Caltrain Electrification: Powering the Future

Reason for Project:
Electrifying Caltrain will result in a faster, more efficient and more environmentally friendly rail system, than current diesel powered trains. Electric trains can accelerate and decelerate faster than diesel trains, which are anticipated to provide a savings of 13 percent in travel time between San Francisco and San Jose. As Caltrain has decreased travel time through operational improvements, ridership has grown and is anticipated to continue to grow with additional time savings. Greater ridership would reduce congestion on Bay Area freeways, decrease auto emissions and reduce the demand for parking space in local cities.

Another benefit is that electric powered trains are significantly quieter, which will benefit neighbors residing along the corridor. Additionally, the switch to electric locomotives will reduce air pollutant emissions from trains by up to 90 percent, and decrease power consumption significantly.

Scope of Work:
This project requires the installation of two tractionpower substations and eight auto-transformer stations, with capacity for 172 trains at peak fiveminute headways. Work will occur along the length of the rail corridor to string wires for the overhead contact system, which will provide power to trains at up to 90 mph, with the capability to support state voter-approved high speed rail.

During the same timeframe, electric locomotives or electric multiple unit trainsets will be purchased and brought into revenue service, as part of this project.

Project Limits:
52-mile rail corridor from San Francisco to San Jose

Estimated Cost:
$608 million for electrification infrastructure

Timeline:
Mid-2009: Federal Transit Administration signoff on updated Environmental Analysis/ Environmental Impact Report
Mid-2009: Agreements with utility supply
2009-2010: Design phase
2011-2014: Construction:
2015: Revenue service

Caltrain by the Numbers:
Passengers: 11.9 million annually
Trains: 98 weekday, 32 Saturday, 28 Sunday
Stations: 32
Track miles: 50 mainline and an additional 27 commute-hour only
Terminals: San Francisco, San Jose, Gilroy

Download:
Factsheet (PDF, 141KB)

3/17/09 - rph