In 1948 and 1949 a small group Fairbanks-Morse engineers in a leased office in Chicago churned out the design for a new cab unit diesel. The concept involved a standarized carbody with options galore based on standard units, hence the "Consolidation Line" name. Choices included fuel tank size, truck arrangement, steam generator, and engine options. "Consolidation Line" quickly became "C-Liners"