Anyone doing (or considering) doing an FM loco?

[railbard]

I have neither the skills, software nor inclination to learn 3D design, so I'm dependent on the highly talented folks in the RW community to eventually get around to making stuff I'd like to run.

So I'm asking if anyone is considering or has done any of the Fairbnaks-Morse ouevre?

I'd love to have one of the switchers which always looked so unique, and/or a Trainmaster. I'd LOVE an Erie-built but I won't be greedy. :) The MSTS models look nice but I think they'd be spectacular as RW engines.

Baldwin Sharks would be cool too. :)

Thanks for your consideration!

Kevin (who is dabbling in route and scenario design to make up for his lack of 3d motivation and ability : )

[Chacal]

Considering and currently working on FM and Baldwin engines.

[railbard]

Excellent! You have my deepest thanks and moral support! I suppose I'd better finish learning how to do routes and actually do one for these potential locomotives to play upon...

[jpetersjr]

What does one of these look like.

I for one have no idea.

[PapaXpress]

**cough** http://thegradecrossing.blogspot.com/se ... bel/H24-66 **cough**

[railbard]

Ferris PapaXpress, yer my hero!

Here's a classic H10-44 FM switcher. Note the Raymond Loewy designed curves! :



Here's the heavy duty Trainmaster:



Here's the interesting C-Liner:



And the massive "Erie-Built":



FM locos were unique in that they used opposed-piston diesel engines, more common in maritime applications. They were TALL, and hard to maintain. But oh so cool....

[PapaXpress]

Right now, I only have the Train Master on the list. And as my post says: "No Promises". I would really love to get my U Boat out first. And don't forget that I have made promises to make about half a dozen models for other people here. And then, do forget that I have a 180 mile dream route I just started working on again, And then, I have some blog posts I need to write which (I hope) will help others with their routes. And then.... do you see where this is going?

[Chacal]

Let's call it the "mdurdan - PapaXpress project management system".

[PapaXpress]

LOL

I have a couple requests for him on my list.

[johnmckenzie]

FM locos were unique in that they used opposed-piston diesel engines

Almost unique





DELTIC prototype!





Production Deltic locos - 1960s green and 1970s blue



How's that for opposed pistons? 72 pistons and 36 cylinders per loco, along with complex phasing gearing. Two crankshafts rotating anticlockwise and one clockwise per engine, all needing to mesh together. An absolute maintenance nightmare. And also very cool.

[johnmckenzie]

And I quite agree - your Fairbanks Morse locos were very cool indeed!

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Wasn't the Deltic prime mover also a marine engine adapted to land use after WWII? Given the power to weight ratio I presume Deltic engines were used in torpedo boats and other light but fast attack vessels.

Most early Diesel engine employed in railway service were originally developed for other uses.

Slow speed (r.p.m. and piston speed) large bore heavy Diesel engines from tugs, trawlers and such came from lots of manufacturers.
Maybach's high speed (r.p.m.) and small bore light weight stressed thin walled engines were originally developed for airship (Zeppelin) use before being adapted for use in early high speed streamlined passenger trains in Germany (prewar SVT "Fliegende Hamburger" etc.) and the Netherlands (prewar DE III and DE V)
F-M and Deltic opposed piston engines came from marine use I think.
Most of these early designs proved unsuitable for railway use, mainly because of the wildly varying load and operating conditions that lead to high maintenance costs and uneconomic duty cycles.

General Motors was probably the first to succesfully design exclusive railway engines that have withstood the test of time.

[johnmckenzie]

Wasn't the Deltic prime mover also a marine engine adapted to land use after WWII? Given the power to weight ratio I presume Deltic engines were used in torpedo boats and other light but fast attack vessels.

Exactly so, yes.

[PapaXpress]

We did cover most of this here:
viewtopic.php?p=13238#p13238

[railbard]

The FM opposed piston also was originally a marine application.

Papa, there's no rush or expectation on my part. I still have MSTS installed and if I really REALLY have the urge to drive an FM, I can fire the old girl up and run all of those over there. :)