Caltrain to Swap Train Sets This Month for More Capacity and Maintenance

Editor's Note: Correction in red below.

On Monday, July 25, Caltrain will be replacing some five-car Gallery train sets with six-car Bombardier train sets.

Instead of five-car Gallery cars carrying passengers on train numbers 134, 155, 217, and 268, those loads are now being taken by six-car Bombardier trains. Train numbers 155 and 217 travel in the northbound direction, with 217 originating in Gilroy. Train numbers 134 and 268 travel in the southbound direction, with 268 providing service to Gilroy.

The train-swap will allow Caltrain to take more passengers on those trips, as carrying capacity will increase with the extra Bombardier car. These trains were chosen as they regularly experience overcrowded conditions.

The number of bikes will stay about the same, as the Bombardier trains will feature three bike cars, capable of carrying 72 two-wheelers. The Gallery alignment allowed Caltrain to carry 80 bikes.

Most importantly, the adjustment will provide Caltrain’s maintenance crews with more time to service and repair the Gallery train cars, which are older than the Bombardier trains. By taking those train cars out of the regular rotation, Caltrain can take the necessary mechanical measures to ensure that those Gallery cars remain reliable and safe for the riding public.

The Gallery cars are the “more-traditional” trains on the Caltrain system, featuring two passenger levels and a box design. The Bombardier trains have a sleeker look to them, and contain three different passenger seating levels. The Bombardier trains also feature table seating on the top level.

Information about the Caltrain schedule can be found at https://www.caltrain.com/schedules.

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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with limited commute service to Gilroy. Caltrain has enjoyed five years of consecutive monthly ridership increases, surpassing more than 60,000 average weekday riders earlier this year. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations. 

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