Price: $459.95 (no. 20-20330-1) Min Curve: O-31 Cmd Low: 1.96 smph Cnv Low: 2.6 smph High: 73.6 smph Drawbar pull: 1lb., 10 oz. Features: Two motors, coil couplers, smoke unit, ProtoSound 3.0 Current production road names: Amtrak, Amtk California, Amtk (I Pack a Punch), and Amtk Cascades.
The F59 was a rather conventional locomotive offered by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors to commuter agencies from 1988-1994. The 3,000 horsepower model had a wide body and a safety cab on front. Between 1994-2001, EMD successor Electro-Motive Diesel (owned by Caterpillar,) resumed production with the revamped F59PHI.
The PHI combined lighter weight with increased horsepower, an isolated cab, and a top speed of 110 mph. The model was well received. Rail agencies operating the PHI include AMT in Montreal, Canada; Amtrak (for Amtrak Cascades, Amtrak California, and Amtrak Piedmont services); Metrolink; North County Transit District (Coaster); Sound Transit (Sounder); Trinity Railway Express; and West Coast Express in Vancouver, Canada.
For many people today, the F59PHI is the face of commuter railroading.
Opening the box
It is rare for me to start with the paint scheme, but this O gauge model deserves it. If, as the saying goes, the “clothes make the man,” then the paint scheme surely makes the F59PHI. The model’s silver-accented solid blue is terrific. You’ll find silver on the pilot and the trucks, and white below the cab and the ends of the steps. There is also a silver “swoosh” up topside.
The body features the most creative railroad safety scheme I’ve ever seen – “Be track smart: Tragedies touch us all.”
The campaign was designed to reduce injuries and fatalities from people trespassing on railroad property, and the emphasis was on how each misadventure affects many people.
The centerpiece of the design is a large handprint composed of multiple handprints of all colors and sizes. This is on both sides of the locomotive as well as on the nose. This may be the most complex graphic I’ve seen applied to an O gauge model.
While the pilot is Spartan, with just a cast-in uncoupler arm and brake line, the nose detailing begins low on the frame. You’ll find marker/classification lights and ditch lights at the lowest level. Centered above them are the headlights and the illuminated number boards. The cab is illuminated and crewed by two chaps attired in bib overalls. There are three wiper arms, one for each of the front windows.
The side windows have a multi-panel look and feature rear-view mirrors. The cab doors have a window and grab irons. The side has good panel, rivet, latch, and louver detailing. The screens along the sides are see-through.
Up top, you will find a blade-style radio antenna, add-on lift rings around a blower assembly, and the smoke unit.
Behind are four fan assemblies, all of which are see-through, and have nearby add-on lift rings. Along the top of the diesel’s sides, you’ll find additional see-through screens.
The rear of the locomotive is pretty interesting. It has a narrow platform and access door. There are add-on grab irons running up to the roof, and a backup light is mounted on the engineer’s side. Sand filler caps are on both sides of the rear, and overhead you’ll find an overhanging housing for the air filter.
Overall, the detailing is first rate. But what about the model’s performance?
On the test track
The MTH F59PHI did not disappoint in the operational department – it’s a terrific runner. The model is smooth and responsive in all speed ranges.
When operating, the backup light remained on when traveling forward. Reversing the engine causes the headlight and ditch lights to go out, and the red marker lights come on. Change direction again, and the lights return to the forward position. This was especially effective in reduced lighting.
The smoke unit delivers a suitable tonnage of vapor, and the sound package is great. The horn is grade-crossing realistic.
Performance numbers were quite good. Our low-speed conventional average was 2.3 scale miles per hour, while the command-mode low-speed average was 1.96 scale mph. Our high speed was a robust 73.6 scale mph, and the model seemed to have power in reserve.
Drawbar pull was 1 pound, 10 ounces.
This MTH model has a lot to offer in a small package. Sound and performance were excellent, and the graphics (and the graphics of other F59PHIs in the current production run) enable you to build a fleet of Amtrak diesels of the same model each having unique decoration.
