REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Caltrain’s electrification process took another step forward the weekend of March 9-10, with successful testing of trains and catenary on the commuter line’s Redwood City-Mountain View segment, the agency announced Monday.
Test runs beginning at 20 mph and increasing to the 79-mph speed limit were conducted, with a total of 25 test runc completed, continuing the process under which the 23 Stadler-built electric double-decker trainsets must complete 1,000 miles of testing before being allowed to carry passengers. The weekend operations mean trainset testing can now be conducted between San Jose and Redwood City.
“Another test completed marks another step towards a reliable, fast and frequent service for our riders,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said in a press release. “I cannot wait for everyone to get to experience the modernized, zero-emission fleet of Caltrain’s future for themselves this fall.”
Caltrain had earlier released its plans for the electrification service plan, which calls for 70 peak-hour trains on weekdays, up from the current 66, and weekend service every half-hour, instead of at the current hourly intervals [see “Caltrain finalizes electrification operating plan,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 12, 2023].
Only 1 track wired for service ??