EMD F59PH Series Locomotives

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 interurban rail services.

F59PH

Infobox Locomotive Auto
name=EMD F59PH
powertype=Diesel-electric
totalproduction = 146 as of 2002
gauge=RailGauge|ussg

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caption=GO Transit passing Danforth stop
caption2=Trinity Railway Express 566 in Dallas, Texas
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
The F59PH was the first in the "F59" Series of locomotives. They were built from 1988-1994. GO Transit of Toronto, Canada designed the engine, and General Motors Diesel, or GMD, in London, Ontario, Canada, built them. 72 F59PHs were made. There was a front and rear platform, and a Canadian comfort cab design borrowed from the SD60M, which is similar to Canadian diesels, such as the SD40-2W locomotive designed for the Canadian National Railway. The most notable difference between the F59PH series and these other locomotive designs is that the F59PH has an enclosed carbody, while the others have exterior walkways and railings from the cab to the rear of the locomotive.

The F59PH is still used today, mainly on commuter railroads. The railroads that own and operate F59PH locomotives are:

* GO Transit, Toronto, Canada
* Metrolink, Los Angeles, California
* Trinity Railway Express, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

F59PHI

Infobox Locomotive Auto
name=EMD F59PHI
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg

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caption=Amtrak/NCDOT General Motors Electro-Motive Division|EMD F59PHI #1797, "City of Asheville", leading the "Piedmont" north out of Charlotte, North Carolina on February 20 2003
caption2=Trinity Railway Express F59PHI #569 pulls a train into the Fort Worth Intermodal Transit Center station in Fort Worth, Texas.
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
locale=North America
poweroutput=3,200 hp (2.3 MW)
aarwheels=B-B
builddate=1993 –
primemover=EMD 12-710E3
cylindercount=V12
topspeed=110 mph (176 km/h)
The Electro-Motive Diesels F59PHI diesel-electric locomotive is a common locomotive on passenger trains in North America, built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It is the most common passenger locomotive present on the "Surf Line" rail corridor in Southern California, where it is used to pull Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, as well as Metrolink and Coaster commuter trains. In the Pacific Northwest, it is used to pull Cascades trains. It is also used by Amtrak California on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains, and it is also used for commuter operations in Seattle (Sounder), Dallas-Fort Worth (Trinity Railway Express), North Carolina (Piedmont), Vancouver (West Coast Express), and Montréal (AMT).

The locomotive is a 3,200 horsepower (2.3 MW) B-B diesel-electric locomotive intended for service on North American mainlines, first built in 1993. 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 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.

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 750 amps or about 500 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.

Examples of the F59PHI are currently operated by these companies:
* Agence métropolitaine de transport
* Amtrak
* Amtrak California
* Metrolink (Southern California)
* North Carolina Department of Transportation
* San Diego Coaster
* Sound Transit
* Trinity Railway Express
* West Coast Express