Caltrain starting public electric service on August 11, 2024

BCL · Aug 9, 2024

Apparently they've been testing the sets (Stadler EMUs) for months, but they'll be going into revenue service this weekend with two trainsets. They have't announced on what train numbers as they apparently don't want a crush of railfans crowding into these trains.

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/caltrain-first-public-electric-rides-19621688.php

Dan Lieberman, a spokesperson for the agency, told SFGATE that they decided against announcing which specific trains would be electric on Sunday — as not to crowd them for safety reasons or displace regular riders — but said there will be “a couple” electric trains in service. Moving forward, until the official launch of the entire fleet next month, Lieberman said Caltrain is “introducing more electric trains every week.”

Cal · Aug 9, 2024

LETS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I'm excited. This is awesome news. Rip F40's

railiner · Aug 9, 2024

BCL said:
Apparently they've been testing the sets (Stadler EMUs) for months, but they'll be going into revenue service this weekend with two trainsets. They have't announced on what train numbers as they apparently don't want a crush of railfans crowding into these trains.

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/caltrain-first-public-electric-rides-19621688.php
Dan Lieberman, a spokesperson for the agency, told SFGATE that they decided against announcing which specific trains would be electric on Sunday — as not to crowd them for safety reasons or displace regular riders — but said there will be “a couple” electric trains in service. Moving forward, until the official launch of the entire fleet next month, Lieberman said Caltrain is “introducing more electric trains every week.”

Not specifying which trains will get certain equipment, gives them more operational flexibility, and if for some reason they have to make changes, avoids disappointment and complaints…

Trogdor · Aug 10, 2024

One person tells me they actually started today.

BCL · Aug 10, 2024

Trogdor said:
One person tells me they actually started today.

Sneaky, that Caltrain.

railiner · Aug 10, 2024

BCL said:
Sneaky, that Caltrain.

Sneaky,….but brilliant…

av84 · Aug 11, 2024

There was a special train today (Saturday) morning for the politicians SF to Millbrae and back. I am not sure if it was open to the public, it certainly was not on the timetable. I hung out around a station this afternoon long enough to see 3 NB and 3 SB trains, none of them were electric.

av84 · Aug 11, 2024

The first electric revenue Caltrain was NB 221 on Sunday, August 11, running trainset #305. Passengers received stickers, squishy foam Caltrain toys, and a "First Electric Train Ride" commemorative key.

Willbridge · Aug 11, 2024

This is different than the first BART train under the Bay. Back then some commuters didn't even look up from their newspapers. I worked with an engineer who with some other Cal students was on the scene for the first Trans-Bay trains over the bridge. At least one operator took a trainload of people down the wrong line.

It sounds like Caltrain staffed the event and avoided comedy.

av84 · Aug 11, 2024

To go into some more detail, for the record:

There was minimal pomp and circumstance - no speeches or announcements. Those were all the day before, with the politicians' VIP train, and maybe there will be more for the big schedule change on September 21. The first revenue trip was minimally-publicized. The people on board were a mix of Caltrain staff, train nerds, and random people who were not expecting anything special. The latter group may not have even noticed anything remarkable, other than the conductor walking through offering stickers and a guy with a box of swag in one of the cars.

The trip was minimally eventful:

A couple of times the train had to be re-positioned for all the doors to be on the platform
Conductors seemed to be commenting that it takes a long time for the doors to open/close compared to the old trains
On the way back, the first southbound run as #228, there was an emergency brake application just north of South San Francisco (possibly related to some employees working on the track)

railiner · Aug 12, 2024

av84 said:
The first electric revenue Caltrain was NB 221 on Sunday, August 11, running trainset #305. Passengers received stickers, squishy foam Caltrain toys, and a "First Electric Train Ride" commemorative key.

That’s the sort of thing that would probably have overloaded that train with those wanting to be “first” to have the experience, and the reason they did not publicise it. The railfan’s that were privvy to the event probably had inside info from some employees that leaked it out…

jiml · Aug 12, 2024

Jack Kittle · Aug 12, 2024

for folks looking for Caltrain swag - https://www.caltrainstore.com/

note the availability of 'Caltrain EMD F40PH-2 Locomotive (Used)'

Own a piece of Caltrain history!

These gently used, lovingly maintained 1985 F40 diesel locomotives could be yours. The historic locomotives come with 40 years of service, and more than 1,000,000 miles travelled. Perfect for your model trainset, train-themed diners, ornamental lawn decor or planter box, unconventional bed n breakfast, or just to show up your overly gnomed neighbor’s lawn.

DETAILS: The used Caltrain EMD F40PH-2 Locomotives will be available for sale around October 2024. Locomotive engine must be disabled per a state grant funding agreement. Buyer is responsible for the costs of storage and transport following the sale as part of an Invitation for Bids (IFP) procurement process. Directors, employees, and their families/agents cannot purchase the trains and the purchaser will be required to indemnify Caltrain/SamTrans against any loss/liability that arises from use after disposition.

PaTrainFan · Aug 12, 2024

Jack Kittle said:
for folks looking for Caltrain swag - https://www.caltrainstore.com/

note the availability of 'Caltrain EMD F40PH-2 Locomotive (Used)'

Not that I had intentions of buying anything but I went window shopping and the site was blocked by my firewall.

Cal · Aug 12, 2024

Jack Kittle said:
for folks looking for Caltrain swag - https://www.caltrainstore.com/

note the availability of 'Caltrain EMD F40PH-2 Locomotive (Used)'

Hmm it says they're "Perfect for your model trainset,... ornamental lawn decor or planter box ... or just to show up your overly gnomed neighbor’s lawn."

Some model railroad that would be, featuring a lifesize F40!

west point · Aug 12, 2024

Well it did not taske long. Already second fatality by the EMU. First was during testing or 1000 mile break in.

https://www.almanacnews.com/menlo-p...ills-pedestrian-in-menlo-park-sunday-evening/

BCL · Aug 13, 2024

Cal said:
Hmm it says they're "Perfect for your model trainset,... ornamental lawn decor or planter box ... or just to show up your overly gnomed neighbor’s lawn."

Some model railroad that would be, featuring a lifesize F40!

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/former-san-francisco-muni-boeing-vertol-lrv-sold.84691/

GDRRiley · Aug 14, 2024

Cal said:
LETS GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I'm excited. This is awesome news. Rip F40's

3 are expected to stay, I saw 920 and 922 double heading this afternoon followed by 905 and 909 headed southbound with a cut of gallery cars. 920,21,22 along with the 6 mp36 are going to be staying around for gilory/salinas service

railiner · Aug 14, 2024

GDRRiley said:
3 are expected to stay, I saw 920 and 922 double heading this afternoon followed by 905 and 909 headed southbound with a cut of gallery cars. 920,21,22 along with the 6 mp36 are going to be staying around for gilory/salinas service

Caltrain is going to run from San Francisco, all the way to Salinas? A thru train, or with a connection at San Jose?

John Santos · Aug 14, 2024

Cal said:
Hmm it says they're "Perfect for your model trainset,... ornamental lawn decor or planter box ... or just to show up your overly gnomed neighbor’s lawn."

Some model railroad that would be, featuring a lifesize F40!

48xO scale (48 quarter inches per foot.)

GDRRiley · Aug 14, 2024

railiner said:
Caltrain is going to run from San Francisco, all the way to Salinas? A thru train, or with a connection at San Jose?

transfer at Diridon unless its the battery set which maybe able to go the whole way

west point · Aug 15, 2024

What will happen if Caltrain gets rid of most of their F-40s? If for some reason the Statler's could not power under the wires but F-40s could pull or push them for service. My thought is that there would be a major electrical shortage so the EMUs could not operate normally. If all the F-40s are gone then riders are SOL.

jis · Aug 15, 2024

west point said:
What will happen if Caltrain gets rid of most of their F-40s? If for some reason the Statler's could not power under the wires but F-40s could pull or push them for service. My thought is that there would be a major electrical shortage so the EMUs could not operate normally. If all the F-40s are gone then riders are SOL.

I don't think any electrified railroad in the world maintains an alternate non-electric fleet to fall back on to provide full service should power supply fail. They spend all their effort in making the power supply resilient. I suspect Caltrain will follow the normal best practice in this matter.

west point · Aug 15, 2024

Actually Amtrak is going to go with many AIRO train sets. That will certainly give Amtrak some flexibility whenever the CAT is snagged on the NEC.

jis · Aug 15, 2024

west point said:
Actually Amtrak is going to go with many AIRO train sets. That will certainly give Amtrak some flexibility whenever the CAT is snagged on the NEC.

Airos are really not well suited for providing high average speed frequent suburban service with frequent stops. Airos are fine for NEC style regional service with less frequent stops, but they would be somewhat similar to NJT's heavy commuter trains that poke along a slow average speeds on a frequent stop suburban service.

Caltrain could have opted for electro-diesel dual mode EDMUs if they thought it was an important consideration, but they did not so choose. Clearly they are unlikely to retain a large fleet of F40s in serviceable condition continuously (it costs a lot of money to do so) to address an issue they chose not to address in the type of equipment they ordered.

Caltrain starting public electric service on August 11, 2024

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