Caltrain

Caltrain
source
Name	Caltrain
Caption	Rendering of a future electric multiple unit
Type	Commuter rail
Locale	San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Clara Valley
Start	San Francisco
End	Tamien / Gilroy
Stations	32
Daily ridership	35,900 (weekday, Q4 2023)
Open	1863 (as San Francisco and San Jose Railroad)
Owner	Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
Operator	Herzog Transit Services
Character	At-grade, elevated, in trench
Stock	MPI MP36PH-3C locomotives,, Stadler GTW diesel multiple units,, Nippon Sharyo commuter rail cars
Linelength	77 mi
Tracks	1–4
Gauge	ussg
El	Overhead line (under construction)
Speed	79 mph (max)

Caltrain. It is a commuter rail service operating along the San Francisco Peninsula and into the Santa Clara Valley. The service is governed by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board and operated under contract by Herzog Transit Services. Its primary route connects San Francisco with San Jose, with some trains continuing to Gilroy.

History

The railroad line was originally constructed in 1863 as the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, a key early transport link in California. The Southern Pacific Railroad later acquired and operated the passenger service for over a century. Following declining ridership, the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, subsidized and assumed management in 1980, rebranding it. In 1992, ownership was transferred to the newly formed Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, a consortium including the San Francisco MTA, SamTrans, and the VTA. This transition marked the beginning of modern operations with increased service frequency and infrastructure investments.

Service

The system operates 32 stations across San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties. Weekday service includes local and limited-stop "Baby Bullet" trains, which offer express trips between major hubs like 4th and King Street and San Jose Diridon. Key transfer points connect riders to other regional systems, including BART at Millbrae and San Francisco International Airport, and ACE and Capitol Corridor services at Diridon. Special event service is provided for games at Oracle Park and Stanford Stadium.

Rolling stock

The current fleet consists primarily of diesel locomotive-hauled push-pull coaches. The primary locomotives are MPI MP36PH-3C models, which pull a fleet of double-deck commuter rail cars built by Nippon Sharyo. To supplement capacity and provide more efficient off-peak service, the agency also operates a small fleet of Stadler GTW diesel multiple units. This mixed fleet operates on the standard-gauge tracks of the Peninsula Subdivision, which is owned by the joint powers board.

Electrification project

A major capital program is underway to convert the core segment from San Francisco to San Jose from diesel to electric propulsion using overhead lines. This project, one of the largest in the agency's history, is funded by a combination of local, state, and federal sources, including contributions from the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The switch to electric multiple units, manufactured by Stadler Rail, is designed to reduce emissions, decrease trip times through improved acceleration, and increase service capacity. The infrastructure work includes upgrades to signaling, grade crossings, and track along the corridor.

Future developments

Long-term plans are closely integrated with the development of California High-Speed Rail, which is planned to share the modernized corridor. A significant project is the extension of service into the new Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco via the Downtown Rail Extension. Other initiatives focus on increasing frequency to create a more metro-like service, implementing advanced positive train control systems, and improving station accessibility. Coordination with other transit agencies like the VTA and SamTrans is central to regional connectivity goals. Category:Commuter rail in California Category:Railway lines opened in 1863 Category:Transportation in San Mateo County, California Category:Transportation in Santa Clara County, California