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FM OP800

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FM OP800
A Fairbanks-Morse Model OP800 railcar, former Georgia Northern Railway #2.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderSt. Louis Car Company
ModelOP800
Build date1939
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AAR2-A1A (as built)
later 3-A1A
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length80 ft (24.38 m)
Prime moverFM 5OP 38F-5-1/4-5
Engine typeOpposed piston 2-stroke diesel
AspirationRoots Blower
GeneratorWestinghouse DC
Traction motorsDC
Cylinders5
Cylinder size8 in × 10 in (203 mm × 254 mm)
TransmissionDiesel-electric
Loco brakeStraight air
Train brakes6-ET Air
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 mph (130 km/h)
Power output800 hp (600 kW)
Career
OperatorsSouthern Railway,
Georgia and Florida Railroad,
Georgia Northern Railway
LocaleNorth America
DispositionAll scrapped

The OP800 was a lightweight, streamlined railcar built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1939. Fairbanks-Morse supplied the 800 hp (600 kW), five-cylinder 8 in × 10 in (203 mm × 254 mm) opposed piston engine prime mover. The units were configured in a highly unusual 2-A1A wheel arrangement (later converted to 3-A1A)[1] mounted atop a pair of road trucks, and equipped with a front swing coupler pilot. The aft section was divided into two separate compartments: one was used to transport baggage and the other served as a small railway post office, or RPO (the forward door, located just behind the radiator louvers, was equipped with a mail hook).

Six units, accompanied by matching trailing car sets, were manufactured exclusively for the Southern Railway. Two were later sold to the Georgia and Florida Railroad and Georgia Northern Railway as maintenance cars. The remaining four OP800s were scrapped in 1955; selected parts were retained for maintenance use on other SR F-M motive power.

At least four of these cars had individual names applied to them, including "Vulcan", "Cracker", "Joe Wheeler", and "Goldenrod".[2]

No OP800 units survive.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Southern Ry equipment diagram" (JPG). Southern.railfan.net. Retrieved 2015-06-25.
  2. ^ "Southern Passenger Locomotives". Southern-railway.railfan.net. 2001-03-03. Retrieved 2015-06-25.

Bibliography

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