EMD F59PHI

EMD F59PHI
Nstrainman1006 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	EMD F59PHI
Powertype	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Motors Electro-Motive Division
Builddate	1988–1994
Totalproduction	209
Aarwheels	B-B
Primemover	EMD 12-710G3A
Poweroutput	3,000 hp
Locoweight	260,000 lb
Disposition	In service, rebuilt, preserved

EMD F59PHI is a North American passenger diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division for commuter and intercity operations. Designed in the late 1980s, it married the EMD 710-series prime mover with a streamlined carbody influenced by AAR and Amtrak aesthetics, aiming to serve agencies such as GO Transit, Caltrain, and Metrolink. The model sought to deliver acceleration, reliability, and a modern appearance for short-haul and corridor services.

Design and development

The F59PHI originated from collaborative requirements among transit authorities including VIA Rail, Caltrans, Metra, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and equipment procurement officers influenced by procurement practices at United States Department of Transportation. EMD leveraged experience from earlier models like the F45, FP45, and F40PH to produce a B-B wheel arrangement suited to high-speed commuter service. Styling cues were influenced by successful long-haul designs used by Amtrak and visual standards set by agencies such as GO Transit and BC Transit. EMD engineers incorporated emissions considerations relevant to regulatory bodies such as the California Air Resources Board and maintenance regimes preferred by fleet managers from agencies including VRE, Tri-Rail, and MBTA.

Technical specifications

The F59PHI is powered by the two-stroke inline-12 EMD 12-710G3A diesel engine producing 3,000 horsepower, driving a GM/EMD generator and four traction motors arranged in a B-B configuration similar to units used by New Jersey Transit and Chicago Transit Authority for commuter service. The locomotive features a high-short-hood, full-width cab and a crashworthy carbody consistent with standards endorsed by Federal Railroad Administration. The electrical system includes EMD excitation and control technologies comparable to those in SD40-2 derivatives, while braking is a blended air and dynamic system interoperable with multiple passenger car brake standards adopted by fleets like Metrolink and GO Transit. Top speeds are typically gear-limited for 110–125 mph service to match corridor operations overseen by organizations such as Caltrans and Metrolink.

Production and service history

EMD built 209 F59PHI units between 1988 and 1994, with initial orders placed by agencies including GO Transit, VIA Rail, Caltrain, Metrolink, and private contractors serving Sacramento Regional Transit District. Units entered revenue service across Canada and the United States, joining networks that included Ontario Northland, South Florida Regional Transportation Authority routes, and California corridor services coordinated with Southern Pacific and Santa Fe legacy corridors. During the 1990s and 2000s the fleet operated on lines subject to infrastructure upgrades by entities such as Amtrak, Federal Railroad Administration, and state rail programs administered by Caltrans and provincial counterparts, adapting to electrification and signaling improvements undertaken by regional partners.

Operators and liveries

Primary operators included GO Transit (distinct green and white livery), Caltrain (red and grey schemes applied across rebuilds), Metrolink (orange, blue, and silver scheme), VIA Rail (immaculate stainless-inspired paintwork for corridor service), and commuter agencies such as Tri-Rail and regional contractors serving Sacramento and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Secondary operators acquired units secondhand, yielding repaints and decals from companies like Metra contractors, private commuter operators, and shortline operators influenced by standards at Association of American Railroads. Liveries evolved with franchising, corporate identity shifts, and marketing programs promoted by transit boards including those at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit partner agencies.

Modifications and rebuilds

Over their service lives, many F59PHI units underwent rebuild programs addressing emissions, reliability, and passenger amenities driven by grants and capital programs from Federal Transit Administration and provincial funding authorities. Rebuilds included repowering with updated 710-series components, installation of Head-End Power upgrades to meet Amtrak and commuter electrical standards, and retrofits for Positive Train Control compliance mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration in coordination with regional safety initiatives. Private firms and shops associated with National Railway Equipment Company and regional maintenance yards performed overhauls, while some units received bogie and traction motor upgrades influenced by practices at Electro-Motive Division and successor organizations.

Preservation and legacy

Several F59PHI units have been preserved by museums, tourist railways, and municipal collections such as heritage organizations allied with California State Railroad Museum-affiliated programs, private preservation groups, and commuter rail heritage foundations. The design influenced subsequent passenger diesel generations through its blend of aerodynamics, crashworthiness, and modular maintenance approaches adopted by manufacturers including Bombardier and Siemens for corridor equipment. The locomotive remains a reference point in studies by transportation researchers at institutions like University of California, Berkeley and McMaster University examining commuter rail evolution, fleet lifecycle management, and the transition pathways toward electrification championed by agencies including Caltrans and provincial transit ministries.

Category:Diesel-electric locomotives