F59PHI Fleet

The EMD F59PHI Locomotive Fleet is a fleet of EMD F59PHI, numbered 1797 and 1755.

Construction on 1797 (1998 - 1999)
The construction of the locomotives started in 1998, and, at the time there were 2 locomotives, EMD GP40PH-2 units 1792 and 1768.

During the construction, low fundage had delayed the construction, as the Piedmont budget was decaying. Locomotive 1797 was partially built, primarily the wheels were added, and the generators for the locomotive were installed.

Sister locomotive 1755 was also planned, but was on hold.

Soon after, in 1999, locomotive 1768 City of Charlotte had been deactivated, and the piedmont budget was fixed. Soon after, construction on 1797 had resumed. The locomotive had debuted in 1999.

Construction on 1755 (2001 - 2002)
The construction of the second locomotive was on hold, mostly due to a lack of resources and materials for the locomotive.

When former locomotive 1768 City of Charlotte was auctioned in 2001, this gave a good amount of money for the construction to speed up, and in February 2002, the locomotive was completed.

Piedmont Service
City of Asheville had debuted and replaced the recently deactivated 1768 City of Charlotte. The sister locomotive of 1797 was on hold from 1998 - 2001, as locomotive parts were scarce due to insufficient funds.

Eventually, the deactivated locomotive 1768 was auctioned, giving the Piedmont plenty of money and leading to the speed up of 1755 City of Salisbury.

After christening in 2002, 1755 City of Salisbury often was pulled by 1797. 1755 was in a career threatening accident when a boat carrying-trailer was stuck on the tracks in Charlotte NC. Luckily, the locomotive survived the crash, but had to undergo serious nose repairs.

A result of this, the locomotive's nose was unique, staying like this until 2009 and then 2016.

On May 13, 2010, 1792 City of Raleigh was in a career ending crossing accident, disbanding the GP Fleet, leaving the F59PHI Fleet as the only fleet for a year. In 2011, two EMD F59PH locomotives entered service, which began another fleet.

In 2012, 1797 City of Asheville underwent major upgrading, including several generator upgrades, a wood paneled cab, and a new cushioned seat.