Caltrans is in the process of refitting their entire F59PHI fleet with 710ECOs. Though the article doesn’t mention it, the 710ECO the F59PHIs get has to be 12-cylinder since they already had a 3,000hp 12-710. I thought the 710ECO was specifically for upgrading 645-engine locos? It’s interesting that a 710ECO can be fitted to regular 710 powered locos too, which means a GP59 or GP60/60M could be refitted if a railroad wanted to. I said GP60 too since they’d make a good 3,000hp 4-axle loco and I doubt anyone would downgrade a SD60/60M or any other 6-axle 16-710 with a 12-710ECO.
http://www.ble.org/pr/news/headline.asp?id=26908
Later this month, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to introduce an environmentally friendly locomotive for its Amtrak California services. On July 22, the department will unveil the cleaner-diesel locomotive at Sacramento Valley Station.Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) has upgraded a Model F59PHI locomotive built in October 2001 into a 710ECO™ Repower unit, which features microprocessor-controlled engine technology designed to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy and boost reliability. The Repower unit meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 2 emissions standard — two levels “cleaner” than the model requires, according to Caltrans. The unit already has begun operating between Sacramento and the Bay Area along Amtrak California’s Capitol Corridor route. Caltrans plans to convert Amtrak California’s entire fleet of 15 F59PHI locomotives to Repower units, which would reduce emissions by about 50 percent, department officials believe. The locomotive conversion is a joint effort between Caltrans, Amtrak, EMD, the EPA, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Lyon_Wonder Caltrans is in the process of refitting their entire F59PHI fleet with 710ECOs. Though the article doesn’t mention it, the 710ECO the F59PHIs get has to be 12-cylinder since they already had a 3,000hp 12-710. I thought the 710ECO was specifically for upgrading 645-engine locos? It’s interesting that a 710ECO can be fitted to regular 710 powered locos too, which means a GP59 or GP60/60M could be refitted if a railroad wanted to. I said GP60 too since they’d make a good 3,000hp 4-axle loco and I doubt anyone would downgrade a SD60/60M or any other 6-axle 16-710 with a 12-710ECO. http://www.ble.org/pr/news/headline.asp?id=26908 Later this month, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to introduce an environmentally friendly locomotive for its Amtrak California services. On July 22, the department will unveil the cleaner-diesel locomotive at Sacramento Valley Station.Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) has upgraded a Model F59PHI locomotive built in October 2001 into a 710ECO™ Repower unit, which features microprocessor-controlled engine technology designed to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy and boost reliability. The Repower unit meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 2 emissions standard — two levels “cleaner” than the model requires, according to Caltrans.The unit already has begun operating between Sacramento and the Bay Area along Amtrak California’s Capitol Corridor route. Caltrans plans to convert Amtrak California’s entire fleet of 15 F59PHI locomotives to Repower units, which would reduce emissions by about 50 percent, department officials believe.The locomotive conversion is a joint effort between Caltrans, Amtrak, EMD, the EPA, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Later this month, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) plans to introduce an environmentally friendly locomotive for its Amtrak California services. On July 22, the department will unveil the cleaner-diesel locomotive at Sacramento Valley Station.Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) has upgraded a Model F59PHI locomotive built in October 2001 into a 710ECO™ Repower unit, which features microprocessor-controlled engine technology designed to reduce emissions, increase fuel economy and boost reliability. The Repower unit meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tier 2 emissions standard — two levels “cleaner” than the model requires, according to Caltrans.The unit already has begun operating between Sacramento and the Bay Area along Amtrak California’s Capitol Corridor route. Caltrans plans to convert Amtrak California’s entire fleet of 15 F59PHI locomotives to Repower units, which would reduce emissions by about 50 percent, department officials believe.The locomotive conversion is a joint effort between Caltrans, Amtrak, EMD, the EPA, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
I would not be surprised to see some GP59s or GP60s rebuilt with the EMD ECO package but I suspect they would likely emerge as 8 cylinder GP22s..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
Glad to see that California has the money to upgrade perfectly good diesels to reduce some air emissions on a few dozen locomotives.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
Curious:
The F59PHIs already had a 12-710 before the 710ECO rebuild. I think this is a move by Caltrans to make the F59PHIs comply with stricter emissions standards. This lead to my speculation that even GP59/60s could be rebuilt with a 710ECO, or even SD60-series and older SD70-series should EMD come out with a 16-710ECO.
As broke as California is,where do they get the money to "upgrade" F59PHIs.Why doesn't Caltrain put these engines in the older F40PHs instead.Throwing away perfectly good diesels makes no economical sense whatsoever.But then if California was more careful about where they spent their dollars we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.
I think you guys might be blowing this way out of proportion. It's possible this upgrade could consist of putting in a new computer, changing a few of the electronic components, and adding a few new sensors. At the very least, a new 710ECO is quite likely a drop-in replacement for an older 710.
Taking a 40 year old FP40H and retrofitting it for a completely different block, electronics, etc is probably A LOT more expensive than doing a few smaller upgrades to some very similar units that are less than 10 years old.
In a few years, they will be required to use Tier 2. None of your current engines qualify. If its costs 3x more to upgrade a bunch of older worn out units, which would you choose to upgrade?
Here's a good analogy: Let's say you wanted to play the newest video game on your computer, but it's just not quite fast enough. You have two older computers, one thats a few years old, and one that's a dinosaur. With the newer computer, you could put in a bit more RAM and upgrade the video card for say $200 and it would play the game fine. With the old one, you could maybe reuse the keyboard, mouse, case, and possibly the CDROM. So basically its an entirely new computer, and would probably cost you $700. If your goal is to be able to play the game, the cheaper upgrade is the way to go.
espeefoamerAs broke as California is,where do they get the money to "upgrade" F59PHIs.
As broke as California is,where do they get the money to "upgrade" F59PHIs.
Federal stimulus money?
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