PERRIS, Calif. – After sitting dormant for more than 30 years, a rare Fairbanks Morse H12-44 switcher made its public debut on Saturday, Jan. 20, following a multi-year restoration at the Southern California Railway Museum.
Built in 1956, ATSF No. 560 was part of an order of six H12-44s built for the Santa Fe. They were among 36 such units built, including 20 for Southern Pacific. According to SCRM, No. 560 likely worked out of Argentine, Kan., during its Santa Fe career, before being sold in 1974 to a company in Texas where it worked for 16 years.
In 1990, the Orange Empire Railway Museum (now SCRM) purchased No. 560 and moved it to the museum grounds in Perris. After only running a few times, the unit needed replacement parts that were not easy to come by. Following an attempt to get No. 560 running in 2007, the unit sat relatively untouched until 2020. That year, an evaluation showed the exterior and cab interior were in good condition, while the prime mover would require significant work, and an official restoration began.
A milestone was reached Sept. 4, 2020, when the dual opposed-piston engine turned over for the first time in decades and No. 560 made a short move. The museum then set a goal to raise $40,000 to fund refurbishment of the locomotive’s exterior, asking donors what paint scheme they would like to see restored to the unit.
More than 3½ years later, No. 560 rolled outside in the Santa Fe “Zebra Stripe” scheme it wore on delivery. In its debut in revenue service on museum trains, it was supported by FP45 No. 108 in Santa Fe’s warbonnet scheme.
Amazing engine, I’ve always been fascinated by the opposed piston arrangement. I don’t know where I got it but I have an engine service manual for that dated 1951.
The Milwaukee rostered a fair number of F-M builds including H12-44’s, Beloit being on line.
Under the new rules from CARB, don’t all of these historical diesels have to vacate the state by 2035?
Pretty sure the museums are exempt.
Congratulations to the SCRM for seeing this project through to completion. My affection for railroad history (especially trolleys and interurban lines) was first kindled out in Perris decades ago, when I was growing up in suburban L.A. Time for another visit!