CALTRAIN introduces NEW ELECTRIC TRAINS (Aug 11, 2024)

[@garyh.2487]

The faster, quieter, smoother ride makes the trip much more relaxing, creating the illusion that the trip feels shorter. Very Nice!

[@Sacto1654]

It should be noted the trains were still running on the old schedule due to the presence of the older diesel-electric powered train sets. Starting September 21, 2024, these train sets will run on a much faster schedule to take full advantage of the faster acceleration and deceleration of these new train sets.

[@albertcarello619]

The bell sure reminds me of the old time Interurbans of years past.

[@rongodfrey3044]

Gotta say this is a major step up from the locomotives.

[@isaacrogers4174]

I actually worked on these in SLC

[@DesertDwight]

What kind of experience is needed to work there?

[@plamenguenov5117]

Are the seats comfy

[@thenewfatcat]

Decent, European train comfy. It doesn't need to be as comfortable as Amtrak seats since the longest ride starting in September would only be 75 minutes long.

[@DesertDwight]

Why doesn’t Caltrain have level boarding? They don’t share tracks with freight do they?

[@thenewfatcat]

Union Pacific does run a few local freight trains every week along the Caltrain corridor to Redwood City and South San Francisco

[@LanikSJ]

What do I get for having my face in the video? 😁

[@3985uprr]

They look nice, but they will never replace the locomotive trains in the heart.

[@cyrushall4334]

As someone who rode them for years in Switzerland, they absolutely will for most riders.

[@archstanton5973]

You'll get over it steam foamer.

[@3985uprr]

@@archstanton5973 I don’t know. I doubt I will ever return to the Bay Area. Those old EMD’s were a huge magnet for me as I made 2 trips there within a year. I’m just grateful I was able to really overdose on those. People tell me that there are railfan windows on those EMU’s.

[@thenewfatcat]

@@3985uprrThere is a railfan window, provided that the engineer doesn’t pull down the shade like they usually do! On BART the operator for the final Legacy fleet event hanged their coat against the railfan window!

[@ThomasHalways]

I am using Caltrain for over 10 years by now. I am disappointed that the electric trains still make these infernal noises, incessant bell dinging, horn blowing in a decibel level damaging our hearing. I understand Menlo Park and at the least one more city fights for a "quiet zone" around the train. It is about damn time to be more "European" here, for the lack of a better word.

[@MysticalDragonFeather]

Its unfortunately our federal railroad regulations that require all the horns and bells around level crossings. We either need to change those federal regulations, or grade separate the entire corridor to avoid the regulations. Changing the regulations would require a lot of political will, as the regulations exist to protect drivers who don't pay attention at rail crossings. We all know how much special protections driver's get when it comes to federal law, good luck with that. Removing all the level crossings would be expensive and have a lot of local push back for all the new construction for bridges and trenches that would have to be built. More possible as it could be done just in state without getting federal politics involved, just really expensive and slow.

[@ThomasHalways]

@@MysticalDragonFeather Yes, you are correct about the issue. Trains are so uncommon here, that many drivers do not pay attention to crossings. I live 3 miles from Sunnyvale station. When window is open in my bedroom, I might wake up from the... train horn 3 miles away. This is how loud they are. Like an injured monster growling in anger!

[@dpmoos3225]

@@ThomasHalways As an European I understand the problem of drivers not paying attention because trains are still uncommon in the US. But why is this not solved by simply putting barriers at the crossing? Trains are normally quiet, but with all the horns and bells i wouldnt want to live anywhere close to a rail track in the US. Edit: I saw there are barriers, but the train is even horning when passing these crossings (with closed barriers). This is hilarious! We handle this very simple across the pond: If you cross a track with closed barriers, its your own fault when the trains shreds you to pieces. You can not protect everbody from being stupid. Benefit is, that people can also live and sleep near rail tracks.