New F125 Metrolink Passenger Locomotive
The F125, also called the “Spirit”, is a diesel-electric passenger locomotive built
by Electro-motive Diesel.
EMD is owned by Caterpillar as part of a subsidiary company called Progress Rail.
These locomotives are capable of reaching a top speed in service of 125 miles per hour
and can put out 4,000 horsepower.
Power for the locomotive’s AC traction motors is generated by a 20 cylinder Caterpillar
engine.
The F125 was designed to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent “Tier 4”
diesel emissions standards.
As of late 2018, the Los Angeles area commuter service Metrolink is the only railroad to
purchase the F125 with an order for 40 units.
Metrolink plans on using the F125s to replace all of its F59PH and F59PHI locomotives.
The prime movers in the retired locomotives will be scrapped, a requirement made by the
funding grant Metrolink received to purchase the new locomotives.
F125s first began arriving in Los Angeles for Metrolink service in the summer of 2016,
but the new locomotives did not begin to enter regular service until late 2017.
Let’s take a look at a number of F125 locomotives pulling and pushing trains in Los Angeles
and Orange County.