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Electrification
In 1998, the Caltrain board resolved to make the electrification
of the railway between San Francisco and San Jose
a priority project. Since then, design and engineering work
has steadily progressed, and the $471 million project is
scheduled to begin construction in 2009 and be complete
by 2014.
Among the benefits of the new system will be a faster, more
efficient and more environmentally friendly rail system,
compared to Caltrain’s current diesel-powered locomotives.
Electric trains can accelerate and decelerate faster than diesel
trains, providing a savings of approximately 13 percent in travel
time between San Francisco and San Jose. Faster travel times
are anticipated to further stimulate ridership, which would,
in turn, reduce congestion on Bay Area freeways.
Electric trains provide a variety of quality of life benefits to
the region as well. With virtually no engine noise, electric
powered trains are significantly quieter than current locomotives,
which will provide a great benefit to neighbors who reside along
the rail corridor. Additionally, electric locomotives will reduce air
pollutant emissions from trains by up to 90 percent, and save
Caltrain nearly $3 million in fuel costs annually, at today’s fuel prices.
Electrification of the system will allow for a capacity of up to 172
trains at peak five-minute headways, and with the capability to
adjust for 125 mph if high-speed rail service comes up the Peninsula.
Electric Rolling Stock
Caltrain will have to replace some or part of its train sets, or
rolling stock, when it implements electric service, and it has
several options when it comes to the equipment it can use. The
simplest option is to keep the same passenger cars it currently
uses and replace only the diesel locomotives with electric
locomotives. Another option is to replace all of its rolling stock
with Electric Multiple Units. Unlike traditional trains that are
pulled by a locomotive, EMUs are rail cars that are individually
powered, similar to some light rail systems. Because EMUs
each have a motor, they accelerate and decelerate faster
than locomotive-driven trains.
As it can take five years or longer to produce a fleet of
rail cars, within the next year Caltrain must determine
which type of train sets it will use.
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