Passenger Trains > Metra to Buy 21 Amtrak Cali F59PHIs

https://metrarail.com/about-metra/newsroom/metra-moves-buy-newer-engines

Posted from iPhone

filmteknik Wrote:
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> https://metrarail.com/about-metra/newsroom/metra-m
> oves-buy-newer-engines
>
> Posted from iPhone

Wonder when the delivery will take place ...

The Amtrak California ones or the Surfliner/Cascades F59s? I knew Metra would consider getting those

PeaBock619 Wrote:
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> The Amtrak California ones or the
> Surfliner/Cascades F59s? I knew Metra would
> consider getting those

The Pacific Surfliner ones are CalTrans (AKA Amtrak California) ones. Just different paint jobs.

I will miss the F59s.

I know some people do not like them.

But I did like them.
They had helped the California Corridor Services grow.
And they held their own. Although they had some mechanical problems during their time.
But they lasted.

Wish them luck in Chicago

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

I’ve never worked with them but I too love F59PHIs, I’ve always thought that they look cool, I’m excited to see them in Metra paint. Glad they found a new home. Thanks for posting.

jst3751 Wrote:
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> PeaBock619 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Amtrak California ones or the
> > Surfliner/Cascades F59s? I knew Metra would
> > consider getting those
>
> The Pacific Surfliner ones are CalTrans (AKA
> Amtrak California) ones. Just different paint
> jobs.

No they are not. They are purely Amtrak-owned locomotives which are leased to CalTrans (And WSDOT) for use on State-supported corridors.

15 locomotives (450-464) are assigned to the Surfliner Corridor
6 locomotives (465-470) are assigned to the Cascades Corridor

CalTrans already owns the fifteen F59s on the northern California corridors, which is why they are being supplanted by the Chargers instead of being replaced. The 21 Amtrak-owned F59s are being replaced by State-owned Chargers so the states do not have to pay the lease for the Amtrak locomotives any more. Once the Chargers are fully on-line and in service on both the Surfliners and Cascades Amtrak will no longer have any use for their F59s because they are not suitable for Long Distance service, hence why they're being sold.

One would think that Amtrak could have used these one some of their own short distance corridor runs out of Chicago...

DJ-12 Wrote:
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> One would think that Amtrak could have used these
> one some of their own short distance corridor runs
> out of Chicago...

The Midwest states are also getting Chargers

Posted from Android

I'm wondering if the F59s will be patched to Metra or overhauled first. Would love to see Surfliner F59s patched to Metra so I can model one.

Glad the NorCal F59s will stick around a while longer. I know there were issues with them, but I really do like the design. Bummer to see them go on the Surfliners, that might be the best paint scheme applied to them.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

TWC Wrote:
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> DJ-12 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > One would think that Amtrak could have used
> these
> > one some of their own short distance corridor
> runs
> > out of Chicago...
>
> The Midwest states are also getting Chargers
>
> Posted from Android

Ahhhh.

Posted from iPhone

At least they will no longer be stocking 710 parts for just 3 locomotives.

Why are F59PHIs unsuitable for long-distance service?

Posted from Android

MC6853 Wrote:
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> Why are F59PHIs unsuitable for long-distance
> service?
>
> Posted from Android

Smaller fuel tanks is one of the primary reasons.

MC6853 Wrote:
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> Why are F59PHIs unsuitable for long-distance
> service?

Small fuel tanks, limited HEP load, and geared/programmed for better performance at low speeds with lightweight trains. Extended use on Long Distance trains would burn them out much more quickly than being used on a short 4-6 car commuter train.

OK, Just to be clear, the 21 locomotives discussed are the 15 Amtrak-owned F59PHIs based in Los Angeles for Pacific Surfliner service, and the 6 Amtrak-owned F59PHIs based in Seattle for Cascades service. All are being replaced by Siemens SC-44 locomotives.

The 15 Caltrans-owned F59PHIs based in Oakland for use on Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains are not included in this deal, and will continue in that service.

Stan Hunter
Davis, CA

OTG Wrote:
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> MC6853 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Why are F59PHIs unsuitable for long-distance
> > service?
>
> Small fuel tanks, limited HEP load, and
> geared/programmed for better performance at low
> speeds with lightweight trains. Extended use on
> Long Distance trains would burn them out much more
> quickly than being used on a short 4-6 car
> commuter train.

Oh well, I guess they are not just newer an improved Amtrak F40's.

NJT should have bought them, but likes to spend money and want to replace their 17 remaining GP40's with $10 million ALP45DP's dual-powered locos, whose capability is not needed.

OTG Wrote:
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> Small fuel tanks, limited HEP load, and
> geared/programmed for better performance at low
> speeds with lightweight trains. Extended use on
> Long Distance trains would burn them out much more
> quickly than being used on a short 4-6 car
> commuter train.

Commuter service is very demanding with it's frequent station stops and the need for quick acceleration. Metra is anything but low speed and trains are often 8 to 12 cars long.

OTG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jst3751 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > PeaBock619 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The Amtrak California ones or the
> > > Surfliner/Cascades F59s? I knew Metra would
> > > consider getting those
> >
> > The Pacific Surfliner ones are CalTrans (AKA
> > Amtrak California) ones. Just different paint
> > jobs.
>
> No they are not. They are purely Amtrak-owned
> locomotives which are leased to CalTrans (And
> WSDOT) for use on State-supported corridors.
>
> 15 locomotives (450-464) are assigned to the
> Surfliner Corridor
> 6 locomotives (465-470) are assigned to the
> Cascades Corridor
>
> CalTrans already owns the fifteen F59s on the
> northern California corridors, which is why they
> are being supplanted by the Chargers instead of
> being replaced. The 21 Amtrak-owned F59s are
> being replaced by State-owned Chargers so the
> states do not have to pay the lease for the Amtrak
> locomotives any more. Once the Chargers are fully
> on-line and in service on both the Surfliners and
> Cascades Amtrak will no longer have any use for
> their F59s because they are not suitable for Long
> Distance service, hence why they're being sold.

OK, I stand corrected.

However, I have to wonder about the time line being quoted, since the Pacific Surfliner units AFAIK are the last in California to be replaced by the Chargers. IIRC, the Chargers will first be used on the San Joaquin's and Capital Corridor and then on the Surfliners. If that is the case, those on the Surfilners will not be replaced for a couple years yet.

Is that correct?