Caltrain begins electrified train service on the San Francisco-San Jose, California, corridor

On September 21, Caltrain unveiled its new electrified schedule, converting the 160-year-old San Francisco-San Jose, California, rail corridor from diesel power to electric power. Caltrain says it is currently offering 100 percent renewable, zero-emission service from San Francisco to San Jose for the first time.

The new high-performance electric trains offer a better experience for Caltrain riders. Caltrain service is now faster and more frequent: 16 stations have trains every 15 to 20 minutes during rush hour, trains arrive twice an hour on weekends, and express service from San Francisco to San Jose takes less than an hour. Additionally, the new vehicles offer enhanced amenities including free Wi-Fi, onboard digital displays, power outlets at every forward-facing seat, energy-efficient lighting, changing tables in the bathroom, security cameras, an upgraded climate control system, and expanded storage space under the cantilevered seats. The electric trains also produce less noise than their diesel counterparts, making the ride more pleasant for both passengers and residents who live near Caltrain tracks.

Caltrain's electrification project is fully funded due to the efforts of federal, state and local partners who contributed funding.

“The electrification of Caltrain is a milestone we have worked toward for decades, and now everyone we serve can enjoy first-class rail travel.” I am grateful to the thousands of men and women who worked hard to make this day a reality ,” said Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain's executive director. “The future of Caltrain is here and I invite everyone to board the premier transportation option from San Francisco to San Jose.”

“Trains first ran from San Francisco to San Jose 160 years ago, and today they are once again the best way to travel along the peninsula,” said Dev Davis, Caltrain CEO. “Now, for the first time, everyone in the three counties we serve has access to a fast, frequent, sustainable, quiet, comfortable and Wi-Fi-enabled form of transportation.”

Caltrain notes that electrification will help meet ambitious regional and state climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and reducing traffic congestion. Additionally, electrified service will promote equity along the corridor by reducing noise and air pollution while improving access for equity-priority communities. It will also set the framework for California's future high-speed rail network.

Each trainset will have seven cars, instead of the previous five to six. According to Caltrain, the new trains accelerate and brake faster than the diesel fleet, allowing for more frequent stops in the same amount of time. In certain circumstances, such as maintenance issues or emergency situations, diesel trains may continue to operate occasionally on the corridor.

Caltrain notes that riders taking the South County Connector from stations south of Tamien can save up to 20 minutes thanks to the new schedule. Passengers from South County will ride the diesel trains to the San Jose Diridon station, where they can transfer across platforms to one of the new electric trains in three minutes. In the event of a late arrival, connecting trains at San Jose Diridon will be held between two and five minutes to accommodate South County passengers. The final South County Connector of the evening stops as long as necessary to ensure no passenger is left behind.

Caltrain eventually plans to replace the transfer by introducing battery-powered electric trains that run on overhead line power in the electrified service areas and then use the battery charge to run “off-wire” on non-electrified track areas, resulting in total zero-emissions. South County Service.

The trains were built by Stadler US at their factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. Once assembled, they were sent to a testing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, where they were tested at high speeds and in a variety of conditions in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration requirements. The trains were tested for eight months for brakes, propulsion, ride quality, noise and vibration, door operation, positive train control and electromagnetic interference and then tested for more than 1,000 miles of travel before being certified for passenger service. The trains first went into service in August this year.