NEW Amtrak California Siemens Venture Cars! ~ The Future is Here!

After many years of sitting and collecting dust in the ACE Stockton Facility, the new Siemens Venture cars are finally in revenue service as of December 21st, 2023! They did many test runs up and down the valley between Bakersfield, Sacramento, and Oakland. Back in 2019, the Venture cars made their very first appearance testing down to Fresno and back to Oakland. After that, they found numerous problems with them so they just put the cars in storage. Then, in the latter months of 2023, it was finally ready to be tested again. The first two clips of the video is the delivery train taking the cars from the ACE facility and deadheading to Oakland. The next clip is a P42 leader on the set! The NPCU cabbage car had PTC problems and wasn't able to lead so they slapped a good ol' Genesis in front of the cabbage. That train made a trip from Oakland to Bakersfield, up to Sacramento, back down to Bakersfield, and finally back to Oakland. Luckily I was able to catch the P42 leading in daylight as the other test trains ran mostly during the night. Then the rest of the video are just my catches of the new Venture set making its rounds on the Amtrak San Joaquins. It's pretty cool to see an old "F40" with the new, modern equipment. Until the Venture cab cars come... Anyways, I hope you enjoy this video!
Thanks for watching! 👍🏼
©️ All rights reserved to Central Valley Railfan 8311

[@himbourbanist]

these new cars look really good, the livery is possibly one of the best in the network right now

[@arxligion]

the insides are worse

[@dutchbakery2195]

loving the fact that amtrak is throwing the corrugated sheet metal look right in the bin

[@himbourbanist]

having grown up with the Amfleets out here on the NEC I will say that I'll miss them and their huge seats a bit, but the Siemens cars look so modern and clean, it's a new era for Amtrak@@dutchbakery2195

[@TheRealGalaxyExpress999]

You’re kidding right?

[@christofs1196]

Great video, thanks. One remark: at least two Charger locomotives (CDTX 2104 being one of them) have been adapted to the San Joaquins Venture coaches: overall livery matching the cars, 'Amtrak San Joaquins' decals and no more slope on the roof.

[@amtrakpepsiproduct1605]

I can't find any photos of it.

[@christofs1196]

@@amtrakpepsiproduct1605 Interestingly, I cannot find it on the internet as well. I could send it to you if you would provide me an e-mail address.

[@juniorflores687]

Great video! They look like model trains, I just can't believe we have new trains. :) I can't wait to ride them. Thanks for sharing.

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

they are junk compared to the japan trains

[@TohaBgood2]

Damn, these things are beautiful!

[@ChrisJones-gx7fc]

I could totally see this being the paint scheme for the CAHSR trains, should Siemens be chosen.

[@puh_euet9095]

That would be amazing!

[@stevencuskey]

Did that engineer just play “shave and a haircut 2bits” on the horn? 🥂

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Indeed he did!

[@TomMarvan]

0:42 Yes, same pitch for each note, but the right note lengths! 1:47

[@Balerio2357]

Wow, you got at least three shave and a haircuts ! These venture cars are beautiful but , it's amazing how long it takes to work the bugs out of railroad equipment before they enter revenue service. Great catches nice shots, excellent video ! Regards From Neighboring Southern California; - Larry

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

bunch of losers run these companies--they move as fast as snails

[@boomaglev7859]

The new cars look really good, the only problem is that Amtrak replaced the formal cafe car on the San Joaquins with a *vending machine.*

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

There are no vending machines on these trains. They give free snack packs and water

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 Can confirm. Complimentary snack packs and bottles of water in cars 2 & 4.

[@electroscribe]

Glad they’re all single-level. Last time I rode (with bi-levels) was a pain convincing buff 20-somethings to let a senior with a a cane sit on lower-level. (Didn’t want to have to get a conductor hassle ‘em; since no one teaches basic manners anymore).

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Awesome video! It’s really neat to see new rail equipment out on the rails!

[@MaxSupercars]

They look great! 😊

[@Gretschdude1412]

So are they going to remove the spoilers off the chargers once more venture cars are in service? The look is killing me.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

I sure wish but I highly doubt it. The chargers, and all equipment, rotate out so much that it wouldn't be worth it

[@InventorZahran]

Those roof spoilers are stupid. They probably don't improve aerodynamics very much, and they look so out-of-place when paired with single level coaches.

[@PriddhasPengu]

@@InventorZahran They probably only made sense when paired with the supertall profile of the California/Surfliner cars and what was supposed to be Sumitomo/Nippon Sharyo's bilevels in place of the Venture coaches.

[@SPGreg]

Great video, and thanks for the update on the new train set! Well done!!

[@jlbraswell5961]

These new trains look really nice. I really like the configuration with the coach cars in the middle and the locomotives on each end of the train versus say how the Capital Corridor is configured. The coach cars design looks great.

[@gabkae8067]

Great Railway Movie Greetings from Switzerland

[@AbhinavLHB]

Fantastic captures, these trains are looking too good!

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

so odd to read "the future" and still seeing diesel trains ^^

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

they are diesel electric

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@mtsky-tc6uw which still means it runs on diesel. can't talk it nice saying it's diesel electric

[@electrictractiontrainsandt3063]

Great captures! Excellent video!👍

[@Jotherand0o]

Why do so many US trains have locos? This is coming from a Brit, in our country, only the freight trains and the old Eurostar have locos

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

That's just how we do it here. EDIT: Man I started something here 💀 (It's because we don't have a lot of electrification here and we don't use EMU's or DMU's for the most part since using diesels and individual cars is far more flexible like many have said already)

[@not_plausible2033]

if you’re talking about the engines, these are diesel electric locomotives, only they can provide power and electricity to the rest of the train.

[@Ostermond]

I think it’s mostly so that they don’t have to take an entire trainset out of commission if one’s power car develops faults. I think.

[@Trainmaster909]

The NEC is like 40% EMUs

[@Jotherand0o]

@@Ostermond we can just disconnect the faulty carriage if something goes awry though

[@ivanoffw]

It's too bad that the train does not go as far north as Chico and Red Bluff, if not all the way to Redding. Do we know what is happening to the old bi-level cars, are they getting repainted and used on other California routes?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

The bi-levels will be given to Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins will be all Venture equipment. But that's a couple years out at least

[@sunrailfan100]

fun fact (if you want to call it that) that I recently learned is that they are replacing the cafe cars with vending machines!

[@johnpchang]

Not a huge fan of that. Also… if there’s no human running the counter, does that mean no more alcoholic beverages on-board? I can see trying to cut the cafe attendant to save money, but that both cuts a major revenue stream and takes away a major perk of taking the train. It’s really nice on longer rides to have another place to go, decompress, and change up the scenery a bit. This seems like a decision being made by bean-counters who don’t have a true understanding of how these things are used.

[@johnpchang]

@@phillipbanes5484 I won’t disagree with that, but I hold to my point about having a second place to go to, eat, and lounge. Breaks up longer trips and in my opinion really sets trains apart from buses and planes.

[@blakrootz]

love this, just subscribed

[@PlasticBubbleCosplay]

There could be an increase in frequency to hourly (at least) -- every 4 hours with an "extra" run in the middle of one of those slots isn't really enough.

[@ggreg2258]

Was hoping to see the inside!

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

I should've included that! I'll have to in future videos

[@TheFarix2723]

I wonder if those spoilers in the Chargers are removable, seeing that they no longer needed to reduce aerodynamic drag.

[@CabCar6962]

Awesome video Hudson

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

Without the bilevels, the Chargers just have a cool spoiler now 🏎💨

[@MrElbarto75]

Damn, trains in the US are so, so, so, so late .... looks like time stops 50 years ago. How can a powerfull country like that be so railroadly dead for passenger services ? :(

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Oh yeah, it's terrible. I'm just glad we have at least "something." Maybe we'll learn one day... Lol

[@MrElbarto75]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 It's coming, slowly, but it's coming : a train can't be stopped like that :p Elon might have delayed it for one or two decaces, but it will come.Brightline demonstrated to a red country that passenger trains could be great even with an unfinished / full of crossing line. When people will be able to move from LA to vegas faster than plane or car, be sure that all states are gonna be in need of some just for political reasons. The only problem will be ( like in europe and china ) to avoid useless new projects when a simple upgrade of the existing line would be better :)

[@jamesburnside3023]

Fantastic catch fantastic train

[@republic_738]

Love the new cars.

[@BSNCJLproductions]

12:16 is a good one. That’s the first time I’ve seen a train with Siemens Venture cars that does not have a Siemens Charger in the consist.

[@puh_euet9095]

Those are some nice looking venture cars

[@alfonsoromario3078]

All Trains in USA are old. In Chile (South America) we have modern trains

[@XinaCCPFreeTibet]

Already one of the bogies is making rattling noise. 1:55

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

It has since been replaced thankfully!

[@ooppww1923]

Train in us runs on diesel??

[@InventorZahran]

In the U.S., most of the tracks are owned by freight railroad companies, who don't want to invest in electrification because it would harm their short-term profits (despite being more cost-effective in the long term). And since Amtrak and other passenger carriers have to run their trains on those same freight-owned rails, they too have to use diesel locomotives. But this is all changing. There's been a recent movement for passenger railroads to buy or build their own tracks, and those who do often choose to electrify. CalTrain in California is a good example.

[@ooppww1923]

@@InventorZahran wow great explanation thanks for making it clear 😊😊

[@ronclark9724]

@orZahran Unlike Europe and Japan there is NO shortage of oil and gas in America... After the Second World War America switched from steam to diesel... America is a large nation with the MOST railroad tracks in the world, not a TINY nation one can drive across in a single day after dawn and before dusk... America 160 thousand miles, Germany 20 thousand miles, or 260 thousand kilometers to 33 thousand kilometers... Germany is TINY...

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

@@InventorZahran what the heck are you talking about!!!!they are diesel electric !!!!!!!!--there is no such thing as a diesel locomotive...geezuz

[@CoolTransport]

awesome video!

[@rsconover7957]

Well, at least the colors look good!

[@Band__geek]

Funny how these are working smoother than the SC-44’s. Their career is quite something

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

Trust me, they have their issues.

[@ScottWallace5]

Neat new cars, but I'm gonna miss the bi-level train cars though, those are neat seating up top!

[@allyreneepenny9447]

So beautiful this trains and the Country 👌💯Love this Horn 🔊🔊

[@zeisselgaertner3212]

I'm glad you seem to like this blowing of horns and that permanent bing, bing, bing... Miraculously trains in Europe go without all these noises. Perhaps it's because they run at higher speeds and operate more frequently. So accidents are less likely... .... wait ?! Anyway. 😂

[@ronmclinden8650]

Why are the car numbers so tiny?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Because America can never get anything right... Lol

[@thomasfriedmann8522]

Great video

[@jamesallen8418]

I want to know why Amtrak is integrating the new Siemens units into their fleet but usually with 2 older GE units in line? Do they not trust them? I have traveled on the new cars. They are beautiful with superior transition between the cars. I am disabled, the seats hurt my body. Being a less than 1% of the ridership my vote doesn't count. Right???

[@kylem5358]

What is up with the ugly split windows (every few windows along)? These are not split on the Brightline trains.

[@henrykobulnicky9537]

I sure hope that they start using the new cab cars soon! Haven’t heard much about those.

[@GFSwinger1693]

0:55 Somebody has square wheels.

[@dginia]

Wow! How many locations did you have to scout? Impressive production.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Haha! All over Northern/Central California. I've grown up in the valley so the locations come natural. Glad you enjoyed :)

[@Neville60001]

Good to see Caltrain get these passenger cars.

[@irene1655]

Adore trains!!!!!!!!!

[@onlineconsumer9]

Wow they're shiny 😍

[@timeforbeans]

C&H Sugar....Yep...we use to get so much free sugar from them back in the day. I like that roadside chase too, very nice. 06:55

[@MostHigh777]

I've heard the seats on these cars are very inferior to the older Amtrak cars.

[@thebops4180]

Awesome . . .

[@HarborSubHughley]

Terrific video

[@Seawiz21]

I will always perfer the Superliners and Califronia cars but these are nice for the Valley.

[@uncipaws7643]

When the chargers pull and push these, they won't need their roof spoilers that were built to harmonize better with double deck cars.

[@barryscottNEED]

Might this have been coming through Chittenden on Saturday morning, around 10:30 am, headed toward Pajaro along highway 129?

[@sunnywu2464]

Funny. Future is here. I think most Americans don't know China's HSR at 350 km/h and powered by electricity has already covered the whole country. Edit: And California is still struggling to build one. And Indonesia has already one running at 350 km/h.

[@mtsky-tc6uw]

all trains in the usa are diesel electric

[@pcorf]

1:58 wheel flats meaning the brakes work well.

[@lenojames]

Hmmm, just might have to take a quick day trip to Fresno soon...

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Train 710 and 719 have these cars!

[@WH_Railfan84]

Very Nice!

[@робертманукян-у2х]

Вагоны выглядят очень красиво, только где здесь будущее-то ?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

These are brand new cars, the future of Amtrak California as the bi-level cars are fading out on this route.

[@kenswireart88]

id prefer a detailed video showcasing one futuristic train and a comparison to other older trains than.just whowing different trains drive by.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Good idea! I think I'll do that

[@proudpirate1236]

They need to remove the fairing from the locomotives if they will be running them with the venture cars

[@Lucrativecris]

3:33 so Amtrak got the Caltrain F40s

[@ednorton47]

The seats on these Siemens cars are terrible. Passenger numbers will drop once people experience how uncomfortable they are.

[@amtrakpepsiproduct1605]

What is that horn at 0:37?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

It's all K5LAs

[@amtrakpepsiproduct1605]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 Is it supposed to be a stock-standard SC44 K5la?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

@@amtrakpepsiproduct1605 yessir

[@amtrakpepsiproduct1605]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 maybe it was clogged?

[@pabloguillen5915]

Congratulations on finally getting civilised trains. Now is time to run them in a less scandalous way. Most countries don't use bells and horns, and are just fine.

[@Cmoredebris]

It would cost Californians a lot less if the government in Sacramento would simply hire the Swiss to build and run their railroads. They would also run on time.

[@metroredline]

Looks like someone got multiple shaves and haircuts! Anyone know what kind of horn is on that SC-44?

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

Raised Letter K5LA.

[@vladis33]

Why are American trains so noisy? Do they constantly buzz and the bell rings?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

At (almost) every grade crossing, the horn must be blown and bell must be sounded. Bell must be on approaching stations as well

[@voidjavelin23]

mandated regulation, all rooted because americans were indeed idiots since the early steam traction railways

[@sammy7068]

i hope they have single seating too buit dont look like it some people like to sit alone on a train

[@WilliamCreator57]

They’re very interesting diesels, but they’re not the same as F59PHIs

[@roachtoasties]

We need interior videos.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

In future videos...

[@Perich29]

just like bright line accept the train won't hit 125MPH it only does 79MPH.

[@ronclark9724]

Well the signals are geared for that top speed on most of America's freight tracks, and none of the freight railroads desire to go faster. Believe it or not, the freight, the goods, COMMERCE trumps passengers as far as boosting the economy, whether you like it or not... COMMERCE RULES... If passengers desire to go faster riding Amtrak, Amtrak can build their own railroad tracks on Amtrak's right of way, not on the freight railroads right of way. And when it came to electrifying the Pennsylvania Railroad mainline from Washington DC to New York City, Amtrak's northeast corridor, doing so bankrupted the Pennsylvania Railroad... FACT... 226 miles bankrupted the Pennsylvania Railroad. America has 160 thousand miles of tracks...

[@caltrain119]

0:32 they used a horn from the past amtrak California

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

It's the same locomotives, just different rolling stock

[@subman721]

So they’re going back to single level train cars? Cool so they’ll have 10 car trains again.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

It's the same amount of seating with 6 Venture cars versus the four bi-level coaches plus a cafe. It shouldn't change too mhch

[@TNRailProductions_01]

Flat spots already?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Oh you know it

[@TNRailProductions_01]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 that’s insane 😂

[@coleallen3895]

But where are the cabcars????

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

In final testing... Coming soon

[@Perich29]

7:06 its right there, they took the old Loco and removed the engine and motor out of the compartment and cut and install rolled up door and turn them into baggage / cab car.

[@jahmeregill6243]

@@Perich29i think they mean the Venture cab cars

[@davidjackson7281]

What were some of the problems that the Venture cars had?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Tons of electrical issues. Lead in the water pipes. Flat spots. Wheels on the cats didn't match the guage of the tracks... Goes on and on. Lol

[@davidjackson7281]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 Thanks. Were they built at the Siemens Florin (Sacramento) plant which may build the Pioneer 220 for CAHSR and a 186 mph version for Brightline West?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

@@davidjackson7281 yessir they were build in Florin

[@ronclark9724]

@@CentralValleyRailfan8311 I believe they used lead solder with the pipes, none of the pipes are lead...

[@tonywilliams3728]

Why no pictures of the interior?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Just wanted to show the new trainset running through different parts of the state. I should've included interior, that's my bad. I'll definitely have to put in some clips in future videos!

[@rrrrrrtt1]

C&H pure cane sugar from Hawaii

[@ellissimon8955]

When will the cafe cars enter service?

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

I think those are a ways out... Not highest priority for them at the moment unfortunately

[@CaseyPiszçzor]

Where is are new trains in Dallas tx

[@DIASDEMUSICA]

ok, so this is "the future" according to US standards.....

[@MrMarshmallow26]

Yes we get it. US can't compare to other country's railroad systems. We won't get anywhere if you keep on comparing. The Ventures are a huge step given that the Amfleets are reaching 50 years old, if not already.

[@joshthetrainfan]

These dang cars look cool. I like them, but I don't like their replacing the Comets and the MK bi-levels.

[@Zergcerebrates]

Still no electrification.....

[@sixfifty_sebb]

I don’t think Amtrak is going to become electric anytime soon since they run on freight tracks

[@davefroman4700]

That last car obviously has a flat spotted boggy.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

We love square wheels lol

[@charlesheier277]

Amtrak is color blind ORANGE NOT YELLOW !! 2 bits

[@linesided]

Great train - shame about the ultimately annoying horn

[@johncrest-r6n]

is capitl corridor gonna get any

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

@@johncrest-r6n as of now, no

[@harrygoldun5779]

Wow, Siemens built the cars and the loco's but they couldn't match the external profile of the loco's with the cars. Total garbage. And why oh why are the drivers so trigger happy with those damn horns. Would drive me insane living next to a rail line. Can understand the need to alert the upcoming level crossing, but continuously honking even after passing through is stupid. Why?????

[@evanf1293]

As cool as those new cars look, I'm not that surprised they've been a bit troublesome since being built.

[@TheRailwayDrone]

What are these "ramp" things on the engines?

[@AmtrakFan6905]

I was just thinking the same thing! I think it’s because the engines were initially designed for the bi level cars like the Pacific Surfliner trains. Hopefully they remove them soon for a more streamlined appearance

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Don't hold your breath lol

[@StefanWithTrains3222]

Yes, the "ramp" on the SC-44 chargers in California is for fuel efficiency. This is due to the California cars (the bi-level railcars) being a lot taller than the SC-44.

[@seankaiser2505]

damn that horn on 2104 sounds awful

[@roberthindle5146]

Why are trains in America so noisy?? Regular blaring of horns, insessent clanging of a bell..... I've spent days in the UK on trains without a single pip of the horn.

[@trainrover]

because the messiness from train collisions is zillions of times worse than that ever heralded by them dinky trains puttering around their Isle o' GB there 💡💡💡

[@trainrover]

GB's cleptoparasitic barons are scheming to replace all that Victorian infrastructure thereabouts, why else would they coax weediness onto all that there brickwork..........

[@trainrover]

...unless wholesale demotions into level crossings on a ratio similar to that of the rest of the world actually be those abominable crooks' scheme thereabouts........

[@roberthindle5146]

@@trainrover Their dinky trains run regularly at 120-140 mph (and faster on the high speed line). Suspect it's more down to at-grade railroad crossings in America.

[@trainrover]

@@roberthindle5146 yet my escalations hereafter with their bullseyes on Corporateria's cleptoparasites've already been pulled... 💡 💡 💡

[@DavidUrban-y3c]

I seriously think all American railroads need to go to electric power. NS, BNSF, AMTRAK, etc. And if the CP or the CN doesn't like it. Then, the Canadian railroads can give it back to the US. Just my opinion

[@ronclark9724]

America is a large nation with the most railroad tracks in the world. America is not a TINY nation like France or Germany one can drive across in a single day after dawn and before dusk. While the Northeast corridor has overhead electric, and there are metros with either overhead electric or third rail, the vast majority of the tracks in America are not electrified. America after the Second World War switched from steam to diesel. Unlike Western Europe there is NO shortage of oil and gas in America. Furthermore, California every summer has brown outs as their electric grid is short of power when they turn on their air conditioners...

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@@ronclark9724 in total numbers, yes it has the longest network. In terms of tracks per land area it's somewhere on 40th place or so. "Unlike Western Europe there is NO shortage of oil and gas in America. " guess what. There's no shortage in oil in oil producing countries like Norway either, still most of their rail lines are electrified, with the Northland Line being way behind the game tbh. However the freight rail line built by LKAB in Sweden was electrified more than a century ago, to maximize profit for every single train they send onto the line. "California every summer has brown outs as their electric grid is short of power" so what you mean is that the great USA cannot provide reliable power networks. Neither down south in the heat, nor in the tornado alley, nor in the freezing cold temperatures up north ...

[@Colonel_Blimp]

Have you seriously thought about what your plan would cost?

[@louisletourneau3429]

What is it about CN and CP have to give back what ??😡

[@DavidUrban-y3c]

​ no reason to get mad if CN or CP doesn't want to go to electricity, then give back the railroad routs they have bought out. Just a suggestion

[@johncrest-r6n]

why the hell do they have to have the consist with a F40PH and not just use the charger!? I swear a lot of the Americans trains may have the ugliest train sets in existence.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

@@johncrest-r6n the Charger is used for the power. The F40 is gutted (has no prime mover or HEP) and is used as a cab car

[@hongxie7828]

It is nothing compared to Chinese high speed rail.

[@CentralValleyRailfan8311]

Nowhere near, nor will it ever unfortunately

[@DaMan-jt6dh]

What a joke and a waste of money on garbage single level cars for out west. I like siemens the company especially because they have aome manufacturing up in Sacramento, but i blame caltrains and amtrak California for being cheap and buying trash cars.. wouldve been better off not buying anythinf at all. Its not loke they will ever expand service. Capitol Corrider should be running to reno, and i shouldnt have to transfer on to a bus to get from stockton to Sacramento. Government is incompetent and should stay out of transportation entirely amtrak should be abolished, the Government and the ICC is solely responsible for why both passengers and freight railroads are poor service and quality, its because they let them all consolidate to the point the have no competition and no we are stuck with duopolys owned by shareholders who use the railroads only for themselves and their companies. And people wonder why everything has gotten so expensive.

[@ariesarethebest271]

I wish our rail cars were still made by Budd, Pullman. Trains now look European....

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

Me too. It is a travesty that we have to buy everything from Stadler, Siemens, and Alstom now because all of our manufacturers are gone.

[@williacena]

Well isn’t it better?