Metrolink F40PH-2 No. 800

Metrolink F40PH-2 No. 800

Overview

Metrolink No. 800 is an EMD F40PH-2 diesel-electric locomotive that served Southern California’s commuter rail network from 2003 until its retirement in the late 2010s. Originally built for Amtrak in 1985, the locomotive later became a unique member of the Metrolink fleet and was the only one of four former Amtrak F40 locomotives purchased by the agency to enter service.

During its Metrolink career, No. 800 handled regular passenger assignments, work trains, special events, and rescue duties throughout the system. Its reputation as a locomotive that could be called upon when additional or emergency power was needed earned it the colloquial nickname “The Fire Truck.”

Metrolink donated No. 800 to the Southern California Railway Museum in late 2025. The locomotive remains at Metrolink’s Keller Yard facility in Los Angeles pending relocation to the museum’s campus in Perris.

Quick Facts

RailroadMetrolink
Number800
BuilderElectro-Motive Division of General Motors
ModelF40PH-2
Build Year1985
Original OwnerAmtrak
Original NumberAmtrak 396
Entered Metrolink Service2003
RetiredLate 2010s
Nickname“The Fire Truck”
Preservation StatusDonated; awaiting relocation
Current LocationMetrolink Keller Yard, Los Angeles, California
Preservation DestinationSouthern California Railway Museum, Perris, California

Amtrak Origins

The locomotive was constructed in 1985 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors as Amtrak No. 396.

The F40PH family became closely associated with intercity passenger service in the United States during the late twentieth century. Amtrak operated No. 396 through the early 2000s, including a rebuilding during the 1990s, before the locomotive became available as surplus equipment.

Its Amtrak career gave the locomotive a history extending well beyond Southern California, but its later service with Metrolink transformed it into a particularly recognizable part of the region’s commuter rail story.

Acquisition by Metrolink

During the early 2000s, Metrolink was seeking additional locomotive power to support service expansion across its Southern California commuter rail network.

Metrolink purchased four former Amtrak F40 locomotives, including Amtrak No. 396. Along with a small group of former Union Pacific SD60s, they were part of a plan to install SD60 components in the four-axle F40 bodies, creating “Super F40s.” The project proved unworkable, and the SD60s and three of the F40s were sold off.

No. 396 was the only locomotive from the group to enter Metrolink service. It was renumbered No. 800 and placed into service in 2003, becoming a one-of-a-kind member of the Metrolink roster.

Its Amtrak-style F40PH appearance also made No. 800 visually distinct from the F59PH and F59PHI locomotives more commonly associated with Metrolink during this period.

Metrolink Service

Metrolink No. 800 found work throughout the commuter rail system. Although it could be assigned to regular passenger operations, much of the locomotive’s reputation came from its versatility.

  • Regular commuter passenger service
  • Rescue assignments for disabled trains
  • Work trains
  • Maintenance and special movements
  • Metrolink’s annual Holiday Toy Express

The locomotive’s varied assignments meant that it could appear almost anywhere on the Metrolink system. Rather than being associated exclusively with one route or type of service, No. 800 became known as a system-wide utility locomotive capable of handling whatever assignment was required.

“The Fire Truck”

Metrolink No. 800 was colloquially referred to as “The Fire Truck.”

The nickname reflected the locomotive’s role as a dependable reserve and utility locomotive. Like a fire truck, No. 800 was not necessarily needed every day. When a train broke down, additional power was required, or an unusual assignment developed, however, the locomotive could be called into action.

In other words, Metrolink did not need No. 800 all the time, but when the railroad needed it, it really needed it.

That role made No. 800 more significant than its relatively small place on the locomotive roster might suggest. Its combination of passenger, rescue, work-train, and special-event service gave the locomotive a distinct identity among Metrolink employees and Southern California railfans.

Holiday Toy Express

No. 800 became especially recognizable through its appearances on Metrolink’s annual Holiday Toy Express.

The locomotive was a regular fixture on the holiday train for more than a decade. These special trains brought decorated railroad equipment and holiday programming to communities across the Metrolink system while supporting the collection of toys for children.

Through those appearances, No. 800 became familiar not only to daily commuters and railfans, but also to families who encountered Metrolink through the annual holiday program.

Retirement

Beginning in 2016, Metrolink received the first of its new EMD F125 locomotives. The arrival of the F125 fleet allowed the agency to begin replacing older locomotives.

No. 800 was retired in the late 2010s and placed into storage. Its retirement ended more than a decade of Metrolink service and more than three decades of combined service with Amtrak and Metrolink.

The locomotive subsequently remained at Metrolink’s Keller Yard facility in Los Angeles.

Preservation

In late 2025, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, better known as Metrolink, donated No. 800 to the Southern California Railway Museum.

The donation ensures the preservation of a locomotive representing a significant stage in the development of modern commuter rail in Southern California. No. 800 connects two major chapters of American passenger railroad history: the national expansion of Amtrak service during the late twentieth century and the growth of regional commuter rail through Metrolink.

As of this writing, No. 800 remains at Metrolink’s Keller Yard facility in Los Angeles while arrangements are made to move the locomotive to the museum. It is not yet at Perris and should not be considered part of the equipment physically located at the museum’s Perris campus.

Once delivered, No. 800 will become one of the museum’s more modern full-size railroad artifacts and a representative of Southern California commuter rail history.

Why No. 800 Matters

Metrolink No. 800 occupies a unique place in Southern California railroad history.

  • Was built in 1985 as Amtrak No. 396.
  • Became the only one of four former Amtrak F40 locomotives purchased by Metrolink to enter service.
  • Worked in passenger, rescue, maintenance, work-train, and special-event assignments.
  • Earned the nickname “The Fire Truck” because of its emergency and utility role.
  • Became closely associated with Metrolink’s Holiday Toy Express.
  • Represents Metrolink’s expansion and equipment needs during the early 2000s.
  • Was preserved rather than scrapped.
  • Will help the Southern California Railway Museum interpret the development of modern regional passenger rail.

No. 800 was never the largest or most numerous locomotive type on Metrolink. Its historical importance comes instead from its unusual background, its versatility, and the distinctive role it filled within the fleet. It was the locomotive that might not be needed often, but could prove invaluable when it was.

Railfan Notes

  • No. 800’s F40PH carbody made it immediately distinguishable from Metrolink’s F59PH, F59PHI, and later F125 locomotives.
  • Its appearances on the Holiday Toy Express made it one of the more publicly recognizable special-purpose locomotives in the Metrolink fleet.
  • Although donated to the Southern California Railway Museum, No. 800 remains at Keller Yard in Los Angeles pending relocation to Perris.

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