EMD F125
The EMD F125 "Spirit" is a four-axle passenger diesel locomotive manufactured by EMD for the North American market. It is powered by a Caterpillar C175-20 V20 diesel engine rated at 4,700 hp (3,500 kW). The locomotive is capable of traveling at a maximum in-service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) pulling consists of up to 10 cars. It was EMD's first new passenger locomotive for the North American market in 15 years, with the previous passenger locomotive being the EMD DE30AC and DM30AC built for the Long Island Rail Road.
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SCAX 905, the first F125 delivered to Metrolink, unveiled at Los Angeles Union Station. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Features of the F125 include EPA Tier 4 emissions compliance (with exhaust after-treatment), AC traction systems, extended-range blend and dynamic brakes with HEP regeneration capabilities, advanced crash energy management (CEM) technology, and a streamlined body design, designed by Vossloh AG of Spain.[2]
History
The Los Angeles commuter rail agency Metrolink is the launch customer for the EMD F125, with an order of 40 total. The cost of the base order of 10 units with an option of additional 10 was estimated at $150 million, with delivery commencing in 2016.[3][4] The base order was signed on May 31, 2013 for 10 locomotives with an option for additional 10, which has since been exercised.[5][6] Additional orders were exercised as funding became available. They will replace the EMD F59PH and EMD F59PHI.
The first locomotive began testing in the first quarter of 2016 and was shown to the public on July 18, 2016 at Los Angeles Union Station during a special event,[7] and had its first mainline run on June 10, 2017.
The bulk of the order was expected to be delivered by April 2017 but major problems with the locomotives had prevented their full acceptance by Metrolink.[8][9][10] In November 2018, Metrolink announced that only five locomotives had been accepted, and the project was two years behind schedule.[10]
By contrast, the "Siemens Charger", a competing Tier 4 passenger locomotive, has sold more than 200 units including large orders from Amtrak and Via Rail.[11][12] Their reliability is greatly improved since their introduction.
As of June 2020, almost all F125 locomotives have been delivered, with two awaiting delivery to Metrolink.[10]
See also
- MPI MPXpress MP54AC – competing Tier 4 passenger locomotive
- Siemens Charger – competing Tier 4 passenger locomotive
References
- "C175-20 Prime Mover Specifications". Caterpillar Inc. n.d.
- "Locomotive Capacities and Specifications". EMD. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- Bowen, Douglas John (December 20, 2012). "EMD gets Metrolink Tier 4 locomotive order". Railway Age. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- "Metrolink to buy newest, cleanest locomotives" (Press release). Los Angeles: Metrolink. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
- "Metrolink orders EMD passenger locomotives". Railway Gazette International. June 1, 2013.
- "Metrolink receives critical funding commitments for low-emission Tier 4 locomotives" (Press release). Los Angeles: Metrolink. February 10, 2014.
- Templeton, Dan (July 19, 2016). "Metrolink F125 locomotive unveiled in Los Angeles". International Railway Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- Jeon, Yena (January 24, 2014). "F125 Tier-4 EMD Status Report". Metrolink. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- "First Metrolink Tier 4 locomotive completed" (Press release). Los Angeles: Metrolink. January 29, 2016.
- "Tier 4 Locomotive Update and Delivery Status". June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
- "Amtrak to Improve National Network with New Locomotives" (Press release). Amtrak. December 21, 2018.
- "Siemens Canada secures major order with VIA Rail Canada for new fleet of passenger trains" (Press release). Siemens Mobility. December 12, 2018.
External links
- Official EMD Specifications
- Caterpillar Page on C175-20 Generator
- News Release on the locomotive with some information on specifications
- F125 Tier-4 EMD Status Report (January 24, 2014)
- First F125 shell at EMD's La Grange Plant