EMD F59PHI
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 Amtrak/NCDOT EMD F59PHI #1797, "City of Asheville", leading the Piedmont north out of Charlotte, North Carolina on February 20, 2003 |
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| Power type | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Builder | General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) |
| Build date | 1993 – |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Prime mover | EMD 710E3 |
| Cylinders | V12 |
| Top speed | 110 mph (176 km/h) |
| Power output | 3,000 hp (2.2 MW) |
| Locale | North America |
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 Metrolink and Coaster commuter trains, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Cascades trains. They are also used by Amtrak California on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains, and is 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 3000 horsepower (2.2 MW) B-B diesel-electric locomotive intended for service on North American mainlines, first built in 1993. This locomotive is equipped with a turbocharged 710E3 12 cylinder, 2 stroke water cooled "Vee" diesel engine (prime mover) that develops 3000 horsepower (2.2 MW) at maximum rpm. 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 maintence 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
- Virginia Railway Express
- West Coast Express
| Diesel cab and cowl locomotives built by GM-EMD | |
|---|---|
| Cab units (F- & E-units): |
FT, F2, F3, F7, FP7, F9, FP9, FL9, TA, EA/EB, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, AB6 |
| Cowl units: | F45, FP45, F40C, F40PH, F40PH-2, F40PH-2C, F40PH-2M, SDP40F, SD40-2F, SD50F, F59PH, F59PHI, SD60F |
| See also: | List of GM-EMD locomotives |
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