FM H-16-66 explained

FM H-16-66
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:Fairbanks-Morse
Buildmodel:H-16-66
Builddate:1951–1958
Totalproduction:59
Aarwheels:C-C
Trucks:Baldwin-style Commonwealth or Tri-mount
Wheeldiameter:420NaN0
Minimumcurve:22° (260feet radius)
Wheelbase:42feet
Length:56feet
Width:10feet
Height:14feet
Locoweight:286000lb
Primemover:FM 38D-8 1/8
Enginetype:Two stroke, opposed piston diesel
Aspiration:Roots blower
Displacement:8295cuin
Generator:Westinghouse 472 BZ
Tractionmotors:(6) Westinghouse 370-GL
Cylindercount:8 cylinders (16 pistons)
Cylindersize:8.125x
Maxspeed:65x
Poweroutput:16002NaN2
Tractiveeffort:1120001NaN1
Locobrakes:Straight air / Dynamic
Trainbrakes:Air

The H-16-66 was a 1,600 horsepower (1.2 MW) locomotive, with a C-C wheel arrangement that was manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse from January, 1951 until October, 1958 as a smaller alternative to their better known FM H-24-66 "Train Master" locomotive. With an 8-cylinder prime mover developing 1600 hp compared to the H-24-66's 2400 hp from as 12 cylinder engine, the H-16-66 was commonly referred to as the "Baby Train Master". Although sharing a common model designation, four different carbody variants existed with a total of only 59 locomotives produced.

Preserved units

Former Alcoa H-16-66 #721001 is privately owned, and since 12 November 2012 has been located adjacent to the Canadian Pacific Railway rail yard at Nelson, British Columbia. Although never on the roster of the CPR, it has been repainted in the CPR's 1950s and 1960s "Tuscan and Grey" colour scheme, and bears the fictional numbering CPR 7009. This corresponds to the last in a number series formerly reserved for diesel demonstrators on the CPR. It is coupled to CPR C-liner 4104, which has also been repainted in the tuscan and grey colour scheme. The "Baby Train Master" and C-liner have been placed on static display beside the restored historic Nelson CPR station. The siting of these locomotives here is fitting, as the CPR division around Nelson was one of the final redoubts of Fairbanks-Morse / Canadian Locomotive Company power in North America, and the former Nelson shop was among the last to specialize in the maintenance of these units.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum added unit F3060 (originally number 24) to its collection thanks to a donation from the Tennessee Valley Authority. The unit was built in October, 1958 and spent its entire working life at TVA's Gallatin Power Plant near Gallatin, Tennessee until its retirement in 1997. Plans are for the locomotive to be moved and displayed in time for the start of the museum's year-long 60th anniversary celebration beginning Oct. 14, 2021.

Units produced by Fairbanks-Morse (1951 - 1958)

RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
Chicago and North Western Railway451510 - 1514, 1605 - 1612, 1668 - 1683, 1691 - 1700, 1901 - 1906  
Chicago and North Western Railway affiliate Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway6150, 168 - 172
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad  62125 - 2130Renumbered 550 - 555; 553 - 555 renumbered 547 - 549
Squaw Creek Coal Company (Alcoa)1721001Preserved
Tennessee Valley Authority124Renumbered F3060, donated to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Arrived August 21, 2021.
Total59  

References