Ex-US Army Locomotive

Attempting to start up the ex-US Army Fairbanks Morse model H12-44 #1857 at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum with almost dead batteries. Will she finally start? Watch & find out! This engine was built in 1953, and used by the US Army up until around the mid-1980's, and then purchased (rescued from the scrapper) by the Feather River Rail Society shortly afterward. Enjoy!

[@jeremymenchaca]

Its former army equipment. just hit it with a hammer. It will start.

[@Loco4Locomotives]

And if it doesn't start, paint it!

[@jorgeducatiducati8410]

Jerog

[@paulne1514]

We had a few (9) of these at the steel mill I worked at. Although I never made it to engineer, it was fun to operate these. Excellent low end torque, with hardly any wheel spin. I was probably the last conductor to load sand in them. Although we tried to get the mill to donate them to museums when it shut down, management had them cut up! (4 were still operational)

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Nice unit! Not a whole lot of those opposed piston diesels left in running shape anymore. Definitely a treasure.

[@snickpickle]

This is the first time I have heard an FM start, let alone run! Glad to see there's one still going!

[@halliebohan884]

On the Coast Guard Icebreaker the 6 mains and four ship service generators were all air start. The emergency generator which was battery start ran the radio room and. an air compressor. All six mains were F-M. Ten cyclinder 2000 HP and the four ship service generators were six cyclinder F-M ad well. Top main engines ran at 125 rpm and powered 5000 HP main motors one port and one starboard which gave the ship 10000 HP brewing Ice. Hal USCG 1971 to 1981 2 tours on the Mighty Mac.

[@sigmasquadleader]

There's what appears to be (to my untrained eye, driving at 65MPH) an old GP-9 on a spur on the Camp Pendleton line, which for the most part is completely defunct. I've walked along the old rail, now overgrown with 20-30 year old eucalyptus trees growing in between the ties. From what I've been told, the line ran from Pendleton through Fallbrook, all the way to 29 Palms, and was used for troop transport and military freight. Must have been amazing to see a line of flat cars hauling howitzers.

[@EstorilEm]

Damn, that inside idle sound almost put me to sleep like a damn baby lol. I could listen to that all day.

[@rleclare]

I live by the Hamilton Ontario port on Lake Ontario. Some of the big freighters that come in have these big OP engines. The sound is amazing. When I was young the C-Liners and H-16-44 would lift the big trains up the Milton Sub on the CN and sounded the same way. Its music. I still sit by the pier at Hamilton and the sound always takes me back. Maybe not on the rails but these engines will be around for a long time.

[@ericl2969]

I grew up in Madison, WI, and The Milwaukee Road operated a yard there where they had three, maybe even four FM switchers. Their days were nearly over by the time I learned of their significance and paid attention to them. They sure had a lovely and unique sound.

[@strobx1]

Sound similar to an EMD.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Yeah, when it comes to the history of train engines, FM switchers were state of the art at one point. They replaced the older "AM switchers", but of course they themselves were replaced many years later by the modern "Sirius/XM trains". I'll admit that It's possible I'm conflating 2 separate technologies here.

[@GP9railfan]

1857 is a very popular locomotive at the museum. Alot of folks rent this one to be the engineer at her controls for an hour or so. More info info on this is on the WPRRM website.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Exhaust cleared pretty quickly after she fired up. Paintwork might be a bit "original condition", but she seems in pretty good mechanical shape.

[@douglasskaalrud6865]

F-M OPs always sounded great and they had that nice little belch of smoke when they were loaded up.

[@P51ride]

When the F-M engines were used in the US WWII subs they were started with compressed air

[@douro20]

There are a good number of air-start RS-18s.

[@Barnekkid]

I could dig working with these guys.

[@wazza33racer]

Air start for the win.

[@Trainlover1995]

I remember those startup sounds and the smoke this locomotive belched. I drove this locomotive in the Rent-A-Locomotive program, along with SP 2873.

[@CatHeadKnows53]

Always requires the right combination of curse words and luck!! :-) Great video!

[@GP9railfan]

@MRstingray1969 Yes you are correct. One of my friends had a tugboat with one of these in it. 1,800 HP. The one in his tugboat started with compressed air though. My Dad has a VHS video of that tug in action somewhere. That was almost 20+ years ago, but I'll never forget the sweet symphony it made.

[@n3o1er]

Now thats a jump start!

[@GP9railfan]

@Polybun Haha. Yeah, about that, the WP RR museum is limited on funding, so they have to go with what they receive in donations from visitors, or from what UP, & BNSF donate to them as far as no longer needed/surplus parts go. I believe the power-packs that were used to jump start 1857 came from a wrecked UP locomotive from what one of the members that works there told me.

[@GP9railfan]

@Barnekkid They could use the help that's for sure. If I didn't live 200+ miles away, I'd be there almost every chance possible. If you go to their site you can sign up if you're interested in volunteering there. Thanks for stopping by.

[@deme7063]

@GP9railfan thanks for the reply. I've looked up the WPRRM website and hope to someday make it out there. looks like one hell of a neat place!

[@cameronjenkins6748]

I got to drive the GP9 that is residing in the background. The phrase "kid in a candy store" would be an understatement.

[@Trainlover1995]

I got to drive it, too, along with the FM started up in this video.

[@GP9railfan]

@deme7063 Hi there. No, unfortunately it doesn't work that way. The MU cables you are talking about are only used to sync the remaining units (locomotives) behind the lead unit in the lash-up. When additional locomotives are hooked up to the lead unit, the lead unit is in control of the others behind it. The power packs work just like a car battery setup, only alot bigger. Thanks for asking. :)

[@izzynutz2000]

I used to have an uncle that works for Fairbanks Morris

[@williamgunter6801]

I remember being at their yard on a February 2008 Saturday volunteer work day when this was out and being used in Engineer training.

[@Lasselkv28]

Oh man what a beautyful noise.

[@GP9railfan]

@megatwingo Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Lots more like this on my channel if you like watching vintage railroad equipment in action.

[@mattadey6728]

+GP9railfan you guys r awesome for using an old cat forklift.

[@Darrell1981]

I gave thumbs up for effort. That was a big battery!

[@kiltedvampire]

Not so much as "History in the making" but a "comedy of errors". The term "Chinese fire drill" comes to mind. Obviously not one of their better days. But love the FMs. Going to have to go up there one of these days to see the museum. Thanks for the clip.

[@GP9railfan]

@ahnbra Also, this one was sitting for about a month or so. The batteries were dead in it at the time because someone that works there left them connected still, and it was decided to jump start it with a set of power packs just to keep things oiled up. It was also scheduled for a "Run-a-locomotive" rental the next day.

[@blockstacker5614]

They say the opposed piston engine can be more efficient and reliable than any other. They still manufacture the same engines today.

[@claudioeternod7064]

Is it a two stroke engine? I had never heard this loco working. It's been a surprise the sound!!

[@tony8074]

swearing is a proven way to get awkward things to work. I know a little trucker tongue works from personal experience.

[@cheekster96]

@seth4404 The FM Opposed Piston diesel engines can be found in all of the US Navy nuclear subs.

[@Robotechnology101]

I know the feeling having someone call or talk to you when you are trying to film something. very interesting.

[@Redmanfms]

@P51ride The diesels on modern nuke subs are started with compressed air still.

[@deadlybombproductions426]

i can imagine this as the first locomotive doubleheading with SP 1487 GGRM behind it

[@mow4ncry]

We have 1 at the GGRM running X ARMY now lettered SP 1487 and 1 on the NCRy ARMY # 1856

[@NODARRYL]

Great video it's on my favorites thanks.

[@GP9railfan]

@snickpickle Absolutely! There are still a few of them kicking around across the country, but they are a rare breed now for sure.

[@megatwingo]

Cool loco and a nice video. Thumbs up! :)

[@johnmenanno2152]

Great video

[@davelowe1977]

I'm surprised the chuckle brothers didn't try to push start it.

[@synthfreakify]

Nice sound, once they get it started at 5:20

[@billmoran3812]

How many volunteers does it take to start a locomotive? As many as possible. How many workers on a real road to start a locomotive? One.

[@trainzaholic]

These babies were awesome. They were super fast because they had no reverse lever. the throttle had a upper and lower quadrant. You flipped it from go-forward to go-back; the engine would lug down with an awful groan, and off you'd go in the other direction! probably no one else had this feature because their traction motors couldn't take this kind of abuse.

[@jaswmclark]

The traction motors on these couldn't take it either, and please don't ask me how I know. If you were caught by the Locomotive foreman it would mean a 30 day vacation without pay.

[@trainzaholic]

James Clark I ve have been inside one of these brutes and have heard these things growl and spit and sputter while being inside.

[@danilopeterson3467]

Like sound of Fairbanks Morse. However like better as maritime or ground based stationary backup generator sets (NOT for railway use, that nowadays MUST be totally ELECTRIC)!

[@tpvalley]

@GP9railfan 1200hp, hence name H12-44; 12= 1200hp 44= 2 4 wheel trucks (Bo-Bo) This is a 6 cylinder version, FM made a 12 cylinder 2400hp and an 8 cylinder 1600hp engine also.

[@tpvalley]

@deme7063 generally the multiple working cables are only air lines; the engine speed is controlled by air, this works the governor which uses engine oil pressure.

[@GP9railfan]

@Robotechnology101 Yes. I normally turn my phone off but forgot to that time. Thanks.

[@n2uid01]

I wish I could have seen the engine of this locomotive. I wondered if it was an opposing piston engine like the ones that powered our fleet subs in WW2

[@GP9railfan]

Craig Wood Yessir, FM opposed piston 1,800 SHP like the WWII subs and other naval vessels were equipped with. Many were/are still used for powering emergency auxiliary generators also.

[@n2uid01]

@@GP9railfan Thank you so much. I appreciate your reply.

[@skyraiderjet]

Railroads Across Maine only 1200hp not 1800, hence the name H12-44

[@williamgunter6801]

It is!

[@GP9railfan]

It sat for about 3 weeks if I can recall.

[@SwindellSteamWorks]

At 3:05, saw a engine that ran on Great American Train Rides Part 1 by Pentrex, F7 #921-D. For some reason, whenever I try to find a clip of it here on KZbin, I get nothing. So, I gave up and thought they changed the number to #918-D. But I can see I was wrong.

[@oldfarmer4700]

If I'm not wrong I am pretty sure this engine was at Ft Knox and used to move rail cars loaded with tanks and APC's. They were replaced by GP10's.i could be wrong though.

[@tpvalley]

lol, fucking mobile phones! I only EVER get called at times like this!

[@choppergirl]

I miss the good old days, when people use to race trains. I mean literally, train against train. We had some of the best wrecks back then. Now, pfft, what do they feed the kids on the boob tube, Effing Nascar! Those old Elmer's back in the day knew how to do a derailment and explosion right!

[@Trainman-cw1zl]

the museum that I volunteer at but I like the cowork we have an alco rs2 from the Alexandra division but instead we decided to paint it as a southern alco bad thing is we can't ever find batteries for it no more considering cuz their batteries or humongously big their old there more less destroyed and it's very hard for us to replace them or find them so more less our locomotive just sits there for looks but from time to time we like to climb up inside of the cab blow on the horns get air pressure put back inside of it and blow the horns and bells test the brakes but we can't get it to start up anymore which is said to sit just sit there but sometimes plans don't go his way as you think

[@bigikediesel]

awesome OP!

[@camp70s6]

And this is how you jump-start a train.

[@bluedorissmith6352]

great sounding machine, love it. Geoff. U>K

[@petedefillipo8852]

I own the sister unit to the #1857. Its the #1845 and also built in 1953

[@cpufreak101]

how the hell do you own a whole train?

[@Romans--bo7br]

@@cpufreak101.... Better read it again, he Never said Anything about "owning a whole train". He Said... ''I own the sister unit to the #1857. Its the #1845 and also built in 1953". Where do you get owning "a train" out of that? A train.. is Not a locomotive. A train, is what is pulled (or shoved from the rear) By the locomotive(s).... whether it's just two "cars" or 230.

[@cpufreak101]

@@Romans--bo7br ok fucking smart alec

[@TheChevytruckguy]

wow thats one hell of a battery i need one in my car lol

[@dieselroarmt875]

@MRstingray1969 the licience was sold to soviets and they developed it to a 10 cylinder turbocharged variant

[@formidable38]

@GP9railfan LOL, I dont supose they would! Dam nice unit though!

[@wolfen216]

Diesel locomotive used in the US are Diesel electric, they use electric motors for drive, so there is no clutch. The Diesel engine only spins a generator to create electricity.

[@kevinwong6588]

Fairbanks-Morse switchers do resemble somewhat British Class 08s, I admit.

[@formidable38]

Il take that UP E9 on the right please!

[@woltar9]

5:19sec best momentum love it sound awesome I did sub

[@tubatriplett]

Vertical Drive's are fun to work on.

[@ahnbra]

i was wondering if all the train opperate or could opperate? Also how long had that Fairbanks locmotive been sitting befor this start up in your video? This locomotive is a 1957 model year correct? I will be signing up shrotly. Very interesting video. Thank you for making and posting it.

[@reneandre1174]

LMAO - it's like watching three stooges trying to start a locomotive!

[@packardexelence]

+Rene Andre NO NO NO NO; WRONG I AM A FAN of the three stooges; MO would have FIRST STOLD an EMD GP-40 (to coupel to the FM) while Larry & Curly DUMPED about 700 feet of SAND on the RAILS in FRONT of the FM(FOR TRACTION!!)----and ---THEN-- TRY TO KICK-START THE DIESEL-ELECTRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@petenikolic5244]

Some DECENT jump leads would not go amiss rather small gauge and way too long.

[@GP9railfan]

They had to use what they had on hand. They had to redo the connection to get it to crank over on the second attempt.

[@tpvalley]

in the uk our older locos use many small batteries, u seem to have fewer but bigger ones? U need ether to start? Addictive stuff for engines.

[@EIRR1]

How long did it take you guy's to get this thing up & going again?? Ithink this video is actaully really interesting!!

[@RandallMoore1955]

go army, hell yes.

[@MagnetOnlyMotors]

Very cold? C’mon it’s summertime!

[@GP9railfan]

MagnetOnlyMotors, Lower 40’s early spring time, and mostly cloudy that day. The engine hadn’t been run in about 7 months since the previous summer. The batteries went flat over the winter, as nobody is really there during the snow season. Thanks for watching.

[@ericshaw6458]

This might be a dumb question but is that an opposed piston diesel

[@GP9railfan]

Yessir

[@andyharman3022]

How many cylinders and HP does an H12-44 have? I'm guessing 8 cylinders, 1200 HP.

[@christopherdibble5872]

The engineers, don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954.

[@modeltrainproductions3167]

Looks like it needs fresh batteries from the battery maker

[@oddwad6290]

Is it my possible to use an old Lincoln sae 400 welder/generator as a jump pak ? Is the voltage output , 32+ v at 400 ammos too low ? Input power could be 220v or 460v . Lincoln also made a 400 a welder powered by a 2-71 detroit , Model: SA 400 ?

[@TrainmasterCurt]

There's nothing like an F-M or CLC diesel

[@imeldaortizgarcia7727]

Como Me Encantaría Llegar Aprender A Manejar Una Locomotora De Patio Y De Camino

[@Kitfugl]

@ 5:36 - Bless you

[@david121912]

Why is the 951 over there?, doesn't UP still use & own it?

[@alcobufff]

Hi I'm putting together a KZbin video on FM's locomotives. would it be ok if I used some of this footage?

[@GP9railfan]

Yes no problem

[@snakeplissken5493]

Opposed piston engine ?

[@greenfuzz13]

It's tough to record good sound on any kind of engine. Directional microphones unlike the human ear have a narrow pickup pattern which usually gives a very good recording of clattering and rotating noises above any overall exhaust note making it sound like the thing is hammering and grinding itself to death. Microphones are dumb and the human brain is a pretty good sound mixer. (protect your hearing)

[@jetstream454]

You're right, however it's not a great recording device either and as such the microphone is lower quality

[@jimmydcap]

Would it help if I got out and pushed....

[@nomon95]

Eter in the intake manifold or turbo???t saw an sprayer.

[@merlemorrison482]

reminds me of the Keystone Kops.....

[@Romans--bo7br]

The "young" people, today..... so sad! This H12-44 sure sounds "Similar" to the EMD 12-567... at least at idle.

[@northerbrewer]

I might look at some thicker cable to boost with. Do they get a little warm?

[@madcatdaveh]

how long a go was this shot !!!!!!

[@GP9railfan]

Dave Hamlin April 2010

[@nomon95]

64vcc tottally batteries,in series???for start??

[@Peter43John]

I believe those were called, baby trainmasters.......

[@dannyhonn973]

No. H2466 was Train Master. The H 1666 as used by C&NW and Milwaukee Road were the Baby Tra inmaster. 800 less hp, and about 4 feet shorter

[@edmctug8800]

LFMAO at 445 in the video guys cusses out somebody for a broken tip on a can of starting fluid lol

[@paulcarlsson2921]

+Flying King huh?

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

What do diesel loco's use to start? Do they have a starter motor like a car engine?

[@GP9railfan]

ChillCosmos Some use compressed air, but most use the traction motor generator as the starter.

[@speed150mph]

Depends on the unit. the old EMD switcher units and all GE locos use the main generator or traction alternator to crank the engine. Most EMD road switchers use electric starter motors like your car, and the newer SD-70ACE and m-2 use air starter motors.

[@bogthing1]

Did the guy with the ether can have a yankees cap on?

[@GP9railfan]

Haha no it’s an Oakland A’s hat

[@bogthing1]

@@GP9railfan Thank God! (my old eyes)