Caltrans F59PHI 710ECO - Trains Magazine

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.   

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.