Western Railroad Discussion > California style F59PHI Swan Song at Van Nuys

I have a very clear memory of an article about the new styling applied to the EMD F59PH locomotive, changing its boxy appearance to a streamlined one. In the article the new style was given a name. I can't recall if it was California Style, or California something else. I've always called the new F59PHIs Califorina Style myself since, but to be honest, I've not seen that name used since. Anyone know if I'm remembering correctly? If yes, what is the exact name?

Here are two shots between CP Eliker and Gemco this past Wednesday of Metrolink 116 aand Amtrak 782, both shoving into Van Nuys. The Amtrak engine may be gone as soon as next month. The Metrolink engine is also on limited time, but I'm not sure how much longer it has.

 

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The Metrolink F59PHI's may be around for longer then you think. The original F59PH's are first on the chopping block.
And I'm willing to bet that the sole F40PH, 800 will outlast them all!

If any railroad wants to have "stylish" looking locomotives they should go back to the F-3 design. Much better looking than anything newer. There is no reason that modern powerplants and running gear couldn't be installed in the F-3 exterior.
Bill Pyper
Salem, Oregon
 

You could get even more stylish if only the dang lines where electicfied.....

The last time there was a stylish electric locomotive it was the GG1, and while it might of looked good, it was a hot mess from a train crew standpoint.  besides, who the hell wants the scenery defiled by a bunch of  poles and wires? 

I highly doubt that an F3 would meet current regulations for crashworthiness and crew safety, not to mention emissions.

Stan Hunter
Fair Oaks, CA

wjpyper Wrote:
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> If any railroad wants to have "stylish" looking
> locomotives they should go back to the F-3 design.
> Much better looking than anything newer. There is
> no reason that modern powerplants and running gear
> couldn't be installed in the F-3 exterior.
> Bill Pyper
> Salem, Oregon
>  

junctiontower Wrote:
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> The last time there was a stylish electric
> locomotive it was the GG1,

Ehh, I much prefer the looks of the Milwaukee's EF-4 and EP-4 motors (Little Joes) or the South Shore 800's.

junctiontower Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The last time there was a stylish electric
> locomotive it was the GG1, and while it might of
> looked good, it was a hot mess from a train crew
> standpoint.  besides, who the hell wants the
> scenery defiled by a bunch of  poles and wires? 

I always thought that the Long Island Railroad third-rail was a better way to go for electric than the overhead.
Bill Pyper
Salem, Oregon
(grew up in Amityville, NY)
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/18 12:39 by wjpyper.

I remember the streamline F59s being referred to styling-wise as Chevy "Lumina" knockoffs.

wjpyper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> junctiontower Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The last time there was a stylish electric
> > locomotive it was the GG1, and while it might
> of
> > looked good, it was a hot mess from a train
> crew
> > standpoint.  besides, who the hell wants the
> > scenery defiled by a bunch of  poles and
> wires? 
>
> I always thought that the Long Island Railroad
> third-rail was a better way to go for electric
> than the overhead.
> Bill Pyper
> Salem, Oregon
> (grew up in Amityville, NY)
>  


Yeah, ask the Sacramento Northern why they stopped using third rail. Involves a 12 year old kid way back in 1942.

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> wjpyper Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > junctiontower Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The last time there was a stylish electric
> > > locomotive it was the GG1, and while it might
> > of
> > > looked good, it was a hot mess from a train
> > crew
> > > standpoint.  besides, who the hell wants the
> > > scenery defiled by a bunch of  poles and
> > wires? 
> >
> > I always thought that the Long Island Railroad
> > third-rail was a better way to go for electric
> > than the overhead.
> > Bill Pyper
> > Salem, Oregon
> > (grew up in Amityville, NY)
> >  
>
>
> Yeah, ask the Sacramento Northern why they stopped
> using third rail. Involves a 12 year old kid way
> back in 1942.


The SN has been gone for decades, they won't answer.  Why don't you tell us what happened in '42?

Duna Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > wjpyper Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > junctiontower Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > The last time there was a stylish electric
> > > > locomotive it was the GG1, and while it
> might
> > > of
> > > > looked good, it was a hot mess from a train
> > > crew
> > > > standpoint.  besides, who the hell wants
> the
> > > > scenery defiled by a bunch of  poles and
> > > wires? 
> > >
> > > I always thought that the Long Island
> Railroad
> > > third-rail was a better way to go for
> electric
> > > than the overhead.
> > > Bill Pyper
> > > Salem, Oregon
> > > (grew up in Amityville, NY)
> > >  
> >
> >
> > Yeah, ask the Sacramento Northern why they
> stopped
> > using third rail. Involves a 12 year old kid
> way
> > back in 1942.
>
>
> The SN has been gone for decades, they won't
> answer.  Why don't you tell us what happened in
> '42?

i am going to assume that the person made contact with the third rail, in a non fenced row. People today are still being killed by touching the third rail. Sad, but true. There are hundreds of third rail operations in the world. 

SN used third rail north of Sacramento and the Woodland Branch (except in towns) until the end of electrification. South of Sacramento had originally been a different railroad and used overhead wire. 
CCT was third-rail in the country until the end of electrification also.