Detailed Information

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box

Non-sound locomotives are DCC ready

Multiple road numbers

Fully-assembled and ready-to-run

Accurately painted and printed

Highly detailed, injection molded body

See through cab windows

McHenry operating knuckle couplers

Bi-directional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains consistent

All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation

All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow

Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power

5-pole skew wound motor with weighted and balanced flywheels

Multi-link drive train for trouble free operation

Clear plastic jewel box for convenient storage

Operates on Code 55 and 80 rail

LED lighting

Minimum radius: 9 3/4"

SOUND EQUIPPED LOCOMOTIVES ALSO FEATURE:

Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder

Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

Some functions are limited in DC

Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

Slow speed control

Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unity only horn, bell, and lights

Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

CV chart included in the box

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.

Specifications