Tag Archives: F59PHI Diesel Locomotive

Rail Photo of the Month: October 2026

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F59PHI 465

Location: Portland Union Station, Portland, OR
Operator of Vehicle: Amtrak
Date of Photo: August 2, 2007

This past Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Amtrak’s first Airo Trainset entered service on the Cascades route in the Pacific Northwest.  The Airo represents one of the largest equipment purchases by Amtrak and will be entering service across much of the United States in the coming years, replacing outdated Amfleet I and Horizon equipment that is currently in use.  One of the defining features of the Airo is that most trainsets will be able to operate on electrified and non-electrified lines without needing to change locomotives, as is currently the practice as trains enter and leave the Northeast Corridor.  This process requires a long layover of about 30 minutes to accomplish the engine swap, and trip times will be shortened when this layover is no longer needed.  The Airo also features other amenities that have been included on other recent rolling stock orders, including individual AC power outlets and USB charging points at each seat, prominently placed digital information signs, an updated cafe car with a grab and go section, water bottle filling stations, and touchless bathroom controls.  In addition, passengers who bring bicycles on board will have a dedicated space to store them that does not require the removal of the front wheel, as is currently the case on the Amfleet.

When I rode the Cascades in 2007, it was operated with Talgo VI trainsets with a non-powered control cab at one end and a diesel engine, such as the one pictured here, at the other.  Both the F59PHI locomotive and the Talgo VI have been retired.  Two newer Talgo trainsets remain in service, but the remaining Cascades trains consist of standard passenger cars from across the national Amtrak fleet alongside the first two Airo trainsets.  Airo trainsets are expected to enter service on the Northeast Corridor starting in 2027.

For more photos of Amtrak’s F59PHI diesel locomotives, please click here.  

Rail Photo of the Month: May 2017

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F59PHI 454

F59PHI 454

Location: Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA
Operator of Vehicle: Amtrak
Date of Photo: July 17, 2014

Amtrak turns 46 years old today.  It was on this date in 1971 that Amtrak took over the passenger train operations of privately owned railroads that were still offering passenger service at the time.  Today, when most people think of Amtrak, I suspect they picture the electric hauled Northeast Regional and Acela Express services that operate in the Washington-New York-Boston corridor.  Some might think of long distance trains crossing the country such as the Empire Builder, California Zephyr, and City of New Orleans, which are lifelines for many of the communities that they serve.  But Amtrak also operates in a number of regional corridors around the country, and the Pacific Surfliner service between San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo, California is one of those services.  The F59PHI engine featured in this month’s rail photo of the month is one of 15 painted in the Pacific Surfliner’s unique livery.  And yes, those palm trees are real, you can take an Amtrak train through Southern California and see them for yourself.  In other words, the not so scenic Northeast Corridor isn’t all that Amtrak has to offer.  Ride a long distance Amtrak train when you get the chance! 

For more photos of Amtrak’s F59PHI locomotives, please click here.