EMD F59PH

The EMD F59PH series of locomotives comprises two variants of locomotives built by EMD, the original F59PH and the newer F59PHI. These modern diesel-electric locomotives are popular among North American commuter rail services.

F59PH

EMD F59PH
Two F59PH locomotives owned by GO Transit at Oakville station. GO has since discontinued the majority of these locomotives and have been used rarely.
Specifications
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electro-Motive Division (EMD), General Motors Diesel (GMD)
Build date	May 1988 to May 1994
Total produced	83
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Length	58 ft 2 in (17.73 m)
Prime mover	EMD 12-710E3
Cylinders	V12
Power output	3,000 hp (2.24 MW)
Career
Locale	Canada, United States

The F59PH was the first in the "F59" Series of locomotives. Eighty-three locomotives were built from May 1988 to May 1994 for two commuter transit railroads, Metrolink of Los Angeles, California, USA and GO Transit of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While Metrolink continues to use these locomotives today, in 2008, GO Transit began discontinuing operations using this locomotive in favour of the new MPI MP40PH-3C.^[1]:159

The locomotives featured a 12-cylinder EMD 710 prime mover producing 3,000 hp (2.24 MW), front and rear platforms, a full-width cab with a three-piece windshield. Earlier EMD cowl-type locomotives had used a two-piece windshield, while the Canadian comfort cab used a four-piece design.^[1]:159

The F59PH is still used today, mainly on commuter railroads:

• Metrolink, Los Angeles, California
• NCDOT (Amtrak), North Carolina on Piedmont (acquired secondhand from GO Transit)
• Trinity Railway Express, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas (acquired secondhand from GO Transit)
• Agence métropolitaine de transport, Montreal, QC (acquired secondhand from GO Transit through Canadian Allied Diesel, Lachine, QC)
• Via Rail Canada (on lease from Canadian Allied Diesel, Lachine, QC, to replace EMD F40PH-2's being rebuilt)

Fleet details

F59PHI

EMD F59PHI
Amtrak/NCDOT RNCX EMD F59PHI #1797, "City of Asheville", leading the Piedmont north out of Charlotte, North Carolina on February 20, 2003
Specifications
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	GM Electro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Diesel (GMD)
Build date	September 1994 to 2001
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
Gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Length	58 ft 7 in (17.86 m)
Prime mover	EMD 12-710E3
Cylinders	V12
Top speed	110 mph (177 km/h)
Power output	3,200 hp (2.4 MW)
Tractive effort	Starting: 290 kN (65,195 lbf), Continuous: 170 kN (38,218 lbf) @ 16 mph
Career
Locale	North America

The EMD F59PHI diesel-electric locomotive is a common locomotive on passenger trains in North America, built originally by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD), now built by the successor company, Electro-Motive Diesel, which is owned by Progress Rail Services, itself a division of Caterpillar.

First built in 1994, the locomotive is a 3,200 hp (2.4 MW) B-B diesel-electric locomotive intended for service on North American mainlines.^[2] This locomotive is equipped with a turbocharged EMD 12-710E3,a 12 cylinder, 2 stroke water cooled "Vee" diesel engine (prime mover). The main (traction) alternator converts mechanical energy from the prime mover into electrical energy that is distributed through a high voltage cabinet and rectifier to direct current traction motors. Each of the four traction motors is directly geared to a pair of driving wheels. The gear ratio of the traction motors (model D87BTR) to wheel axle determines the maximum operating speed of the locomotive; a standard F59PHI has a gear ratio of 56:21 which provides a top speed of 110 mph (176 km/h).

The F59PHI has a fully enclosed carbody which provides protected walkways for easy access to the engine room and trailing units. This arrangement allows routine maintenance while the locomotive is in service. The noteworthy aspect of this locomotive's exterior is the use of composites to present a streamlined appearance.^[2]

To supply electrical power for passenger service, the F59PHI is equipped with a secondary electrical generator referred to as the Head End Power (HEP) unit. The head-end generator generates AC power at 480 V AC, and can be rated between 500 and 750 kW to provide power to the passenger carriages for lighting, electric heating, and air conditioning. The head-end generator is powered by a second diesel engine dedicated to it. With this arrangement, the prime mover is not burdened by head-end power generation and consequently is used solely for supplying tractive effort.

When it debuted for Caltrans in late 1994, the F59PHI was the first locomotive in the United States which met California's stringent emission standards.^[2]

Examples of the F59PHI are currently operated by these companies:

• AMT (Montreal)
• Amtrak (Amtrak Cascades, all Amtrak California routes, Coast Starlight, and Piedmont)
• Metrolink (Southern California)
• North County Transit District (with the San Diego Coaster)
• Sound Transit (Sounder Commuter Rail)
• Trinity Railway Express
• West Coast Express

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives

References

Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD F59PH locomotives.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD F59PHI locomotives.

• 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 9969543.