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EMD F59PH and F59PHI
Top: F59PH operated by Amtrak on the Piedmont Bottom: F59PHI operated by Amtrak on the Capitol Corridor
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Build date F59PH: 1988–1994 F59PHI: 1994–2001 Total produced F59PH: 72 F59PHI: 83
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Length F59PH: 58 ft 2 in (17.73 m) F59PHI: 58 ft 7 in (17.86 m) Prime mover F59PH: EMD 12-710G3A F59PHI: EMD 12-710G3C-EC Cylinders 12
Performance figures Maximum speed F59PHI: 110 mph (177 km/h) Power output F59PH: 3,000 hp (2.24 MW) F59PHI: 3,200 hp (2.4 MW)
Career Locale Canada, United States

The EMD F59PH is a four-axle 3,000 hp (2 MW) B-B diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division from 1988 to 1994. A variant, the F59PHI, was produced from 1994 to 2001. The F59PH was originally built for GO Transit commuter operation in the Toronto region. Metrolink in Southern California also purchased a fleet for its 1992 launch. The streamlined F59PHI was designed for Amtrak California intercity service. A total of 72 F59PH and 83 F59PHI locomotives were built.

F59PH

Between May 1988 and May 1994, 72 F59PH locomotives were built for two commuter transit railroads: GO Transit of Toronto and Metrolink of Los Angeles. Based on the GP59, the locomotives had a turbocharged EMD 12-710G3A, a 12-cylinder, two-stroke Diesel engine (prime mover). Head end power was supplied by a separate diesel generator.

GO Transit began retiring its F59PH locomotives in 2008 in favor of newer MPI MPXpress locomotives. Most were purchased by other operators including Exo (10 locomotives), Metra (3), NCDOT (11) for use on the Piedmont, and Trinity Railway Express (7). Five of the NCDOT units were rebuilt into cab control units without prime movers.

Seven Metrolink units were rebuilt as F59PHR. The non-rebuilt Metrolink locomotives were retired by 2020. Five of those were purchased by NCDOT in 2018.

F59PHI

The F59PHI is a variant with a fully enclosed streamlined carbody. The first nine units were purchased by Caltrans for use on Amtrak California services and entered service in 1994. Like the F59PH, the F59PHI is equipped with a secondary electrical generator – rated between 500 and 750 kW (670 and 1,010 hp) – for HEP. A total of 83 locomotives were built, most for commuter rail and Amtrak corridor services on the West Coast.

Two F59PHI locomotives were built in 1995 for Philip Morris Companies to haul the Marlboro Unlimited, a custom built luxury train to carry winners of a Philip Morris sweepstakes around the country. After Philip Morris cancelled the train, the units were stored before being sold to Metrolink in 1998.

Some units are still in service with the original owners, while others have been retired. The 21 ex-Amtrak units were sold to Metra in 2018.

Notes

1. ^ McDonnell 2015, p. 208
2. Marre, Louis A.; Withers, Paul K. (2000). The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide. Halifax, Pennsylvania: Withers Publishing. pp. 112–114. ISBN 1-881411-25-7. LCCN 99069543.
3. "Canadian Trackside Guide". Canadian Trackside Guide. Bytown Railway Society. 2019. p. 1-99. ISSN 0829-3023.
4. ^ Amtrak Cascades Fleet Management Plan (PDF). Washington State Department of Transportation. November 2017. pp. 29, 95.
5. ^ Solomon 2011, p. 159
6. Weaver, Christopher S.; McGregor, Douglas B. (March 1995). Controlling Locomotive Emissions in California: Technology, Cost-Effectiveness, and Regulatory Strategy (PDF). California Air Resources Board. p. 27.
7. Vantuono, William C. (January 31, 2022). "Siemens Mobility Chargers for Montreal". Railway Age.
8. "Metra to buy three used locomotives" (Press release). Metra. November 9, 2018. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021.
9. Danneman, Tom (November 9, 2015). "Metra's first F59PH is now in service". Trains Newswire.
10. Warner, David; Sutton, Harry (March 1, 2022). "Amtrak Motive Power Roster: North Carolina DOT Equipment". On Track On Line. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022.
11. "NCDOT adds two refurbished locomotives to passenger fleet". Trains Newswire. August 4, 2017.
12. ^ "TRE Facts". Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022.
13. "Attachment 3E: Statement of Work (February 2014)". Brownfields Property Application: Charlotte Locomotive & Railcar Maintenance Facility. North Carolina Department of Transportation. September 9, 2014. p. 2.
14. ^ "Part 2: Existing Fleet and Facilities". Metrolink Rail Fleet Management Report FY2020 – FY2040 (PDF). Southern California Regional Rail Authority. 2020. pp. 32–35.
15. "Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – December 14, 2018". Southern California Regional Rail Authority. January 4, 2019. p. 4.
16. "F59PHI debuts in California". Railway Age. December 1, 1994. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
17. Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 94. ISBN 0-395-70112-0.
18. ^ Solomon, Brian (2013). Classic Locomotives: Steam and Diesel Power in 700 Photographs. Voyageur Press. pp. 510, 527–529. ISBN 9780760345283 – via Google Books.
19. ^ "The Motive Power and Equipment Scene" (PDF). Branchline. Vol. 35, no. 2. February 1996. p. 26. ISSN 0824-233X.
20. ^ Metrolink Fleet Management Plan FY2015–FY2025. Southern California Regional Rail Authority. October 2015. pp. 42–45.
21. ^ "Metra F59PHIs get ready for service". Trains. November 5, 2018.
22. ^ "Appendix A: Asset Inventory". Amtrak Five Year Equipment Asset Line Plan: Base (FY 2019) + Five Year Strategic Plan (FY 2020–2024) (PDF). Amtrak. 2018. pp. 56–57, 104.
23. "Chapter II: Capital Program". California State Rail Plan 2005–06 to 2015–16 (PDF). California Department of Transportation. December 2005. p. 18.
24. Frey, H. Christopher; Graver, Brandon M. (August 13, 2012). "Chapter 2: Rail Yard Testing". Measurement and Evaluation of Fuels and Technologies for Passenger Rail Service in North Carolina (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. p. 28.
25. "Staff Report" (PDF). North County Transportation District. February 21, 2019.
26. Luczak, Marybeth (February 12, 2021). "NCTD introduces new cleaner locomotives and refurbished coaches". International Railway Journal.
27. "Motion No. M2016-123 Sounder Locomotive Overhaul Contract Amendment" (PDF). Sound Transit. December 15, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2017.
28. van Hattem, Matt (June 30, 2006). "West Coast Express". Trains Magazine.
29. "The Long-Awaited "West Coast Express"" (PDF). Branchline. Vol. 35, no. 2. February 1996. p. 10. ISSN 0824-233X.

References

• McDonnell, Greg (2015). Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference (2nd ed.). Richmond Hill, Ontario: Boston Mills Press. ISBN 978-1-77085-609-7.
• Solomon, Brian (2011). Modern Diesel Power. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-76-033943-5.

• B-B locomotives
• Electro-Motive Division locomotives
• General Motors Diesel locomotives
• EPA Tier 2-compliant locomotives of the United States
• Passenger locomotives
• Diesel–electric locomotives of the United States
• Diesel–electric locomotives of Canada
• Diesel–electric locomotives of Mexico
• Railway locomotives introduced in 1988
• Amtrak locomotives
• Standard gauge locomotives of Canada
• Standard gauge locomotives of the United States
• Standard gauge locomotives of Mexico