F40PH

EMD F40PH
Amtrak 315, an F40PHR
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Electro-Motive Division and other GM subsidiaries Build date 1975–1992 (EMD) 1988–1998 (MK / MPI) Total produced 475 (EMD) 31 (MK / MPI)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Length 56 ft 2 in (17.12 m) Width 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) Height 15 ft 7.5 in (4.763 m) Loco weight 260,000–282,000 lb (118,000–128,000 kg) Prime mover EMD 16-645E3 Engine type V16 diesel Cylinders 16
Performance figures Maximum speed 103–110 mph (166–177 km/h) Power output 3,000–3,200 hp (2.2–2.4 MW)
[1]

The F40PH is a diesel locomotive originally made for Amtrak in 1975.

When started in 1971, Amtrak was given many old locomotives. These came from railroads who used to operate passenger trains. More modern models were kept by freight or commuter railroads.^[2]

To replace them, Amtrak ordered 150 SDP40F [en] locomotives. These entered service in 1973. These were later helped by 25 GE P30CH [en] in 1975. The SDP40F was a troubled design. Problems with its weight balance cause it to come off the tracks very often.^[3] The P30CH's poor truck design was the reason no more of these were built.^[4]

On May 8, 1975, Amtrak ordered the first 30 F40PHs. The first of these entered service on April 9, 1976. They were initially intended for short routes.^[4]

However, in the winter of 1976-77, a blizzard [en] hit America hard. This put Amtrak's steam-heated passenger cars out of service. In place of them, the F40PH and the new Amfleet [en] passenger cars were put on long-distance runs.^[5]

In the spring of 1977, 40 SDP40Fs were returned to EMD. Parts of these were used to create 40 more F40PHs, known as the F40PHR. They had a bigger fuel tank, and a more powerful head-end power generator.^[6]

In this process, a total of 132 F40PHRs were created. In addition, Amtrak bought six more F40PHs from GO Transit in 1990. These, combined with new orders from EMD, brought the total number of locomotives owned by Amtrak to 216.^[7]

Starting in 1991, Amtrak began replacing its F40PHs with more up-to-date models. The last of the F40PHs were retired by 2001, once the delivery of GE Genesis [en] locomotives was complete.^[8]

• McDonnell, Greg (2015). Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference. Boston Mills Press. ISBN 978-1-77085-609-7.
• Holland, Kevin J. (Spring–Summer 2009). "Amtrak's F40PH: From dark clouds, a silver lining". Railroad History (200): 56–65.
• Graham-White, Sean; Weil, Lester (December 1999). "The little locomotive that did". Trains. 59 (12): 52–61.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD F40PH locomotives.

• EMD F40PH Data Sheet
• Via Rail EMD F40PH-2D Operator's Manual (in French)