News & Reviews News Wire Caltrain sets ‘launch party’ for start of electrified operation

Caltrain sets ‘launch party’ for start of electrified operation

By Trains Staff | September 6, 2024

Weekend of events set for Sept. 21-22

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Two trainsets parked at station
Two of Caltrain’s new Stadler EMU trainsets are displayed in San Francisco on Sept. 24, 2022. A series of events are planned Sept. 21-22 to mark the start of full electrified operation between San Francisco and San Jose. Caltrain

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Caltrain will mark the launch of full electrified service on its San Francisco-San Jose route with a two-day “Launch Party” on Sept. 21 and 22.

Major events will be held at the Palo Alto station on Sept. 21 and San Mateo station on Sept. 22, with additional events at other stations across the two days.

RSVPs are requested here for the Palo Alto event, 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, and here for the San Mateo event, 2-6 p.m. on Sunday. Events will feature free train rides, live performances, community booths, a photo booth, food trucks, games, and giveaways.

A full list of events and times planned at other stations is available here.

The new schedule accompanying the launch of electrified service will see shorter travel times and increased frequencies both during weekday peak periods and on weekends [see “Caltrain offers first look at all-electric schedules,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 23, 2024]. The first of Caltrain’s Stadler-built electric bilevel trainsets debuted in revenue service on Aug. 11, with more of the electric equipment gradually being introduced in advance of the Sept. 21 switchover [see “News photos: Electrified service begins …,” News Wire, Aug. 13, 2024].

7 thoughts on “Caltrain sets ‘launch party’ for start of electrified operation

  1. It’s great to know that there’s an agency that can get it right the first time. Now, about Amtrak and the new Acelas,…….

  2. Please. Ya’ll. NEVER EVER say “San Fran.” If you ever say it to someone who lived there (I lived there 20 years) they will laugh at you. And while we’re on this subject, Frisco is a town in Texas (and a defunct railroad as we all know).

    1. I once wrote “St. John” in a post. That’s the port in New Brunswick. I was corrected that it is always written “Saint John”. Didn’t know that, and BTW I’ve been there.

    2. Kind of like saying “Illa-noise” instead of Illinois. Calling someone from Canada a Canuck. As for what to call San Francisco, these days most people usually refer to the homeless, crime, pesky beggars and dirty unkempt streets. As for me I just say “SFO”.

  3. While I believe that Stadler produces an excellent product, why can’t the US do the same. Yeah, I know, unions, corporate greed and politics. Wabtec (GE) and Progressive (EMD) still make excellent locomotives for both the US and international market. Budd used to make an excellent passenger equipment. It’s a shame that we used to produce our own equipment for passenger equipment and now we have to buy it form overseas. I guess I am just a dinosaur, but I would love to see us producing our own products.

  4. Remind me, I can’t recall the discussion, how are the Gilroy trains handled? Will these be diesel into SanFran with a different type of coach?

    1. The current plan is for diesel trains to run Gilory-Diridon, with a three-minute transfer to or from an electric train. If one train is late, the other will wait up to five minutes to ensure a connection; the last train to Gilroy will wait as long as necessary. The eventual plan is to use battery-electric trains that can run all the way to San Francisco, using the catenary from San Jose north.

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