All-new trainsets were designed specifically for Caltrain by Stadler to meet the evolving needs of the industry, its workforce, and its riders —all while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Caltrain, and Stadler US recently visited the FRA Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado to share a ride on Caltrain’s latest trains and to discuss the potential significance of the project to California and our nation’s transportation infrastructure at large. State of the art catenary electric trains destined for transit service in California are in the final stages of testing with TTCI, a renowned transportation industry partner and subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads known for its capabilities in testing, research, development, and the safe deployment of emerging transportation technologies.
Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation John Putnam joined Cindy Terwilliger, FTA Region 8 Regional Administrator, Michelle Bouchard, Acting Executive of Caltrain, Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US, Kari Gonzales, CEO and President of TTCI, and other industry professionals aboard the new trains on November 5th. Caltrain and Stadler followed the test ride with a presentation and discussion on the technology of the project, benefits of its local manufacturing, and implications for the industry.
Made possible by significant investment from the federal government, Caltrain’s new trainsets will serve as the foundation for the first modern, electrified railroad in California. This transformational project is creating jobs across the country, combatting climate change, and will significantly improve service for riders. Additional trainsets are now being assembled in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Stadler US manufacturing plant. These new trainsets and their associated infrastructure in California represent a keystone in the state’s transit and sustainability future. This project is a critical component of California’s future high-speed rail system as the two systems will share a corridor. Furthermore, the associated electrification lays the foundation for Caltrain’s revolutionary 2040 Service Vision that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 110 metric tons every day, and support tripling ridership to 180,000 passengers every weekday—the equivalent of adding 5.5 new freeway lanes worth of capacity to US 101.
“These new electric trains will bring a new standard of excellence to the Caltrain corridor,” said Caltrain Acting Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Cleaner, greener, quieter, more comfortable, and more efficient, these trains will deliver an across-the-board improved riding experience with features such as Wi-Fi, improved passenger information displays, additional storage, and power sources at every seat, benefiting the communities we serve for decades to come.”
About Caltrain
Caltrain provides commuter rail service along the San Francisco Peninsula, through the South Bay to San Jose and Gilroy. The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company began passenger rail service on the Peninsula in 1863. The system we know today as Caltrain had its start in 1992, when the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board took over the operation of the train. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor by 2024, which will allow for increased, more efficient service with a 97% reduction to our carbon footprint, providing the Peninsula with the modern transit system that it deserves.
For more information, visit www.caltrain.com and follow Caltrain on Facebook and Twitter.
About TTCI
TTCI’s mission is to provide industry stakeholders with highly effective research, testing, training, and technical support. TTCI engineers and scientists are renowned for answering the railway and ground transportation industry’s most challenging questions and providing real-world solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads, TTCI is an unbiased third-party testing and research partner, maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality while supporting the development and deployment of innovative technologies to increase the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the railroad industry.
For more information, visit www.ttci.tech and follow TTCI on LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Stadler
Stadler has been building trains for over 75 years. The provider of rail vehicle construction solutions has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. It has a workforce of around 13,000 based in various production and engineering locations as well as more than 60 service locations. The company is conscious of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the field of mainline railways and city transport includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros, tramways and trams. Stadler also manufactures main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger carriages. It is the world’s leading manufacturer in the rack-and-pinion rail vehicle industry.
Follow Stadler on LinkedIn, Xing and Facebook.