Athearn HO Scale F59PHI Locomotive - Metrolink

Athearn HO Scale Ready To Run F59PHI Locomotive, Metrolink #881

Product Features

Fully assembled and ready to operate
Factory installed wire grab irons
DCC ready wiring harness installed
Machined RP25 profile metal wheels
McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed

Product Description

Features / / * Fully assembled and ready to operate / * Factory installed wire grab irons / * DCC ready wiring harness installed / * Machined RP25 profile metal wheels / * McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed / / Specifications / / DCC: Ready / SOUND: No / PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER: Electro Motive Division / COUPLER STYLE: McHenry Scale Knuckle / ERA: 1994 - Present / Minimum Age Recommendation: 14 years / Is Assembly Required: No

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).

First built in 1994, the locomotive is a 3,200 horsepower (2.3 MW) B-B diesel-electric locomotive intended for service on North American mainlines. 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.

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
Commuter Xpress

See Also: Athearn HO Scale Bombardier Passenger Cab Car - Metrolink / Athearn HO Scale Bombardier Passenger Coach - Metrolink / Metrolink Board Postpones Decision On Proposed Fare Increase