A Message for Caltrain Patrons

December 17, 2002

Dear Caltrain patron,

As you are probably aware, Caltrain experienced significant delays on Monday initially resulting from a mechanical problem on Train 75. While Caltrain hasn't had any major mechanical problems in quite awhile, it doesn't lessen the impact it had on you.

Typically, when an engine fails the train is coupled with a train behind it and pushed into its terminal station for maintenance work. Unfortunately, both Trains 75 and 77 experienced mechanical problems delaying them by more than an hour.

Northbound Trains 79 and 81 were also impacted because they couldn't get around the trains stuck at the California Avenue station in Palo Alto.

Southbound Trains 84, 86 and 88 were delayed because the equipment on the earlier northbound trains is used for these schedules.

To help prevent similar delays in the future, Caltrain is installing a centralized traffic control system as part of the CTX projects. CTC will allow dispatchers to operate trains in both directions, seamlessly switching tracks to avoid area obstructions.

Thank you for riding Caltrain. We apologize for the inconvenience.