Fairbanks Morse
Designs of the Decade
-
1930's
The Opposed Piston diesel engine is developed at Fairbanks Morse.
- The development of the Model 38 O.P. engine began in 1935. The first engines built were 5" bore and 6" stroke. Later the design was changed to a 5-1/4" bore and 7-1/4" stroke.
- A larger engine was also designed and was first built as an 8" bore and 10" stroke. The design was changed into an 8-1/8" bore and 10" stroke.
- The larger 8-1/8" was first rated at 160 H.P. per cylinder at 720 rpm. Today they are rated as high as 368 H.P. at 900 rpm.
1939 The "Vulcan" one of the 6 Southern Railway streamliner
passenger trains that were powered by the newly developed
Opposed Piston 5 cylinder Model 38D8 2 cycle diesel engines.
-
Experiments included the use of cast iron blocks which were later discarded in favor of welded blocks. (above)
No. 1 experimental engine on test. (left)
1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990
