Caltrain narrated RFW on train 503. San Jose to SF. Lots of infographics as well. 10/24/23

We take a ride on one of the Caltrain 500 series “Limited” trains which are one notch below the “Baby Bullets” in running time and the number of station stops made. We have good ride other than a delay south of San Mateo due to a vehicle on the tracks at a crossing. Trip is narrated and all passing trains, stations, interlockings or control points in quotations, as well as numerous signal indications are identified. The weather on this ride was the least sunny of all the cab rides I did. More to follow. (Narration is soft at first but becomes more audible shortly after departure)

[@MegaSnow121]

I operated light rail before I retired. This was very interesting, loved to see the differences with signals, reverse running - every time you crossed over to the other track - and the dwarf signals. Enjoyed the whole video. Thank you!

[@rikkichunn8856]

What an unexpected treat, your thorough coverage on a line I know very well! Never knew the names of all the little interlockings on the line--it's a treat to learn them. Hope there won't be a test! 😅 When you get a chance, come down to Los Angeles and ride my local line, the Antelope Valley Line on Metrolink. Love to see you cover it!

[@3985uprr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ternie6515]

That approach limited signal after Palo Alto is actually MP 29.7 Main 1. After the dash it’s the main track number. The mileposts on the caltrain line is double digits followed by the decimal and the number.

[@ariesarethebest271]

I've been looking forward to this. Will be watching it later today. But came to comment and give a like.

[@rikkichunn8856]

Btw, Mayfield was the name of the community between Palo Alto and Mountain View. The Mayfield station was renamed California Avenue. Toward the close of the Southern Pacific era, it had the most train stops of any station between San Francisco and San Jose. I got off the train there one evening, and remembered I had left my glasses on the train. So I jammed my hand in the gap between the two sliding doors until they stopped the train, ran in and collected my glasses. The conductor was pissed, but mission accomplished! At the bridge just after the Palo Alto station is a redwood tree, the tallest one around, on the right side of the tracks. That is the Palo Alto, for which the city is named.

[@davew.7236]

Grew up in Menlo Park in the 60's and 70s, I would not recognize it but for the depot. Same for San Jose. Yikes, time has flown since the SP days of Harrimans and gallery cars. The old San Carlos depot is barely visible below at 34:28. It's funny to hear the PA - in the SP days, the conductor and brakemen would walk the train calling out the next stop and resetting the "traps" on the Harriman cars for the platform side. Thanks for a great video!

[@tlove3840]

Hope all is well retired rail guy hope your health is on top can you continue doing what you love entertaining us the viewers

[@3985uprr]

At my age that trip took a bit out of me, but I was determined to do it. It was a “ DO IT” trip. I wasn’t going to cancel it for anything.

[@tlove3840]

Thank you one guy you still a young man

[@jimstraveladventures3961]

Just a few corrections. The Mountain View station is a replica station built in the 2010s. the San Mateo station was also built in the early 2000s, the 1975 station was at 2nd St under a parking structure. It was moved to the current location so the trains wouldn't block the crossings when stopped. The MP36s with the LED headlights were just rebuilt by Alstom at Mare Island(former Navy sub base) in Vallejo. The Screamer F40s are 902,903,907,910(Retired) & 914. Pre Pandemic we averaged 65,000 riders with 6 car trains. Not sure what the current ridership is, but most trains are 4 cars.

[@3985uprr]

The Mountain View, Station, fooled me it look like the real thing that was nicely restored

[@USArailfan2000]

Thanks for the infographics, especially noting "Coast" Interlocking located just north of Santa Clara Station [6:43] where other non-Caltrans trains such as Amtrak Coast Starlight, Amtrak Cali, ACE, and UP veer off from the Peninsula Corridor, and continue east on the East Bay Main.

[@Fantech0104]

I still think replacing all these Caltrains with EMU's is a mistake. The project would be millions of dollars cheaper if they preserved the cab cars and worked on bringing new locomotives such as the ACS-64 or another electric locomotive that could accommodate the cars. Either way, the diesel locomotives will be missed. I hope they get transferred to other railroads in other states instead of being scrapped!

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Problem is ACS-64s have much poorer acceleration than Multiple Units

[@Kidney7661]

All the crossings at San Mateo almost remind me of asbury park on the coast line.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Interesting ride.💚👌

[@dutchvanderlinde154]

Great video

[@tlove3840]

That's great you doing of a train Network besides the metropolitan area I suggested that a long time ago since I've been watching but then again I don't know if you were doing that before I start watching anyway when you have time I hope you could be able to go to all the states different states and other countries

[@NYG2012]

That's a not a stop signal at 43:25. It's a stop and proceed. He has to proceed at restricted speed when he enters the block.

[@3985uprr]

On another trip that I took later, I did mention that that particular signal indication was a stop and proceed.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

I wonder how they’ll eventually grade separate San Mateo… big question being what will move out of the way, the cars or the trains? I think lowering the tracks and raising the road wouldn’t be a bad idea, however I’m not so sure given the history of the station building

[@jackchen7003]

Great video. What hotel did you stay in while you were there? Thinking of making a railfan trip to San Francisco myself...

[@3985uprr]

Dylan SFO Hotel. It was a stones throw from the Millbrae station. I heard F40’s roaring past outside my window. Nice hotel. Nice rooms. Very comfortable. Friendly staff. Lots of restaurants nearby.

[@ariesarethebest271]

​@@3985uprrGlad you're enjoying yourself.

[@loocpoc]

Reminds me of the NE Corridor in some parts and Japanese railroading in others. Does CALTRANS contract out the railroad operations to UP, another company or is it in house?

[@3985uprr]

Not sure but they probably get rights to run on Caltrain. It’s like the NY&A running freight on the LIRR.

[@andrewdutton3831]

Wow! I was just out there as well. I was wondering (and maybe you mention this in the video) but are those bi-level cars former GO Ontario cars? They sure look the same from the outside.

[@3985uprr]

Those are built new for Caltrain and the others are original to Metrolink

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

Same design but not from GO

[@malachimuhammad-dy2ow]

Is it local or express?

[@3985uprr]

Limited

[@thewmreed]

What was the equipment you was on? What was your top speed? Definitely faster than anything on the Regional Rail or LIRR. Unpopular opinion i love my Silverliner IV horns. 😂😂😂

[@3985uprr]

Nippon Sharyo bilevels. I wouldn’t be able to do this well on a Bombardier car.

[@3985uprr]

We maxed out at 79

[@3985uprr]

We all have our opinions about horns. I adore the Silverliner 5 horns. You can’t tell me they aren’t prettier sounding than the 4’s.

[@thewmreed]

@3985uprr I guess you are right, maybe 😏 😉. Maybe growing up with them gave me Stockholm Syndrome, does your therapist deal with this? I know you love to give the MN (Poughkeepsie? Pls coreect me if im wrong) local grief because of the time and distance, but what about our (SEPTA) Wilmington line almost an hour to go roughly 30 miles? 😂🤣😂 Thank you for all your great videos, I enjoy all your humor and satirical comments. As well as all the history you provide.

[@3985uprr]

@@thewmreed the white plains north locals are the ones I always poke fun at because they make so many stops in such a short distance. I just try to tell it like it is and I don’t like to take everything seriously. Humor is needed for me to deal with things

[@barbarakilpatrick3859]

12:40😷

[@JCON631]

Great ride, however, the ambient audio was overdriving your narration. Very difficult to hear you.

[@3985uprr]

Earlier on, you couldn’t hear me as well, but I got a little louder later. I listen to it myself, and I can hear myself fine.