Passenger Trains > First Caltrain Kiss double-deck EMU completed

First Caltrain Kiss double-deck EMU completed
International Railway Journal
Jul 30, 2020
Written by
David Burroughs 


STADLER has completed assembly of the first seven-car Kiss double-deck EMUs for Californian commuter rail operator Caltrain at its facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the train now undergoing tests at up to 32km/h on a 1km test track


https://www.railjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Stadler-Caltrain-KISS-EMU-testing.jpg  


The tests will ensure the amenities including air-conditioning, lighting and Wi-Fi are functional, as well as checking ride quality, noise and vibration. The train will then head to the Federal Railroad Administration’s test track in Pueblo, Colorado, to undergo testing at operational and maximum speeds.During this period, one of the seven-car trains will be sent to Elmira, New York, to undergo testing in a climate room to ensure it can operate properly under a range of environmental conditions.

https://www.railjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Stadler-Caltrain-KISS-EMU-testing-2.jpg


The EMUs will provide a quieter ride than Caltrain’s existing diesel fleet, and the improved suspension will also provide a smoother journey.

Caltrain awarded Stadler a $US 551m contract in August 2016 to supply 16 six-car Kiss double-deck EMUs, with an option for another 96 cars worth an additional $US 385m.

Each train has a maximum speed of 177km/h and features bogies with built-in air-suspension to reduce vibrations and noise emissions.

In December 2018, Caltrain exercised an option to extend the trains from six to seven cars, and ordered another three seven-car trains, as part of the San Francisco – San Jose electrification project.



Edited 9 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/20 00:55 by GenePoon.

Ugly

Posted from Android

It appears to be more use of side sheet metal vs. windows.  Maybe that is for increased crash strength?
The front cap just looks like an elongated version of their single level model.  That doesn't look as good to me.

FWIW. Larger images give you a better idea of the look.

https://calmod.org/gallery/electric-trains-images/?envira-tag=manufacturing

Great progress for Caltrain!

goduckies Wrote:
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> Ugly

Not really.  It could have been a lot worse.  Love the cross-section picture.  

Something different!! The horror!!!!

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

It's simply the US version of their KISS EMU
https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/stadler-kiss-double-decker-trains/

From the thread title, I thought one of the trainsets was going to be sponsored by the rock group KISS, like the short-lived arena football team in Anaheim, CA.

PasadenaSub Wrote:
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> From the thread title, I thought one of the
> trainsets was going to be sponsored by the rock
> group KISS, like the short-lived arena football
> team in Anaheim, CA.

Alas, KISS does not stand for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." It stands for "komfortabler innovativer spurtstarker S-Bahn-Zug." or "comfortable, innovative, sprint capable, suburban train."

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/20 12:47 by Dcmcrider.

Prefer the f40's and 800 million in the bank

Posted from Android

The two versions are not the same!

Although this PDF was made a while ago when there were only six cars per train set, it does provide some interesting details on the CALTRAIN variant. 

https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/kcal0716us.pdf

 

Only one car with powered axles?

Oliver Barrett

ShoreLineRoute Wrote:
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> Only one car with powered axles?
>
> Oliver Barrett

Not sure where you get that, but the way I read the PDF I see 12 of 24 (on a 6 car train) are powered.

Euro-UGLY!  Totally agree with the first poster.  Where's the sense of style.

-John

jcaestecker Wrote:
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> Euro-UGLY!  Totally agree with the first
> poster.  Where's the sense of style.
>
> -John

Cost to build and maintain trumps style.

When ever these cars do get put in service.

Will Caltrain retire the existing Fleet of Bi-Levels and Units?

Jerry Martin
Los Angeles, CA
Central Coast Railroad Festival

GP25 Wrote:
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> When ever these cars do get put in service.
>
> Will Caltrain retire the existing Fleet of
> Bi-Levels and Units?

If memory serves, Caltrain plans to keep the MP36 locomotives and the Bombardier passanger cars for the Gilroy service (and maybe some other uses?)

Not sure if they are keeping any other equipment, e.g. the newer F40's (#920-922 -- built 1998) and newer gallery cars (built 2000)

If you are interested, the caltrain roster is located at https://www.caltrain.com/about/statsandreports/commutefleets.html

Isn't an extension from Gilroy to Salinas also in the works??