FM P-12-42
Encyclopedia
The P-12-42, also known as the Speed Merchant, was a streamlined, 1200 hp locomotive built between 1957–1958 by Fairbanks-Morse
, specifically to operate on each end of the Talgo
train produced by American Car and Foundry
. This model represented F-M's attempted entry into the lightweight locomotive market, but only four of the low-slung units were produced: the first pair was purchased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
for their John Quincy Adams
train New York, New York to Boston, Massachusetts), while the second pair went to the Boston and Maine Railroad for their Speed Merchant
train (Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine
).
The P-12-42's eight-cylinder opposed piston engine
was normally rated at 1600 hp after 1950, but was derated
due to train lighting and other ancillary loads ("hotel" power). The 100-ton units measured 60 in 0 in (18.29 m) long by 10 in 6 in (3.2 m) wide by 12 in 0 in (3.66 m) high, and were configured in a B-2 wheel arrangement mounted atop a pair of two-axle AAR
road trucks
, geared for 117 mi/h with only the first two axles powered. The P-12-42 was one of the first locomotives to have its prime mover
configured to run at a constant speed, with traction generator output regulated solely by excitation.
The New Haven locomotives were dual-powered, and came equipped with third-rail
pickups to allow them to operate in New York's
Grand Central Terminal
(the first dual-power locomotives light enough to operate on the Park Avenue viaduct
).
F-M expected to sell many more units to the New Haven, and to spin the technological advance off into a line of passenger units, including a proposal that used a Train Master
-style carbody, but with financial troubles preventing F-M from extending financing to customers, the (cash-strapped) NH ultimately opted to purchase a fleet of sixty EMD FL9
s instead, as GM financing was available for the purchase.
The New Haven's Talgo train was sold for service in Spain, in 1962, and their locomotives sat unused afterwards, until being scrapped in 1971. The Boston and Maine's train remained in service until 1964.
Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks Morse and Company was a manufacturing company in the late 19th and early 20th century. Originally a weighing scale manufacturer, it later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, locomotives and industrial supplies until it was merged in 1958...
, specifically to operate on each end of the Talgo
Talgo
Talgo is a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles. It is best known for a design of articulated railway passenger cars in which the wheels are mounted in pairs, but not joined by an axle, and being between rather than underneath the individual coaches...
train produced by American Car and Foundry
American Car and Foundry Company
American Car and Foundry is a manufacturer of railroad rolling stock. One of its subsidiaries was once a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of ACF and ACF-Brill. Today ACF is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri...
. This model represented F-M's attempted entry into the lightweight locomotive market, but only four of the low-slung units were produced: the first pair was purchased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
for their John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams (train)
The John Quincy Adams was a named train of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, between New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts. The John Quincy Adams was an attempt by the New Haven to modernize rail travel and lure people out of their cars...
train New York, New York to Boston, Massachusetts), while the second pair went to the Boston and Maine Railroad for their Speed Merchant
Speed Merchant (train)
thumbThe Speed Merchant was a named train of the Boston and Maine Railroad, between Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. The Speed Merchant was purchased by the Patrick B...
train (Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
).
The P-12-42's eight-cylinder opposed piston engine
Opposed piston engine
An opposed-piston engine is a reciprocating internal combustion engine in which each cylinder has a piston at both ends, and no cylinder head.-Configurations:...
was normally rated at 1600 hp after 1950, but was derated
Derating
Derating is the operation of a machine at less than its rated maximum power in order to prolong its life. The term is commonly applied to electrical and electronic devices and to internal combustion engines.-In electronics:...
due to train lighting and other ancillary loads ("hotel" power). The 100-ton units measured 60 in 0 in (18.29 m) long by 10 in 6 in (3.2 m) wide by 12 in 0 in (3.66 m) high, and were configured in a B-2 wheel arrangement mounted atop a pair of two-axle AAR
Association of American Railroads
The Association of American Railroads is an industry trade group representing primarily the major freight railroads of North America . Amtrak and some regional commuter railroads are also members...
road trucks
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
, geared for 117 mi/h with only the first two axles powered. The P-12-42 was one of the first locomotives to have its prime mover
Prime mover (locomotive)
In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...
configured to run at a constant speed, with traction generator output regulated solely by excitation.
The New Haven locomotives were dual-powered, and came equipped with third-rail
Third rail
A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track. It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system, which has alignments in its own corridors, fully or almost...
pickups to allow them to operate in New York's
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal —often incorrectly called Grand Central Station, or shortened to simply Grand Central—is a terminal station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States...
(the first dual-power locomotives light enough to operate on the Park Avenue viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
).
F-M expected to sell many more units to the New Haven, and to spin the technological advance off into a line of passenger units, including a proposal that used a Train Master
FM H-24-66
-External links:* * * *...
-style carbody, but with financial troubles preventing F-M from extending financing to customers, the (cash-strapped) NH ultimately opted to purchase a fleet of sixty EMD FL9
EMD FL9
The EMD FL9 was a dual-power electro-diesel locomotive, capable of diesel-electric operation and of operation as an electric locomotive powered from a third rail...
s instead, as GM financing was available for the purchase.
The New Haven's Talgo train was sold for service in Spain, in 1962, and their locomotives sat unused afterwards, until being scrapped in 1971. The Boston and Maine's train remained in service until 1964.
See also
- The Roger WilliamsRoger Williams (train)-See also:*Baldwin RP-210, a lightweight train locomotive built for the New Haven's Dan'l Webster train.*Fairbanks-Morse P-12-42, a lightweight train locomotive built for the New Haven's John Quincy Adams train....
, a lightweight, high speed DMUDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
train, built for the New Haven. - The Dan'l WebsterDan'l Webster (train)The Dan'l Webster was a named train of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, between New York, New York and Boston, Massachusetts. The Dan'l Webster was an attempt by the New Haven to modernize rail travel and lure people out of their cars...
, a lightweight train, operated by the New York, New Haven and Hartford RailroadNew York, New Haven and Hartford RailroadThe New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad , was a railroad that operated in the northeast United States from 1872 to 1968 which served the states of Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts...
.
