Skip to main content

 

Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster - Santa Fe Models:   Did the Santa Fe have this model?  I could not find any information on the internet.

 

One of my favorite locomotives is the FM Trainmaster Diesel Engine.

 

This locomotive has been produced in O scale by Lionel and MTH.  The post war Lionel models have been highly collectible.

 

Here are some prototype details:

 

The H-24-66 was a diesel-electric railway locomotive model produced by Fairbanks-Morse and its Canadian licensee, the Canadian Locomotive Company. These six-axle hood unit road switchers, known as Train Masters were deployed in the United States and Canada during the 1950s. Each locomotive produced 2,400 horsepower (1.8 MW). They were the successor to the ultimately unsuccessful Consolidated line of cab units produced by F-M and CLC in the 1950s. In common with other F-M locomotives, the Train Master units employed an opposed piston-design prime mover. The official model designation was H-24-66 and rode on a pair of drop equalized three-axle "Trimount" trucks giving it an C-C wheel arrangement. Touted by Fairbanks-Morse as "...the most useful locomotive ever built..." upon its introduction in 1953, the 2,400 horsepower (1.8 MW) H-24-66 Train Master was the most powerful single-engine diesel locomotive available, legendary for its pulling power and rapid acceleration.

   

Units manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse (1953–1957) - 107

 

 

 

 

Lionel Santa Fe O scale model from 1981:

 

For the third year running, Lionel introduced another new FM in 1981.  This one was decorated in Santa Fe colors, and was the first FM to include an electronic horn. The 8157 is hardest to find of the regularly catalogued FMs from the MPC era.  1981 was a banner year for Lionel, with many exciting top of the line engines and sets, and the 8157 was not given a prominent place in the catalog.  Other pieces seemed to attract collectors' attentions that year, making the 8157 a tough find today.

 

 

MTH Santa Fe O Scale Model from 2002:

 

FM Trainmaster Diesel Engine - With Proto-Sound 2.0 - ATSF (Blue & Yellow)
Cab Nos. 2822 2825 & 2827
Product Number: 20-2352-1
M.S.R.P. $ 379.95
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Originally Posted by phillyreading:

Have you checked on www.wikipedia.com to see if the Santa Fe bought that model from Fairbanks Morse? Type in railroads or Fairbanks Morse, as FM made the units.

 

Far as I know the FM Trainmaster was mainly an eastcoast engine, but I am not 100% positive on that. I know eastcoast railroads had many of the FM Trainmasters, CNJ and Reading Lines.

 

Lee Fritz

Why check Wikipedia?

 

The answer was already given.

 

And the answer is zero.

 

Southern Pacific was the only western U.S. railroad to roster Train Masters.

 

Rusty

Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by phillyreading:

Have you checked on www.wikipedia.com to see if the Santa Fe bought that model from Fairbanks Morse? Type in railroads or Fairbanks Morse, as FM made the units.

 

Far as I know the FM Trainmaster was mainly an eastcoast engine, but I am not 100% positive on that. I know eastcoast railroads had many of the FM Trainmasters, CNJ and Reading Lines.

 

Lee Fritz

Why check Wikipedia?

 

The answer was already given.

 

And the answer is zero.

 

Southern Pacific was the only western U.S. railroad to roster Train Masters.

 

Rusty

Rusty is 100% correct regarding the Southern Pacific being the only western railroad to roster them. 

 

Originally they bought them for use on freight hauls between El Paso and Los Angeles, but ultimately they found they were ill-suited for the dry, sandy, high winds encountered along that route.  They relocated them to the Bay Area where they had the advantage of a labor pool that specialized in opposed-piston engine maintenance and repair, and they tried them out in commuter train service between San Francisco and San Jose, which they did very well due to their ability to accelerate quickly and could haul more cars behind them than their passenger Geeps, which was desirable to keep up with rush-hour service and stay on schedule.

 

Occasionally they also did freight duty while in the Bay Area too.  Ultimately, when F-M left the locomotive manufacturing business, the SP's Trainmasters' days were numbered, and SP's acquisition of SDP45s to replace them was the final nail in the coffin.  All their F-Ms were retired by May 1975, and all were subsequently scrapped.

 

It's interesting to note that although the SDP45s were plenty powerful, Southern Pacific had to do some extensive electrical modifications to them in order for them to match the quick acceleration of the Trainmasters.

Last edited by John Korling

I hate to harp on an issue, but the reason I say to check with wikipedia is because many people still feel that what is made by a model train company is really made in the real world.

 

I saw the other post on Real Trains and that is why I am coming back with this reply. I was going to let things be, but people need to be set straight at times. The post is; Santa Fe Trainmaster H24-66?

 

Lee Fritz

Originally Posted by phillyreading:

I hate to harp on an issue, but the reason I say to check with wikipedia is because many people still feel that what is made by a model train company is really made in the real world.

 

Lee Fritz

Just my opinion, but I don't put a lot of stock in Wikipedia when it comes to railroad related information. I've been in the railroad motive power business all my life, and if Wikipedia indicates that the sun rises in the east, and sets in the west,,,,I'll double check that this evening!

Santa Fe Train Masters...C&NW T.M.s.....Chessie System Train Masters????? Makes you wonder what these people are on!  FM would have loved to get all that additional business, but it wasn't gonna happen.  Reason?  Too high a cost per horsepower/ high engine operating expense in the R.R. application/ most important...FM corporate instability from 1955 onward.  In the '50s, the six axle Diesel scene was viewed in a much more limited light than today. Back then, you could buy an SD7; which had all the advantages of a Shay, and none of the disadvantages!  The first SD7 was built in May, 1951, and from that point on, the TM was dead in the water...and it wasn't even fully designed yet!

Originally Posted by jaygee:

Santa Fe Train Masters...C&NW T.M.s.....Chessie System Train Masters????? Makes you wonder what these people are on!  FM would have loved to get all that additional business, but it wasn't gonna happen.  Reason?  Too high a cost per horsepower/ high engine operating expense in the R.R. application/ most important...FM corporate instability from 1955 onward.  In the '50s, the six axle Diesel scene was viewed in a much more limited light than today. Back then, you could buy an SD7; which had all the advantages of a Shay, and none of the disadvantages!  The first SD7 was built in May, 1951, and from that point on, the TM was dead in the water...and it wasn't even fully designed yet!

The Illinois Central was poised to order 75 Train Masters, but it was that corporate instablility that made them reconsider.  It probably would have only kept FM afloat for a few more years.

 

A magazine once pictured FM artwork of what they would have looked like, but I've never been able to find it.  It think the photo might have departed with my Extra 2200 South collection years ago.

 

Too bad, TM's in IC black and white would have been magnificent.

 

Rusty

Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:
Originally Posted by Gene H:

Wasn't the Southern Pacific the only western road to purchase Trainmasters new?

SP was the only western U.S. road to purchase Train Masters new or used.  (SP bought the TM-3 and TM-4 demonstrators.  TM-1 and TM-2 went to the Wabash.)

 

Rusty

 

SP purchased TM-3 and TM-4 which technically would be considered "used," the remaining 14 units were bought new.

 

Either way, it doesn't matter as SP was the only western railroad to roster Trainmasters as was previously stated.

Originally Posted by John Korling:
Originally Posted by bob2:

Pretty sure Santa Fe had some 16-44s.

 


Yes they did, but those weren't Trainmasters.  And the C&W wasn't considered a "western railroad."

"Western" railroad or not, the C&NW had the so-called "baby" Train Masters (which is a railfan inspired term and not FM terminology,) the H16-66.  They were shorter than the Train Masters.  And they weren't used in C&NW commuter service.

 

Only an H24-66 is a Train Master.

 

Rusty

Last edited by Rusty Traque

In going thru  some of my books, the following railroads had the Train Master:

Canadian National

Canadian Pacific

CNJ

Delaware, Lackwana & Western

Penn

Reading

Southern Pacific

Southern

Virginian

Wabash

 

The CN and CP only had one each.  Virginian led the pack with 25.  Reading had 17 and the SP had 14.

 

In 1956, under license, the Canadian Locomotive Company manufactured some of them.

 

For a while SP used them to pull the commuter trains between San Francisco and San Jose.

 

Matt

Originally Posted by boin106:

In going thru  some of my books, the following railroads had the Train Master:

Canadian National

Canadian Pacific

CNJ

Delaware, Lackwana & Western

Penn

Reading

Southern Pacific

Southern

Virginian

Wabash

 

The CN and CP only had one each.  Virginian led the pack with 25.  Reading had 17 and the SP had 14.

 

In 1956, under license, the Canadian Locomotive Company manufactured some of them.

 

Matt

Woah there... Canadian Pacific had more than one Train Master. 8900-8920. 

 

The 8901 was even originally built with a full width short hood to house two steam generators:

cpr8901

 

Rusty

Attachments

Images (1)
  • cpr8901

The NYCS had TMs on order, the 4600 series of seven, IIRC. Some were actually painted at Beloit, when the order was cancelled. These units became the first of the Espee order. Train Masters were always noted for quick acceleration and that would would be a function of electrical excitation and gearing. CNJ and Lackawanna used them to great effect in Jersey commuter service as well.  PRR was also interested in a large TM order, to be placed in 1957.  The Penn also wanted "protection" in the event that FM folded, a good idea, given the times. FM wigged out, and Penn gave their big six motor order to Alco and EMD.  

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×