Caltrain Electrification

Transit Briefs: Tri-Rail/SFRTA, Caltrain, Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) celebrates the groundbreaking of its first-ever transit-oriented development (TOD) adjacent to Tri-Rail’s Boca Raton Station. Also, Caltrain’s Electrification Project is awarded by the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California); and Maryland Governor Wes Moore testifies before the Senate Finance Committee in support of the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act.

For Caltrain, Stadler US, a KISS TSSSA

Caltrain and Stadler US, Inc. have established a TSSSA (Technical Support and Spare Supply Agreement) for the agency’s new fleet of KISS electric multiple units (EMUs).  The agreement provides on-site technical support,

Caltrain EMU Testing Under Way

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 Substation ‘Juiced Up’

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.

First CalMod EMU on Test Track

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.

California Senate boosts CalMod program

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).

Sales tax ballot measure OK’d for Caltrain

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.