Passenger Trains > Metrolink cars being phased in on regular Caltrains runs.

Grab shots while going to work at AT&T showing the 4:47 train leraving Fourth and Townsend on Wednesday. I Phone Photos by Mike Pechner 

---

---

Yeah, that faded Periwinkle Blue kinda stands out!

Thanks for the commuter rail shots.  For those of us not in the know, are CalTrain and MetroLink neighboring systems? Both State run?  How died one system's cars
come to run on the other?  Fortunately, same manufacturer on both or you'd have confusion on the platform regarding different door placement.
Thanks,
Frank30  (Boston)

Boobadier is the maufacturer of both and the rail systems are publically owned, Metrolink in Sou. calif. and Caltrrains (Runs SF to Gilroy).  

Frank30 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the commuter rail shots.  For those of
> us not in the know, are CalTrain and MetroLink
> neighboring systems? Both State run?  How died
> one system's cars
> come to run on the other?  Fortunately, same
> manufacturer on both or you'd have confusion on
> the platform regarding different door placement.
> Thanks,
> Frank30  (Boston)

Metrolink recently sold 16 of their cars to CalTrain.

Metrolink runs in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Caltrain runs in the San Francisco metropolitan area. They come about 400 miles away from touching. However, Metrolink recently gave several of its Bombardier coaches to Caltrain to cope with booming demand.

Tor in Eugene

Torisgod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Metrolink runs in the Los Angeles metropolitan
> area, Caltrain runs in the San Francisco
> metropolitan area. They come about 400 miles away
> from touching. However, Metrolink recently gave
> several of its Bombardier coaches to Caltrain to
> cope with booming demand.
>
> Tor in Eugene

How much did Caltrain have to pay for Metrolink coaches?  Makes me wonder if there would be a business for leasing cars to commuter agencies.

Nathan

This is great news, to see longer CALTRAINs.  What they really need is 8 cars on the busiest runs, though.  

atsf121 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> How much did Caltrain have to pay for Metrolink
> coaches?  Makes me wonder if there would be a
> business for leasing cars to commuter agencies.
>
> Nathan

Nathan,

CalTrain stated that the cost of purchasing and refurbishing the 16 cars was $15 million.

http://www.caltrain.com/about/news/Caltrain_To_Purchase_Additional_Rail_Cars.html

Bob

Brings back memories from about 35 years ago when San Francisco Muni's diesel bus fleet was falling apart, and they had to rent a batch of "old look" (1950s vintage) "Jimmies" from the Southern Calif. Rapid Transit District.  Some of these relics were even third-hand, being originally from Kansas City and Atlanta.