Caltrain begins Stadler KISS EMU testing

The day has finally arrived for Caltrain to begin testing their new Stadler EMUs. The date is June 5th, 2023, 10am, College Park station/San Jose, California. The plan is to test the electric multiple unit via pantograph/overhead catenary wire to operate under its own power on a portion of track between Caltrain’s CEMOF and Santa Clara station for a few days. Before the drop off, the team looked around the consist beforehand, later on dropping it off at the end of the track near Santa Clara station besides the main tracks. After some tests of the electrical systems, the team then began to run it back and forward on the portion of track. Later on ending testing for the day at the start of the commuter rush hour. Already delayed by 2 years, Caltrain is anticipating the EMUs to enter service by early 2024. Congratulations to Caltrain, the team onboard on this next step to a new future. Take a glimpse to what the future will look and sound like for Caltrain ft. some friendly crews as they past by!
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[@Emilien-hy3sy]

I've been taking Stadler Kisses for about 15 years here in Switzerland, they're great! :) I'm glad you are starting to have some real trains!

[@allyreneepenny9447]

One of a best trains 👍💯

[@cats0182]

The US has ALWAYS had "real trains". They were designed in the US and built in the US. Unfortunately, the manufacturers were allowed to fold, and foreign companies filled the vacuum. It is a sad state of affairs.

[@ryy4n_]

@@cats0182 no they arent lmao, us trains are a joke

[@Tracks_And_Chill]

@@ryy4n_ US train SERVICE is a joke. The trains themselves are very much “real”.

[@mtanyctrainatlantamartatra7164]

​@@ryy4n_Man, you don't know anything

[@commodoresbank]

Its pretty surreal after all these years of seeing construction progress, they test their state-of-the-art electric trains under its own power. Kudos to Caltrain, and hopes to see them running on the electrified line next year.

[@davidng2336]

Caltrain is starting to go somewhere with this. I’m looking forward to the first revenue runs whenever that time comes.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Under its own power!!! Let’s gooo!!!!!! Edit: I wonder when testing on more of the corridor will take place. Either way, it’s very exciting to see it under its own power for one of the first times on Caltrain property! I wonder when AEM-7 testing will begin

[@KcarlMarXs]

Next week are supposed to be up to speed runs

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

What's the story with AEM-7 engines? Is Caltrain getting some? I hadn't heard that.

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

@@Jeff-uj8xiyes Caltrain acquired 929 and 938 while 938 was repainted into Caltrains livery

[@ignaciotorovillacura6342]

it's incredible the difference between those old steel wagons and that modern and clean EMU. Congratulations to california!

[@CraftyFoxe]

Looks very sleek and modern!

[@KCSM_1200]

Así es amigo, ojalá estas locomotoras sirvan para el bien de las personas

[@KCSM_1200]

El tren es progreso

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Absolutely 👍

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

Lovely to see such familiar trains over there. Here they are used as an airport train that ferries people to and from Moscow's airports. Ridden on 'em quite a few times! Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@CaliforniaOfAoi]

Rolling stock from Switzerland.

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Yes that's correct,but these trains was build in North America! Stadler has many Factories in Europe and North America.

[@pfroud1]

Excellent video, thanks for recording and posting this!

[@FishyAltFishy]

Cant wait to see it run on track thats not 2000 years old

[@geowar20]

The oldest working railroad in CA was the Arcata and Mad River Railroad, first operational in December 15, 1854… that’s 169 years… so you’re good!

[@osmanhossain676]

I always love Caltrain electrifications and California High-Speed Rail.😮

[@stephanweinberger]

@9:19 that track alignment is brutal

[@AndresGarcia-hu8ij]

Caltrain trying to compete in the rollercoaster business

[@pedromorgan99]

WTF! from UK..

[@pedromorgan99]

Looks like low "cyclic top" kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppjUqqSvn5iXhMk

[@pedromorgan99]

Detection kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Gpeautpd1jZ80

[@chrisvazquez7]

That’s not the mainline. It’s just a yard lead.

[@Sven_Okas1967]

It's nice that the electrical operation is now taken up there. But the last time the test track was revised was 50 years ago. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven

[@northerncalirails2008]

Good shot

[@oaksub510]

Nice video

[@osmanhossain676]

I love Caltrain electrifications and California High-Speed Rail.😮

[@awesomevillevlog5798]

Bell reminds me of Most Railroad crossings

[@eannamcnamara9338]

It makes me happy to see a real modern suburban train running in california

[@alexverdigris9939]

12:45 , 16:50 - lovely straight track 😵‍💫😂

[@tankman_tv9332]

26:30 i was also on that ACE to fremont

[@ncard00]

Please upload whenever you get some footage of the train accelerating from stations, and them passing by at top speed.

[@LonestarTrips]

It Begins!

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

9:10 The bell reminds me of those from light rail systems.

[@IamTheHolypumpkin]

So great to see high quality European EMUs in the USA. You really deserve better (and electric) trains. The only thing which looks odd to me is that the upper level is full width. In Europe the dynamic envelope is smaller so the upper level is usually curved inwards.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

The US has a ludicrously large loading gauge since most infrastructure is set for double stacked container freight which is about 20 feet tall

[@cats0182]

Don't like our trains? Stay where you are. The US HAD "better trains" for eons. However, travelers learned that they could get to the destinations more timely by plane(long distances) or car(short distances). Train ridership declined and only the US government(AMTRAK) could save it. Whether it should have or not can be debated.

[@ajf5745]

@@cats0182 i'm sorry but us trains don't hold a candle to the shinkansen

[@lubzeN]

Awesome video!

[@RafaelAcosta-oq4eo]

Very nice video ❤

[@pacificostudios]

I think the new cars are handsome. They look clean and efficient.

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Awesome trains 👍

[@ethancampbell6076]

9:08 LRV E-bell really. It's a wise Idea Stadler's needed a E-bell for Caltrain

[@mescalita8]

I agree because its not à light raiĺ

[@realadrieno]

so they are gonna change the bells?

[@MSRTA_Productions]

​@@realadrienomost likely not

[@Whiterose11476]

Wow, very cool

[@jonathanpowell3763]

That is Quiet!!! Wow!

[@gerdel8615]

The emus will be nicer than old trains

[@D445Scilla]

Beautiful video. Congrats. I subscribe on your channel

[@stampycatfan01lol]

That’s an interesting choice for a bell. They honestly don’t look too bad though.

[@almerindaromeira8352]

If you put it side to side with the "normal" one for europe you won't be saying that anymore 😅

[@realadrieno]

if heavy rail trains in europe had bells, they would probably sound like that.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Should've gone with a Graham white E-bell like Amtrak uses

[@ChimmyAnimate]

Just keep the bell dude, it's more than just not bad, it's a vibe

[@StocktonSubber]

I now have the right to call them "Big LRVs" with that bell. *You cannot stop me.*

[@realadrieno]

wasn’t planning on that

[@railtechadventurer]

A good name, or a mini commuter rail for some other agencies in the US that have Stadler Flirt units instead.

[@martinbauer8395]

Amtrak California should do the same with their LA to San Diego Surfliner trains. Are these going to be 8 car sets like the Sydney Trains EMUs (A, B, K, M & T Sets, and NSW Trainlink H & V Sets? or up to 10 cars (NSW Trainlink D Sets, built by Hyundai Totem). The bell, when used with the flashing headlights (starting around 9:09 in the video) sounds like level crossing bells. 😎🇦🇺

[@utahrailfan1946]

7 cars.

[@amtrak_121]

No! I like locomotive hauled sets!

[@sixfifty_sebb]

nah they’re better diesel even tho they won’t do this now cuz they have sc44s

[@viperq]

Long overdue.

[@tankman_tv9332]

Wait you were there too? Dang nice so was I

[@TrippaMazing87]

Let’s hope the MBTA *eventually* follows this..

[@JasonBentrosnowqube]

Yes, the MBTA needs electrification. We cannot use diesel trains anymore.

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

@@JasonBentrosnowqubeexactly plus electric trains are fantastic in my opinion than diesels

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

The MBTA will actually be electrified next year

[@JasonBentrosnowqube]

@@LACMTA_Metrolink source?

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

I heard the Massachusetts state legislature is trying to force them to Electrify

[@physh]

Do you know if the swiss build the trains differently to deal with the crappy tracks in the US?

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

If German and Swedish Rolling stock work swiss should too but not the shit alstom cranks out

[@physh]

@@IndustrialParrot2816 *Swiss

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

@@physh i Said Swiss

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Excellent video, likes from me !

[@joostvanderlee9569]

finally some real trains in a part of the usa

[@OfficialSEIC2K6]

Caltrain's new Stadler Kiss Electric Multiple Units begin testing under their own power and not by a diesel locomotive. The future of Caltrain: complete electrification due to the California High Speed Rail construction. It's the end of the line for Caltrain's current diesel locomotives. RIP Caltrain's diesel fleet.

[@railfangarrett6313]

I thought caltrain was going to use the aem-7's to test first before the emu's

[@felixbeutin8105]

think they did already

[@cadespencer6320]

@@felixbeutin8105 video of that?

[@lalakerspro]

1:55 comparison to how much better the old horn sounds

[@aoilpe]

Swiss pride on American rails…

[@yaraihan]

The Bell Sound Just Like Railroad Crossing In The US.

[@osmanhossain676]

Yes.😮

[@tom-and-mom]

This was also taken on the 35th day of the writers' strike, right?

[@mikegross6107]

I wonder how bad a condition the track has to be before any trains are allowed to run on them!

[@chrismasonreal]

Ok but where the AEM-7s at

[@DataD-o1p]

Electrification is a great step forward! I would love to see the United States rival Switzerland and China when it comes to passenger rail. We already have an excellent road system, it's time to bring rail to the point no one needs a car to get around.

[@DDELE7]

Can you imagine those bad boys on the MBTA Commuter Rail? 😌

[@marcocampos2332]

Are the MP36s gonna be in service when the KISS EMU trains are in service

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

Yes

[@marcocampos2332]

@@LACMTA_Metrolink oh ok

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

@@marcocampos2332 from tamien to gilroy

[@evanstonbalce9588]

They will remain in Caltrain’s possession but they will only be in service between Tamien and Gilroy stations

[@thuringervideograf9811]

Compared to the Stadler Kiss trains that run here in Germany (such as those that run for the ODEG or the Westfalenbahn), I find the Caltrain ones pretty ugly. Of course there are also some regulations in the USA and Caltrain will have played along with that, but the design is weird in my opinion.

[@brandonk9706]

The front body design is the same as SBB's latest KISS trainsets. However, the loading gauge on Caltrain's corridor is larger than those in Switzerland and most of Europe so the top level windows don't need to curve in. It's more spacious upstairs on the inside, but it does make the outside look boxy compared to its European cousins.

[@RTSRafnex2]

@@brandonk9706 no curved windows is a downgrade though. They give a great view.

[@Fidel_cashflo]

@@brandonk9706 They had to build two sets of doors at different heights so it could use future CAHSR platforms too

[@brandonk9706]

@@Fidel_cashflo This is technically true since the high-level doors did get built alongside the trains, but there are no current plans to install those doors on the trains in the Bay Area. They are currently in long-term storage in a warehouse off-site. You can see the outline where the doors would be if they were ever installed, but right now there is seating and an emergency exit window in that spot on each car.

[@tankman_tv9332]

​@@RTSRafnex2 curved windows make the train feel cramped and more like an airplane in a bad way

[@almerindaromeira8352]

That's the boxiest KISS I've ever seen. Why is the roof so wide and flat? Loading gauge?

[@zoNicke]

Weird American regulations

[@georgobergfell]

Loading gauge allows this

[@TohaBgood2]

@@zoNicke Nope. The US loading guage is wider and the ADA regulations more strict. Hence, you need the wider second level to avoid losing seats up there.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

They have room and it means you can fit more seats anyway yeah American rolling stock is very tall

[@The_jestalade]

If Caltrain gets rid of their bile so cars and their locomotive equipment, Metra could take it as they almost use the same cars and locomotives.

[@coleallen3895]

Metra should take the three Caltrain F40s that were built in 1998 as well as the Gallery cars that were built in 2000

[@Ivan88_]

they staring at them gallery cars as we speak

[@davidng2336]

Metra actually went for Alstom Coradia cars to replace their oldest Gallery cars.

[@Ivan88_]

@@davidng2336 Yeah but at the same time they brought back their oldest equipment 😂

[@davidng2336]

@@Ivan88_ that’s EXACTLY what’s getting replaced by the Coradia cars.

[@kirkzevola5004]

Looks like Caltrain went from railroad to trolley’s cause they literally look like trolleys

[@juanmontull8550]

What is that track!!😨Is the most unsafe bumpy track I've ever seen!

[@gregorygrice]

Its a yard lead.

[@juanmontull8550]

@@gregorygrice And? In Spain even our yard leads are well maintained, it's something basic for railway safety. In the US you take good care of cargo trains, but as far as passenger trains are concerned, they are third-world class

[@GamingRailfanner]

@@juanmontull8550 Even Freight isn't maintained properly

[@GamingRailfanner]

Also for the love of god, stop with your "wE hAvE bEtTeR tRaIN iNfAsTrUcTuRe". we get it, we've fallen behind and we're trying to catch up, this is a start.

[@elioarmas-rojo8601]

@@GamingRailfanner I’d like to remind them that if is nightjet hit a deer, they’d have to stop and delay the train meanwhile Amtrak will hit a deer and keep going😂😂😂

[@portcybertryx222]

I hope that’s the test track cause it looks hella sus

[@trainfanx2]

Looks kinda like the Swedish er1

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

That's because it's the same family of Trains

[@hpage66]

Cool! Let's some Caltrain AEM-7 video!

[@Vektab]

What will be the allowed speed once it's fully in operation?

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

110 mph

[@ryanbahrami]

How dare they replace the F40PH and MP36 They need to keep running the old fleet or they need to make Metra happy

[@sixfifty_sebb]

they will only run they’re rebuilt f40’s and mp36’s and bombardier sets since those aren’t very old like the old gen f40’s and gallery cars

[@ChimmyAnimate]

*MASSIVE FACEPALM* You mean to tell me that we should keep the F40phs that Is literally outdated nowadays?

[@ryanbahrami]

@@ChimmyAnimate If it aint broke dont fix it

[@josephjacobs247]

Why tf does caltrain have metra coaches someone pls explain

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

They bought the same kind they have always bought the equipment as Metra until now

[@sixfifty_sebb]

those coaches aren’t made by metra n they ain’t the only ones using them

[@MLAGGIONE]

didn't know california has electrified rail tracks.

[@DanielLamando]

it does now (this has been an ongoing effort for caltrain & I understand not 100% done yet)

[@MLAGGIONE]

@@DanielLamando well good for them. this is a step in right direction to modernise USA rail infrastructure. and so happy to see California is getting HSR from Los Angeles to San Diego. Trust me it's much more worth it than flying with airplane at least on those short to medium distances....

[@fantrain2023ferovi]

Les trains américains ressemble de plus en plus au train européens

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

That's because it is European it's built by swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

​@@IndustrialParrot2816 Which isn't right, at all.

[@jeremykuhn6462]

It was all nice and quiet until I came blasting through there XD

[@tompaah7503]

Hope they will run okay on the decrepit US railroads.

[@amtrak713productions8]

Does it have a horn?

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Yes it sounds kinda weird yho

[@eurouc]

The track looks to be in terrible condition.

[@lalakerspro]

It's not used for actual service

[@shopdog831]

man that siding track is pritty lumpy

[@rail-ryder7135]

First F.L.I.R.T. now K.I.S.S. What's next H.U.G.?

[@Alexriga]

P.E.N.E.T.R.A.T.O.R. high speed train which penetrains air.

[@kevinhoward9593]

First time under its own power on home rails?

[@0x0079]

look at the stupid bi level doors i love them so much

[@kv.voyage]

What is the scale of electrification for the Caltrain network, e.g. what areas will it reach?

[@brandonk9706]

With this project they have electrified the 51 mile stretch from 4th & King Station (San Francisco) to Tamien Station (San Jose). In the future, they are looking to run these units on electrified tracks shared with CAHSR which would add 26 miles of electrified tracks south to Gilroy. The partnership with CAHSR has an uncertain timeline since that stretch of the project is currently without funding, but if/when it gets built the improvement will bump max speeds on the corridor from 79mph to 110 mph. Needless to say, that future upgrade is packaged with a lot of grade separations and safety improvements.

[@kv.voyage]

Very detailed explaination - cheers

[@adrianbrandt]

Actually, according to their published and approved FEIR/S documents covering SF-SJ & SJ-Gilroy, the HSRA does not plan or need to fund any additional grade separations for 110 mph operation. As per FRA regulations, they will instead equip all grade crossings with four quadrant crossing gates, thereby preventing any possibility of vehicles driving around lowered crossing gates.

[@brandonk9706]

@@adrianbrandt It is true that quad gate crossings combined with pedestrian crossing gates and traffic dividers are sufficient for level crossings at 110 mph. Nonetheless, CAHSR and 110 mph service is the primary reason why Caltrain wants to go beyond with its planned grade separation projects at: Broadway (Burlingame), Peninsula Avenue (Burlingame), South Linden Avenue (South San Francisco), Castro Street (Mountain View), Rengstorff Avenue (Mountain View), Mary Avenue (Sunnyvale), Churchill Avenue (Palo Alto), Meadow Drive (Palo Alto), and Charleston Road (Palo Alto). If the recently-completed Hillsdale Grade Separation is any indication, CAHSR will likely pitch in to assist with grade separation funding on their future corridor.

[@TohaBgood2]

@@adrianbrandt It's true that they don't _need_ anything more than quad gates per the FRA. But there are still a ton of grade separation projects in various stages of completion and planning. Those will move forward independent of the 110 mph certification. The cities on the route want to remove some of the crossings and this will be beneficial when they start saturating the schedule with trains. Caltrain is moving to a more S-Bahn/regional metro service pattern so the more crossings they can remove the better.

[@jackchen7003]

wow I can't believe they finally have these things up and running. Although, looking at this train will get some getting used to, its extremely ugly...

[@Coffee_Rail1112]

thats why i've nicknamed it the trashcan

[@TheRandCrews]

Always with these people hating European train sets, too bad it’s the future cause North America doesn’t build their own bulky, blocky, flat train designs anymore.

[@AlexanderOnFire]

@@TheRandCrews To be fair the European trains look better than this set, which is because of the US regulations so bulky.

[@amtrak_121]

I agree!

[@amtrak_121]

@@TheRandCrews It's called improving an old design. Look it up.

[@adamstahl3948]

The European version looks better. I don't understand the American rules at all... Why do trains have to flash, ring and look so big? And American railroad signals? The chapter itself... :D

[@lalakerspro]

We don't want these trains to crumble up when hitting a vehicle like the European ones do

[@adamstahl3948]

@@lalakerspro It has nothing to do with looks.

[@TheRealNinja5704]

All for safety reasons to prevent pedestrians and cars from getting hit and having them know a train is coming. Also I actually prefer this over the mainstream European versions

[@lalakerspro]

@TheRealNinja5704 don't like this particular bell or horn, the bell sounds like a grade crossing bell. Should have kept the same horn and bell as the diesel caltrains

[@TheRealNinja5704]

@@lalakerspro Agreed, I like those better.

[@atemk42]

welp offically we now know the aem-7 can operate on caltrain

[@realadrieno]

i will be referring to that ebell as a european ebell from here on and there’s no stopping me.

[@Abel_DG]

In Europe we don’t equip our trains with bells. Here people can see the train coming.

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

MAN WHY CAN'T THEY USE AMERICAN HORNS ON THESE TRAINS?

[@amtrak_121]

I don't know but we have to do something about all this, otherwise I fear the worst for our country's passenger trains.

[@sixfifty_sebb]

they should’ve put p2 horns or ace trains k5la horns instead of wtv that is

[@ChimmyAnimate]

Lemme guess, y'all are trying to make it look more "american"? Caltrain has more important things to do than replacing something so insignificant, like replacing a horn, which is already useful to warn pedestrians

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

@@ChimmyAnimate because they have chords, european horns are a single note

[@ChimmyAnimate]

@@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle it still doesn't matter, because i like the horn (My opinion)

[@peninsula_sub]

I can't wait to hear about it crashing into a loaded cement truck at 79 mph.

[@6706Productions]

Lol

[@TheRandCrews]

Caltrain has grade crossings?

[@Yvonne-Bella]

​@@TheRandCrews yes, but the crossings will be getting quad gates

[@danielcarlin7784]

how would that be any different than a control car hitting a cement truck?

[@mikegaskin5542]

@@TheRandCrews It has a bajillion grade crossings

[@carollinegrace1006]

California is flat broke with a huge looming deficit, and CalTrain ridership is only 27% (less than a 3rd) of what it was before Covid (October 2019). Hey let's spend some money on new trains that nobody will ride. I hope San Francisco turns into California's Detroit. You get what you vote for.

[@frafraplanner9277]

What do you think will happen to rideship once the train frequency and speed are increased?

[@carollinegrace1006]

@@frafraplanner9277 The primary problem with the ridership deficit is that a large majority of people discovered during Covid that they could work from home. Do you REALLY think that these people are going to beg to go back to the office everyday because CalTrain got faster??? I advise you start calling all the major property management companies in S.F. who are losing money on empty office space, and tell them that their salvation is right around the corner because CalTrain will be faster and more frequent. Glory halleluiah the offices will be overflowing with workers once again all thanks to CalTrain. Jeez, the major problem with modern planners is that they're born and raised in classrooms right out of high school, then go to work in overpaid fantasy worlds. No common sense whatsoever.

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

@@carollinegrace1006 This problem isn't unique to California. It's just as bad in New Jersey and New York. You can't blame people for wanting to skip the rat race of commuting if they don't have to. If even for a few days a week. Commuting is expensive as well as time consuming. But there will always be people that have to commute. For example hospital workers, restaurant workers, theatre workers, factory workers, etc. But 9 to 5 office workers could skip all or some of their commute.

[@carollinegrace1006]

@@Jeff-uj8xi Ehhhh? DUH !!! I wasn't blaming workers for staying at home. I was blaming public transit (especially Cal Train) for buying new equipment when their ridership is barely 30% of what it was in 2019. Now public transit providers like CalTrain and BART are complaining their fare box intake is way down from per-pandemic. What I'm trying to say is STOP MAKING @)@# STYLE UPGRADES WITH 1990's RIDERSHIP. Sheesh, everyone wants to blame someone except their precious little Government leaders.

[@carollinegrace1006]

@@Jeff-uj8xi WELL NO DUH !! You can't expect all office workers to return to the office after Red State leaders sent them all home forever. That's NOT what my point was. My point is that public transit is not going to lure the workers back to their offices by simply modernizing public transit. Yet CalTrain and many others continue VAST modernization, electrification, and equipment upgrades despite that their ridership is barley 30% of what it was in 2019. Now providers like BART are whining that their fare-box intake is way below what is required to operate out of the red. Again: DUH!!! If these agencies can't afford to operate with 1990's fare intakes and ridership, then it's time to go back to providing 1990's style service. Yet nobody in this forum wants to hold their precious little Government officials accountable for anything. Taxpayers are tired of watching empty busses and trains running around in circles all day.