NEW FEATURES:
All-new LED lighting
Sound Versions feature: Twin Sugar Cube Speakers
Ditch lights flash when horn is activated
LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
LED Lighting for realistic appearance
DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
Fully-assembled and ready-to-run out of the box
Roadname specific details, such as cab sunshades and snowplows added whenever possible
Painted and printed for realistic decoration
Highly detailed, injection molded body
See through window glazings
See-through radiator fans
See-through dynamic brake fans if applicable
Separately-applied horn
Separately-applied wire grab irons
Rear pilot separately applied Celcon scale handrails for scale appearance
Snowplow
Wire grab irons
Multiple road numbers
McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
5-pole skew wound motor with precision-machined flywheels and multi-link drive train for trouble free operation
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
Window packaging for easy viewing, plus interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
Replacement parts available including motor brushes
Minimum radius: 18”
SOUND EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE
Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Econami sound
Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
Precision slow speed control
Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
CV chart included in the box
PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
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 locomotives 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.