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.

EMD F125
SCAX 905, the first F125 delivered to Metrolink, unveiled at Los Angeles Union Station.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Electro-Motive Diesel, Caterpillar, Inc., Progress Rail Services Order number Metrolink: 40 Model F125 Build date 2015-present
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) (New) Minimum curve 250 ft (76 m) radius/ 23° Wheelbase Locomotive: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m) (between truck centers) Truck: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) Length 69 ft 0 in (21.03 m) Width 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) Height 14 ft 6 ^1⁄2 in (4.432 m) Axle load 71,250 lb (32,318 kg) Adhesive weight 100% Loco weight 285,000 lb (129,274 kg) (Nominal) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 2,350 US gal (8,900 l; 1,960 imp gal) Lubricant cap. 180 US gal (680 l; 150 imp gal) Coolant cap. 291 US gal (1,100 l; 242 imp gal) Sandbox cap. Four boxes @ 6.25 cubic feet (177 liters) each Prime mover Caterpillar C175-20 RPM range 800-1800 Engine type 45° V20, four stroke cycle Aspiration Turbocharged Displacement 105.8 liters (6,460 cu in) Alternator Kato AK30-8 Traction motors EMD AC Traction Motors, model A2921-5 1,000 hp (750 kW) each Cylinders 20 Cylinder size 5.29 liters (323 cu in)[1] Transmission AC-DC-AC MU working Yes Train heating Locomotive supplied Head end power (inverters rated between 600-1000 kW) Loco brake Dynamic / Regenerative / Electropneumatic / Blend Brake Safety systems Crash Energy Management (CEM) Technology Positive Train Control (PTC)
Performance figures Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h) (Optional) 100 mph (160 km/h) (79:22 gear ratio) Power output At Alternator: 4,560 hp (3,400 kW) At Wheels: 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) max Tractive effort Starting: 71,000 lbf (316 kN) Continuous: 47,000 lbf (209 kN) @ 32 mph (51 km/h) Factor of adh. 4.014 Brakeforce 47,200 lbf (210 kN) from 20 mph (32 km/h) to 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
Career Operators Metrolink (Southern California) Number in class 40 Numbers 903-942 Official name EMD F125 Nicknames Spirit Current owner SCRRA
[2]

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

1. "C175-20 Prime Mover Specifications". Caterpillar Inc. n.d.
2. "Locomotive Capacities and Specifications". EMD. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
3. Bowen, Douglas John (December 20, 2012). "EMD gets Metrolink Tier 4 locomotive order". Railway Age. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
4. "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.
5. "Metrolink orders EMD passenger locomotives". Railway Gazette International. June 1, 2013.
6. "Metrolink receives critical funding commitments for low-emission Tier 4 locomotives" (Press release). Los Angeles: Metrolink. February 10, 2014.
7. Templeton, Dan (July 19, 2016). "Metrolink F125 locomotive unveiled in Los Angeles". International Railway Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
8. Jeon, Yena (January 24, 2014). "F125 Tier-4 EMD Status Report". Metrolink. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
9. "First Metrolink Tier 4 locomotive completed" (Press release). Los Angeles: Metrolink. January 29, 2016.
10. "Tier 4 Locomotive Update and Delivery Status". June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
11. "Amtrak to Improve National Network with New Locomotives" (Press release). Amtrak. December 21, 2018.
12. "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