FoR EMD, A pAssEngER RAil REBiRTH The locomotive builder’s determination to reenter the passenger market has come to fruition. By william C. Vantuono, editor-in-Chief
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fter a 12-year hiatus, Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. has reentered the passenger locomotive market. EMD (a subsidiary of the Progress Rail Services Corp. division of Caterpillar Inc.’s Rail Division) on May 31 signed an agreement with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority to supply up to 20 newdesign EMD F125 low-emission “Spirit” series diesel-electric passenger locomotives for operation on Metrolink—the first passenger railroad to purchase new locomotives designed to meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 emissions standards. Delivery will begin in 2015. EMD will build the locomotives at its Muncie, Ind., facility. Generating 4,700 hp, the F125 Spirit is compliant with the PRIIA 305-005 Next Generation Locomotive specifications, “and meets or exceeds all of Metrolink’s requirements for procuring highly reliable, fuel-efficient locomotives for passenger rail service,” EMD says. “The Spirit is capable of operating at speeds of up to 125 mph. In addition, the locomotives reduce emissions over Metrolink’s current Tier 0 fleet by more than 85%, per EPA’s Tier 4 standards.” The F125 Spirit consists of a streamlined Vossloh Rail Vehicles (VRV)-designed monocoque carbody with one control cab equipped with CEM (Crash Energy Management); a turbocharged, 20-cylinder, four-stroke Cat® C-175 20 diesel engine; an AC traction propulsion system; VRV high-speed two-axle trucks; inverter-controlled HEP (head end power); frame-mounted traction motors; “and all the accessories necessary for single- and multipleunit operation suitable for commuter and intercity service.” The locomotive’s electronics are PTC-compatible. The F125 Spirit includes an SCR (selective catalytic reduction)-only after-treatment system to meet Tier 4 standards. Equipped with an electronic fuel injection system, its prime-mover “provides exceptional train acceleration advantages, compared to other less powerful locomotive products or older technologies, while maintaining Tier 4 emissions
performance,” EMD notes. “This locomotive addresses Metrolink’s future performance needs and anticipated ridership growth. It will be used with Metrolink’s new Rotem bilevel passenger cars—also equipped with CEM—which will yield a high level of commuter rail passenger safety, crew safety, and passenger comfort.” RA F125 VITAL STATISTICS weight on Rail
280,000 pounds
length over Couplers
69 feet
Height
14 feet, 7 inches
Clearance Diagram
amtrak D-05-1355
Fuel/Capacity
ulSD no.2-D15 / 1,800 gallons
maximum Speed
125 mph
P2 Forces
<82,000 pounds
Starting tractive effort
71,000 pounds
Braking
electronically controlled air brake
Dynamic Braking
extended-range and blended-brake
engine
Caterpillar C175-20, turbocharged, four-stroke
BHP
4,700 @ 1,800 rpm
ePa Rating
tier 4
HeP
600kw, rated up to 1,050kw, inverter-controlled with dynamic brake energy recovery
Sandbox capacity
4 @ 6.25 cubic feet each
urea capacity
410 gallons
Retention tank
100 gallons July 2013 Railway age 35