Caltrain Operates First Electric Trains

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Sun Jun 18, 2023, 08:06 AM - Edit history (1)

Caltrain is currently spending more than $2 billion to electrify its main line between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Photo Courtesy of Caltrain.

Caltrain Operates First Electric Trains

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The electrification of Caltrain on the San Francisco Peninsula reached a major milestone last week when the California commuter agency operated electric trains under their own power for the first time.

Caltrain is currently spending more than $2 billion to electrify its main line between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The electrification is expected to be completed sometime next year. Initial tests of the Stadler-built EMU trains will be conducted between Santa Clara and College Park Stations on the Santa Clara Drill Track. Test runs will expand to the main track, between San Antonio and San Jose Diridon stations later this summer.

“The start of testing for our new electric trains marks a historic moment for our agency, symbolizing tangible progress towards electrification,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “It signifies a future of improved service, reduced environmental impact and a more reliable experience that will benefit both our riders and the communities we serve.”

Because the electric trains will be quieter than the current diesel-powered ones, officials were encouraging residents to pay attention when crossing rail lines.

The electrification of Caltrain will eventually mean the retirement of its fleet of F40 locomotives. Officials say the electrification project will improve the customer experience by increasing the number of trains, modernizing service and adding new safety elements. The new trains will feature on board displays with digital trip information, increased storage capacities, baby-changing tables, Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat.

This article was posted on: June 15, 2023

[House of Roberts]

1. I like watching the electrics on the Paradise, Pa.

Virtual Railfan cam. They make an eerie whoosh with a scream added when they pass close to the cam.
In the dark you can see the arcs as the pan rubs the wire overhead.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I know that one. I have it on every now and then.

You look up, and, all of a sudden, there they are.

That might be the only place you can watch electrics on VR.

I’ve got VR’s feed of Ashland, Virginia, on right now. There are three kids with a camera set up on a tripod on the platform waiting for Amtrak 80 and 90. That’s a nice place to watch trains.

youtubedotcom/watch?v=e47XhLmZhFk

Edited: four kids with two cameras on tripods.

Northbound Carolinian is by Ashland. Northbound Palmetto is still at Richmond. Southbound Silver Star, 91, just went by. The kids went for the shadowy side view. Kids today! Southbound Autotrain is out of Lorton. Maybe CSX will send a freight through to liven things up. The scanner feed is online.

Now 124 is on the way.

[House of Roberts]

3. I keep Ashland's PTZ cam on my tv now.

You really started me on watching those cams. Thanks for the tip. I am fairly proficient at the Amtrak map as well as the transit docs. I wish there was a better way to track the freights.
Keeping an eye on the various chats helps to locate unusual sightings on the various cam sites. I’m still not able to log in and subscribe yet though. I have to work out a way to reactivate my dormant Hotmail email to use for a login address.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. I was watching Friday morning.

Things can heat up starting at about 5:30 a.m. If the northbound Silver Meteor is late, not that that ever happens, you see him. CSX is in the habit of sending through a northbound stack train a few minutes ahead of 86’s schedule. Then, at 6:16, you get 86. That’s pretty reliable, as it originates in Richmond. You see the same people riding that train, as it serves as a commuter train.

There are some groups.io groups for CSX sightings, but I don’t know of anyone who concentrated on the Richmond-Petersburg-Ashland area.

https://groups.io/g/railscan

https://broadcastify.com/listen/feed/36975

You need only one frequency to listen to trains on the old RF&P: 161.550 MHz.

[House of Roberts]

5. The supposedly early one, the 98, showed up about

6:47 late the other day. That’s six hours late. I look for it in Florida the evening before and it’s always an hour or more late even then.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. It must have been the weather.

Trains across the southwest and southeast were hours late for a few days last week.

One neat thing about VR is that it makes the last twelve hours of video available. If you miss a train, you can get in the time machine and go back in time to see what you missed.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. All that smoke we had in the northeast last week is now to be found in

Fort Madison, Iowa.

[AllaN01Bear]

9. yay.

will be waiting for the railfans to start posting vids .