Lionel 2333262 ROCK ISLAND LEGACY H-15-44 #401, O Gauge

Fairbanks Morse introduced their 1500 horsepower road switcher in 1947, contracting Raymond Loewy to design the carbody. The locomotives balanced a functional design with a little bit of style and flair. Befitting their style, many were equipped for passenger service, although most were quickly relegated to freights. After just a few years of production and some improvements in the prime mover, the locomotive was upgraded to 1600 horses. There were no major changes in the overall body of the locomotive between the H-15-44 and early H-16-44s, though the majority of the latter were built with FM's C-Liner style truck as opposed to AAR trucks on the original model. Over the years ahead, railroads would make modifications and smaller differences in screen and vent styles and locations appeared in both models. The most common change, during or after construction in later years included moving the safety railings from the hood body to the outside of the frame. It did little to help Loewy's look, but safety came first. Some railroads experimented with reengining the locomotives as well, but most were in scrap lines by the early 1960s. Based on our H-16-44, we have made some tooling and truck modifications to backdate our models. Why? Some of these paint schemes were just too good to resist! In these striking liveries, the H-15-44 will look great on the point of a small passenger or freight consist. Perfect power for smaller roads or just adding a touch of style to your fleet of "look-alike" GP7s, an H-15-44 will be a standout on any roster.