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In
the late 1980s Amtrak was shopping for a locomotive that could replace
their aging F40 fleet. EMD took up the challenge and in 1988 built a pair
of Alternating Current (AC) passenger units. Designated model F69PH, they
rated out at 3030hp. Units 450-451 spent almost two years in testing before
Amtrak took delivery of them in September of 1990.
Fresh from a promotional display in Sacramento the previous day, Amtrak's unique F69PH locomotives speed south with the San Joaquin at Parker Road in Modesto on September 22, 1990. Spliced between the 451 and 450 is an EMD test car, which is monitoring recent software upgrades installed in the units. Ultimately, Amtrak passed on the F69PH and the pair remained orphans on the company roster until their retirement. |