Great shot of a good FM. Lots of railroads had these but it seems to be the one modelmakers refuse to do. I guess because UP had none.
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| Posted by Triplex on December 18, 2023 | |
Before seeing your comment, I was already going to make a model-related remark. This is the fairly uncommon late-production, short-frame H12-44, the one that always makes me think of models because it was the only version ever done in N scale, the overproduced Trix model. Yes, the lack of a modern model is a major omission. This version should be doable on an Alco S-series chassis, while the more common H10-44 and long-frame H12-44 would fit on a VO-1000 chassis, meaning Atlas would have an easier job than anyone else...
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Well compared to earlier H10-44 and the early versions of the H12-44 the later spartanized version with no overhang and much of the Raymond Lowey design aspects stripped from the locomotive, they lost the allure of model makers I am afraid.
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I always feel like these FM units looked better running like this one, short nose forward. what a great shot.
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I would take issue somewhat with Triplex. I think the majority of H12-44s were this configuration. B&O is the only one I can think of that that had the earlier one. Certainly these had the great spread of owners. Even C of G had a few. I was fortunate to ride a few hours in ones owned by the Army. They put on a sheet metal overhang, which FM should have kept. Since homes are getting smaller HO modelers need more like this, not Baldwin Centipedes. Keep lobbying folks!
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| Posted by Triplex on December 20, 2023 | |
There are *several* looks of H12-44. Early ones look like H10-44s including the roof overhang. Mid-production ones (of which there are probably several variants I don't yet know) are like https://www.railpictures.net/photo/59176/ and I think those are the commonest. Compare this one to that other example and you should notice the NKP engine is shorter.
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