via rail f40ph-2 simulator

The F40PH locomotives were purchased to allow for the retirement of much of VIA's run-down and antiquated locomotives that they received from CN and CPR. The fleet was meant to become the primary long-distance motive power for VIA, with the LRC's providing the bulk of the Corridor service. The second round of budget cuts in January 1990 meant that many of the troublesome LRC's could be put into storage, and the F40PH's would provide the majority of all service.

These units are amongst the last F40PH's built, and are some of the most advanced. While they are classified as -2's, they are closer in technology to 50-series units, with radar wheelslip systems. Much as most other F40PH's, the HEP alternator is gear-driven from the prime mover, meaning that it must run at a constant RPM regardless of the speed of the actual locomotive. The D at the end of the designation signifies the desktop control stand that the units are equipped with.

After initial purchase, many had to operate in service leading either a steam generator car, or existing VIA locos equipped with steam generators (FP9's, F9B's, FPA4's, FPB4's, etc) as VIA still had a significant fleet of steam-heated passenger cars the HEP-powered F40's could not heat. Modernization and rebuilding of the passenger car fleet with HEP in the 1990's helped eliminate this.

credit goes to TRAINIAX