Athearn 15866 - New Mexico Rail Runner

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 , and most recently Chicago’s METRA Railroad.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 Surfliner service (separate from Amtrak Cali- fornia).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.