F59PHI Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

EMD launched the F59PHI in 1994 as a sleek, modern passenger locomotive for commuter and intercity service. Its 3,000-horsepower 12-cylinder 710G engine and aerodynamic full-width cab gave it both speed and style.

Built to deliver reliable performance and provide Head End Power for passenger comfort, the F59PHI quickly earned favor with Amtrak California, Metrolink, Sound Transit, and West Coast Express. Railroads appreciated its mix of efficiency, clean looks, and solid handling on fast regional routes.

While newer locomotives like the Siemens Charger have taken over in recent years, the F59PHI still stands out as a defining passenger engine of the 1990s and early 2000s.