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A Little Prototype Background

Fairbanks Morse (FM) had four phases to their H10-44 and H12-44 switcher production (approximately 1948-1957).  A little known fact is that the Phase IV's frame was 3' shorter than the three earlier phases of H12-44.   The prototype we followed, as best we could, was a late Phase IV FM H12-44,  represented
here by Santa Fe 561 shown at Argentine Yard in May 1962:


Photo by Stan McCarthy; "Santa Fe Vol 4: Texas-El Capitan", "Morning Sun Books, page 87

And here's our representation:


Photo by Randy Gustafson

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The Making of Santa Fe 565,  Zebra Stripe FM H12-44 Switcher
 
As most of you know, back in the early early days of N scale, the Minitrix FM switcher was about the only decent diesel switcher then available.  Here's a shot of the Trix switcher before starting the project.  That ugly, wrong-color baby blue is the factory Trix paint color;  that color along with ugly plastic handrails both had to go! :


Photo by Randy Gustafson

The Trix FM Switcher has a high mount, three pole, double shafted motor, brass worms to nylon idlers, and brass gears on the wheels. There's no flywheels, of course, so it cogs slightly on start, then smoothes out.  It isn't a rocket, but it isn't a LifeLike SW8 either (which is the best switcher in N as far as I am concerned).

Like nearly all Trix's, it runs well, although a tad noisy with the brass gears. Pickup is with wipers on the wheels and a wiper system in the fuel tank.  Works fairly well and tends to get better with age.  Eight wheel drive and pickup, pulls well.  Truck mounted Micro-Trains couplers (better for switching on tight curves).

Some construction progress shots, all photographed by Randy Gustafson:


Photo by Randy Gustafson


Photo by Randy Gustafson

Randy used decal set Microscale 60-247, grimy black paint on the trucks and flat black on the rest of the engine, installed wire stanchions all around that match the prototype, Dullcoated, and installed sunshades.  Randy Gustafson does great work, wouldn't you agree!   And here's the final result:


Photo by Randy Gustafson

Here is the rear of a prototype FM H12-44 locomotive and it's associated Zebra Stripe chevron pattern (this is a Phase III H12-44 with the 3' longer carbody, notice the Phase III louver pattern on the hood is different than the Phase IV):




And here's a similar angle on Santa Fe 565:


Photo by Randy Gustafson



  Click on the image on the left to see photo-by-photo installation of a Richmond Controls LED light package in this switcher

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Finally, for Rivet Counters:

Finally, for those of us who like to count rivets, we will want to discuss the following:

1.  Why is this model's Zebra Stripes in silver rather than the more common white zebra stripes on Santa Fe switchers?

Answers: 
a)  Some of the FM and other Santa Fe switchers were randomly painted with silver Zebra Stripes (Santa Fe 561 above seems to be one case). 
b)  Because I simply liked the look of the silver stripes better than white stripes
c)  Because a silver Zebra Stripe FM H12-44 better matches the silver and black Zebra Stripe Santa Fe H31-66 Trainmaster


2.  Santa Fe's final order for FM H12-44 switchers encompassed road numbers 544 to 564.   Then why is this locomotive numbered 565?   Well........

Answer:   Because the Minitrix FM model, while close, is not an exact model of either a Phase III or a Phase IV FM H12-44 switcher.  

Therefore, I deemed it appropriate to give the model a fictitious 'could have been' number.  (I will refrain at this time from creating some silly April Fool's story about a "Phase V FM H12-44 that was never actually built").

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That's all for now!   We hope you enjoyed our little show.

Randy Gustafson
John Sing

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Please feel free to send comments to:  singj@us.ibm.com

This webpage created by:

John Sing
San Mateo, California, USA

Modeling the Santa Fe's Peavine Line (Ash Fork -> Phoenix, Arizona)
in the 1950s and 60s - in N scale

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