Staying on Track for the Future: Caltrain Construction Continues

Fast forward 20 years into the future, Caltrain commuters are waiting on platforms for sleek low-floor trains to arrive. A high speed train from Southern California passes on its way to San Francisco, the predictive arrival system indicates that a Baby Bullet express is expected momentarily and Caltrain news plays across the visual messaging systems mounted on the platforms.

This is just part of Caltrain's vision for the future of its rail system. Fifty years ago, a cross-platform link with the BART system hadn't even been envisioned and trains were still switched between tracks by hand. But fifty years ago, computers filled entire rooms and no one even considered trying to fit a phone in their pocket to stay in touch while they were away from home. Today we are rapidly modernizing the Caltrain corridor to meet 21st century demand.

Caltrain's CTX construction project represents the first phase of a new Caltrain system that includes passing tracks, station upgrades, centralized traffic control and an intermodal station in Millbrae that seamlessly connects Caltrain with the BART system. The world is changing and Caltrain is changing with it.

"Society has changed. Most homes depend on two incomes, which means two people commuting to work. Work schedules are changing and the core job center is no longer in San Francisco, in fact there are many places of industry throughout the Bay Area," said Chuck Harvey, chief operating officer for Caltrain.

"That means the Caltrain service must be flexible, frequent and dependable. We've come a long way in improving this service but we can't stop now, " Harvey added.

Laying the Track Work for Tomorrow

Caltrain is laying the groundwork for the Baby Bullet express service with more than eight miles of new track currently being installed in key locations between San Francisco and Bayshore, in Redwood City and in Sunnyvale. Slower-moving local trains will run on these tracks while Baby Bullet express trains pass them on the main tracks.

Some wood, but primarily concrete ties are replacing aging ties, some that have been in the ground for nearly one hundred years. Caltrain work crews also are replacing older jointed rail with continuous welded rail all along the corridor. These basic improvements to the existing track will make for a smoother, quieter ride on Caltrain.

In addition, Caltrain is installing a remote signal system, known as CTC, which allows dispatchers to control train operations remotely. This allows trains greater operating flexibility and prevents delays that arise when trains must slow down or stop before switching between one track and another. This is key to the operation of a new express service because more switching will be required for the local trains as they move to the new tracks to make way for the Baby Bullets.

More to Come

The build-out will continue as Caltrain adds third and fourth tracks in other key areas along the right of way creating four continuous tracks between San Francisco and San Jose over the next two decades. Caltrain has already received the seed money to begin developing predictive arrival technology at each of it's train stations and is installing visual messaging boards at another 10 stations in the next year. With the advent of electrification, Caltrain will further improve its operating efficiency, increasing the number of trains and operating quieter, environmentally sensitive trains at higher speeds.

The November 2004 ballot will mark a milestone in the development of High Speed Rail in California. If voters approve funding for the HSR project, not only will Caltrain passengers have access to these trains but Peninsula residents also will benefit through money earmarked for improvements to the Caltrain corridor in the HSR bill.

By 2010, Caltrain will have seen more change than it has in its entire 140 years of service. CTX work in San Francisco and Millbrae is nearly complete, two miles of new track can be seen by passengers on trains passing through the Bayshore station, and BART and Caltrain are preparing to begin passenger service to the new Millbrae Intermodal Station.

The work isn't done yet, but Caltrain is staying on track for the future.