Apology For Tuesday's Delay

Dear Caltrain Patrons,

We apologize for the delays passengers aboard trains 172 and 270 experienced Tuesday afternoon.

The delays were caused by a significant mechanical failure on the locomotive pulling train 270. The mechanical problems resulted from a broken valve in the engine’s cylinder head, a problem so rare Caltrain staff can’t recall a similar incident in the last five years.

As a result, passengers on train 270 boarded train 172 and the two trains were joined for the trip to San Jose. Dispatch instructed the trains to wait on a siding in Redwood City before they were cleared to head south.

Caltrain dispatchers were working furiously to prevent the original malfunction from affecting passengers system wide. A Baby Bullet train was allowed to proceed ahead of the waiting train and another train passed train 172 to allow it to deboard passengers at Mountain View and express to San Jose so that they would not impede trains 270 and 172 once they got underway.

Caltrain does everything possible to keep its trains operating on time. When unexpected mechanical problems do occur our goal is to get our passengers moving as fast as we can without causing a domino effect throughout the system.

Caltrain apologizes for the inconvenience Tuesday’s locomotive malfunction caused and we appreciate your patience.

10/13/04