The Stork Delivers Caltrain's New Baby

Caltrain is throwing a shower for the newest addition to its locomotive family, the Baby Bullet engine, on Friday, April 4. The event, which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Burlingame Caltrain Station, also will include a christening of the F-40 Motive Power locomotive by State Senator Jackie Speier.

Caltrain purchased the new locomotives and Baby Bullet passenger cars, which began arriving last summer, to accommodate the Baby Bullet express service planned to begin within the next 12 months.

Speier will join Caltrain Board Chair John McLemore, San Mateo County Supervisor and Caltrain Director Mike Nevin and Burlingame Mayor Mike Coffey for brief speeches and a train ride departing from the downtown Burlingame station.

The first of six, $2.2 million Motive Power engines has just arrived on the Peninsula and will begin acceptance testing, a process designed to ensure that the equipment has been manufactured in accordance with Caltrain's specifications.

"Caltrain is in the process of bringing this railroad into the 21st century. That means an upgrade to everything from tracks to equipment," said Mike Scanlon, executive director for Caltrain. "Caltrain's new equipment looks and feels different, representing a new era in Peninsula rail service."

The lean aerodynamic design is meant to set the new locomotives apart from the rest of Caltrain's fleet. With 3600 horsepower and increased electrical capacity, the engines are able to heat, light and pull longer trains without losing speed. The engine can reach up to 82 miles per hour, which is more speed than Caltrain will require of its equipment. The rail corridor currently has a maximum authorized speed of 79 miles per hour.

At 293,500 pounds, this is probably the biggest baby the stork's ever delivered. The engine also measures 70 feet long, nearly 11 feet wide, with a rail to roof height of 15 feet, 11 inches.

The event will begin with entertainment, speeches and a champagne christening of the new locomotive and will conclude with a round-trip ride between Burlingame and Redwood City.