD163	3/1954	1
Virginian Railway	10-15	16L866-16L871	LD167-2	6/1954	6
Milwaukee Road	2463-2467	16L908-16L912	LD172-2	8/1954	4
Milwaukee Road	2468-2469	16L913-16L914	LD172-2	9/1954	2
Milwaukee Road	2458-2462	16L915-16L919	LD172-1	9/1954	5
Virginian Railway	30	16L920	LD177-1	1/1955	1
Virginian Railway	17	16L921	LD177-1	2/1955	1
Virginian Railway	18	16L922	LD177-1	1/1955	1
Virginian Railway	19-23	16L923-16L927	LD177-1	2/1955	5
Virginian Railway	24-25	16L928-16L929	LD177-1	1/1955	2
Virginian Railway	26-27	16L930-16L931	LD177-1	12/1954	2
Virginian Railway	16	16L932	LD177-2	3/1955	2
Virginian Railway	31	16L933	LD177-1	2/1955	1
Milwaukee Road	2500-2508	16L934-16L942	LD174	12/1954	9
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	501-502	16L943-16L944	LD181	8/1955	2
Bosques de Chihuahua	SW501	16L947	LD180	5/1955	1
Virginian Railway	32-33	16L948, 16L960	LD177-1	2/1955	2
Baltimore & Ohio	925-926	16L961-16L962	LD178	4/1955	2
Virginian Railway	28-29	16L963-16L964	LD177-1	12/1954	2
Baltimore & Ohio	927	16L969	LD178	4/1955	1
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	505-506	16L970-16L971	LD181	7/1955	2
Virginian Railway	34	16L975	LD183	10/1955	1
Virginian Railway	35-39	16L988-16L992	LD183	10/1955	5
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	207	16L993	LD189	12/1955	1
Milwaukee Road	2509-2513	16L994-16L998	LD190	1/1956	5
Milwaukee Road	2514-2516	16L999-16L1001	LD190	2/1956	3
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	507	16L1002	LD192	2/1956	1
New Haven	1600-1602	16L1032-16L1034	LD198	6/1956	3
New Haven	1603	16L1042	LD198	6/1956	1
New Haven	1604-1608	16L1043-16L1047	LD198	7/1956	3
New Haven	1609-1612	16L1126-16L1129	LD198	7/1956	4
New Haven	1613-1614	16L1130-16L1131	LD198	8/1956	2
Virginian Railway	40-42	16L1132-16L1134	LD199	11/1956	3
Virginian Railway	43-47	16L1135-16L1139	LD199	12/1956	5
Pittsburgh & West Virginia	90-91	16L1140-16L1141	LD202	12/1956	2
Pittsburgh & West Virginia	92-93	16L1142-16L1143	LD202	1/1957	2
Baltimore & Ohio	6705-6709	16L1144-16L1148	LD211	3/1957	5
Akron, Canton & Youngstown	208	16L1156	LD212	3/1957	1
Virginian Railway	48-49	16L1177-16L1178	LS62560, LS62562	10/1957	2
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	509-513	16L1181-16L1185	LD217	2/1959	5
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	600-602	16L1186-16L1188	LD218-1	12/1960	3
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	514-519	16L1189-16L1194	LD218-2	3/1961	6
Bosques de Chihuahua	1000	16L1195	LD219	12/1961	1
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	520-525	16L1196-16L1201	LD220-1	2/1963	6
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico	603-604	16L1202-16L1203	LD220-2	3/1963	2

Canadian Locomotive Company

Total Built = 58

Owner	Road Number	Construction Number	Completion Date	Quantity
Canadian National	1841-1858	2862-2879	3/1955-5/1955	18
Canadian Pacific	8547-8556	2890-2899	6/1955-7/1955	10
Canadian Pacific	8601-8610	2942-4951	11/1956-12/1956	10
Canadian Pacific	8709-8728	2958-2977	3/1957-6/1957	20

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western H16-44 #934 is seen here on the Bangor & Portland Branch. Given the locomotive's fresh paint and like-new appearance, the photo probably dates to the summer of 1953, about 6 months after she was delivered to dieselize this segment of the railroad. American-Rails.com collection.

When production began on the H16-44 it quickly found a following; by 1950, some lines like the Akron, Canton & Youngstown and Pittsburgh & West Virginia had become loyal FM customers.

In total, nearly two dozen lines purchased the H16-44 including the AC&Y, P&WV, Santa Fe, Baltimore & Ohio, Jersey Central, Milwaukee Road, Lackawanna, Katy, New York Central, New Haven, Pennsylvania, Southern, Union Pacific, and Virginian.

Additionally, Mexican lines Bosque de Chihuahua and Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico purchased 32 total examples.

Finally, the Canadian Locomotive Works built 58 units for the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific, the former of which apparently really liked the model buying 40 examples.

Interestingly, while there were many FM H16-44s built few remain preserved, one of which is a former CP unit (#8554 in Calgary, Alberta at the Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society of Western Canada and two former Chihuahua Pacifico units in Mexico, #524 and #525.

Sources

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

Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.

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

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