Caltrain Start of Electric Service | September 2024 Opening

Join us as we check out and review the new Caltrain schedules and EMUs! There is a lot to unpack from the new features aboard the shiny new EMUs to the big impacts on peoples' commutes.

[@Caltrain921]

What an awesome video bro!!!!

[@aaronposternack5896]

I’ve gotta say, good riddance to the gallery cars. I’m thankful for their service but I’m more than happy to move on from consistently terrible ride quality, lack of amenities, and inaccessible design among many complaints lol

[@aaronposternack5896]

The editing is atrocious I love it!

[@claudea9037]

The slow door closing time is a security thing and only takes some seconds. If they close too fast and somebody is standing in the door, it's dangerous for this person. Stadler builds trains since a long time, they know how to do this.

[@tayloryoung4407]

👍👍👍👍

[@TheLiamster]

I don’t understand why bilevel train cars are used. Surely it would be much better to procure single lever coaches since they have advantages like more space and allow for quicker boarding

[@anthonysnyder1152]

I think it has to do with capacity, since the bi-levels can seat more people. I know Switzerland is switching away from bi-levels but they can also string like 16 car trains (I don’t know the exact number but it’s ridiculously long). That said, I live in Switzerland now (previously SF) and it can be difficult to find a seat on a busy train sometimes. Especially, when you have groups. Caltrain can’t really lengthen platforms so perhaps bilevels are the way to do it.

[@aaronposternack5896]

In the context of Caltrain, they want more seating capacity. To them, the increased dwell times due to the coaches being bilevel are not a big enough problem. Also, these trains have two boarding heights (the mezzanine level has a plug which can be swapped for a high level door which can board at high platforms. This could allow for a transition to fully walk-through, step free single level trains in the future. For now however, Caltrain seems to want to commit to low floor level boarding (continue to board at the bottom floor). I hope this explanation somewhat helps!

[@SebastianD334]

@@anthonysnyder1152 Switzerland is by no means switching away from double decker trains. We've just recently ordered the RABe 512 for example. The next order for the S-Bahn Zürich will also be double deckers. Are you confused because of the FLIRT Evo and the Giruno?

[@anthonysnyder1152]

@@SebastianD334 I’m not certain train types but all I know is that sometimes my train is double decker and sometimes it’s single. On my train to Luzern I ride in a brand new single deck train with beautiful red cushioned seats.

[@AlpsWatcher]

I think your stations are very short and just one mile away from the next one, so that drivers cannot speed up much. And the route is very straight. It’s perfect to use double-deckers. But the railway footing needs to be improved before you get a silky ride. Let Swiss Engineers do it perfectly and quickly.😂