| AT&SF H12-44TS 541 at Corwith Yard Shops in Chicago, Illinois on April 11, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. I stuck my head inside the shops and snapped this photo before getting caught. By process of elimination, I determined this MIGHT be 541. Obviously it is being repainted, and looking at repaint dates at https://old.atsfrr.org/resources/CrossetGene/ATSF_all-time%20diesel%20roster/pwr0500.htm number 541 fits the bill (rpnt to BYT2 paint bef 20May65). Number 541 was built by F-M in Beloit, Wisconsin during May 1956 (c/n 12L1021), retired June 1, 1972. It was one of only three such models built, AT&SF road numbers 541-543. Quoting from the book, Fairbanks-Morse Locomotives In Color, by Jim Boyd: "Shuffling passenger consists between Chicago's Dearborn Station and its 21st Street Coach Yard was a problem for the Santa Fe because the trains had to be supplied with steam heat during the moves. To solve the problem, in May 1956 Santa Fe had F-M build three unique boiler-equipped switchers (541-543). These H12-44TS units were essentially H12-44's placed on elongated underframes with the steam generator placed in a short hood behind the cab. Riding on switcher trucks, in spite of appearances, these units were not road switchers." One example, 543, exists today, I believe, at the Illinois Railway Museum, having previously been in the collection of the California State Railroad Museum.. |