| PROTOTYPE
AND BACKGROUND INFO:
The EMD F59PHI is a high speed locomotive produced
by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) from 1994 to 2001. It features an isolated cab,
lightweight body, and a streamlined shape, features that were absent on the original
commuter F59PH.
First
built for the California Department of Transportation(CDoT), the F59PHI has seen
service in all four
corners of America, (Mostly seen in California) as well
as in the Pacific Northwest/Montreal area in Canada.
In
1990, the State of California passed a bill that would result in massive funding
for the state transportation systems. It also resulted in a separate, state funded
system of regional Amtrak routes.
CDoT
wanted a locomotive that was both reliable and attractive. They approached EMD,
who responded with the
lightweight, high-speed F59PHI locomotive.
Soon
after, more orders arrived. Amtrak ordered 21 of these locomotives for their Pacific
Sufliner service (separate from Amtrak California), and the North Carolina Department
of Transportation also selected it as their primary motive power. West Coast Express
(operated by TransLink) in Metro Vancouver, also selected it for starting up its
service.
Montreal’s
Agence de Metropolitaine de Transport bought 11 of these locomoties to go with
their Bombardier Bi-Level coaches, which were just arriving.
The
F59PHI was produced until 2001. It was taken off of EMD’s lineup because
it wasn’t able to meet the EPA Tier 1 regulations.
Some
of Amtrak California’s F59PHI’s have been rebuilt by EMD, these are
ECO repowers.
Sound
Transit’s 2015 budget outlines plans to overhaul seven F59’s and four
of those will be overhauled to Tier 3 standards | 
