Testing with 25kV AC electric traction has commenced between Santa Clara and College Park on the Santa Clara Drill Track in California, the first time electric trains have run on the Caltrain network and another major milestone in the commuter railway’s landmark electrification program.
Caltrain’s Electrification Project, expected to be completed in 2024, attained a major milestone on Aug. 29 when its San Jose Traction Power Substation, one of two such facilities, was energized with power from Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). With “juice” in the catenary, Caltrain can commence vehicle and infrastructure testing.
Caltrain’s Stadler-built KISS EMU (electric multiple-unit) No. 1 has arrived at Transportation Technology Center, Inc. in Pueblo, Colo.
As part of the Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) Program, Caltrain recently placed the first EMU (electric multiple-unit) trainset from Stadler Rail on the 25KV-electrified test track at the builder’s Salt Lake City manufacturing facility.
Caltrain is acquiring 37 additional Stadler double-deck EMU cars for the San Francisco – San Jose electrification project.
California Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the statewide transportation funding legislation signed into law in 2017, is now providing Caltrain with funding necessary to continue work on Caltrain Electrification, a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program (CalMod) to electrify the Caltrain corridor from San Francisco’s 4th and King Station to approximately the Tamien Station in San Jose, and convert diesel-hauled trains to EMUs (electric multiple units).
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 10 signed a state senate bill authorizing Caltrain to place a local sales tax measure on the upcoming November election ballot. If passed, the sales tax, which would be a maximum of one-eighth of one cent (0.125 cents), will provide Caltrain, which provides regional/commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, a dedicated funding source.
Following years of planning and recent federal funding uncertainty, Caltrain broke ground on the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project July 21.
In a recent survey, Caltrain asked customers to select the livery of new high-performance electrified trainsets to be built by Stadler Rail for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) intends to sign a Full Funding Grant Agreement with Caltrain that would commit $647 million to the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project.
