Passenger Trains > CalTrain electrification milestone

Spotted this a few places, but hadn't seen anything here.  CalTrain has fully energized the electrical system & catenary between San Francisco and San Jose.  Hopefully things stay on track for the EMUs to start carrying passengers this fall.

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/caltrain-fully-energizes-electrified-corridor/

https://railway-news.com/caltrain-celebrates-electrification-of-51-mile-corridor/

https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Caltrain-fully-energizes-tests-electrified-rail-corridor--71667

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/commuterregional/caltrain-ocs-fully-energized/

I was riding the Caltrain F40’s last week and they were testing those new electric units during the afternoon.

Posted from iPhone

Have they / will they use the AEM7s at all?

The unpainted one looks like it’s being stripped of parts

Posted from iPhone

filmteknik Wrote:
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> Have they / will they use the AEM7s at all?

I don't know if those have ever gotten out of the shops - haven't seen anything here about it.  The EMUs arrived before electrification was completed, which wasn't the plan if I remember right.  The AEM7s were to test the electrification until the EMUs showed up, I think.

Nathan

atsf121 Wrote:
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> filmteknik Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Have they / will they use the AEM7s at all?
>
> I don't know if those have ever gotten out of the
> shops - haven't seen anything here about it.  The
> EMUs arrived before electrification was completed,
> which wasn't the plan if I remember right.  The
> AEM7s were to test the electrification until the
> EMUs showed up, I think.
>
> Nathan


Imagine they could be used for work trains. But they’re going to need to keep a few diesels for those ‘Loma Prieta’ type days (25 hours of no electricity).

Plus, diesels are necessary to power the scheduled commute trains to Morgan Hill and Gilroy, where the ROW is not electrified.

Hakk

They're keeping the two MP15s for switching/MOW work and the six MP36s for the Gilroy service.

chakk Wrote:
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> Plus, diesels are necessary to power the scheduled
> commute trains to Morgan Hill and Gilroy, where
> the ROW is not electrified.
>
> Hakk

And there are plans to extend service to south to Salinas (can't wait!!!).....which requires diesels.

If all goes well, electric railway fans who are in The City for Muni Heritage weekend on Sept. 21-22 will be able to ride the new Caltrain electric service.