Absolute DISGRACE on the MBTA’s part. There really needs to be a large-scale advocacy movement to OPPOSE battery trains in favor of PROVEN full catenary electrification! The MBTA should be ASHAMED of themselves!
Sorry all the other transit tubers, this is by far the best and most comprehensive electric Caltrain review. And it’s not even close! Great job on the review LSTR!
same, I thought this would be a bad video since I had seen many others with more views and subscribers, and those were mid, but this one was BY FAR the best video I have seen so far. I'm shocked it doesn't have any more views!
I work for VTA as a light rail operator and I've been stationed in Germany in my youth. These trains have a very European feel inside and out. I've seen them fly by coming into Mountain View and watched them take off, they're FAST!
@@rmorzy75 Unfortunately, Metra might be the least probable to electrify because all of their trains run on freight lines, most or some lines on Metrolink, Frontrunner, and MBTA are owned by themeselves
@@lalakerspro americas subways were modern 20 years ago. I'd like to direct your attention to japanese rail, the ICE, the öbb railjet, any european tram system, gotthard base tunnel, the swiss' tact timing system of interlinked services and lines. I'm not trying to bash americas public transport but showing that it can be improved (europe's also isn't perfect). how it should be improved, is for city planners to figure out. divert some billions of the trillions going to the army and remember that america was literally built on trains. that should be reason enough to wanting to be at the forefront of public transport. :)
I'd like to see Stadler build EMU's specifically for the Amtrak Northeast Corridor service. An upgraded Stadler FLIRT with PTC protection could theoretically accelerate well over 100 mph quickly on many Corridor sections and could substantially cut travel time on Regional service.
SEPTA and NJT already use electric MU cars as well as electric engines hauled bi level coaches on the northeast lines as well as on other lines. SEPTA in the Philadelphia area only uses electric powered trains. NJT has a combination of electrified and diesel lines on the old Erie Lackawanna lines as well as some all diesel hauled lines. Just as mentioned in other posts both agencies receive minimal state support for capital improvements so additional electrification will most likely not happen.
That is a Federal Horn used on Siemens S700 cars and Desiro VT642 trains used in San Diego Trolley and NCTD' Sprinter. The bells are probably the Nathan Bells though.
I just subscribed to your channel. I have been watching your rail videos for quite some time and find that it’s obvious you really do your research. You also basically tell it like it is in regards to both the good and the bad, without having the entire video lean in any one direction. I like that! Thanks! 😉
Very impressive. Down here in Sydney Australia we use double decker trains like these for our suburban services and they are really popular. A very good direction for California to go, I think!
Good to see proper trains are being introduced throughout America. You don’t need a big engine car which takes away from the extra seats these newer trains provide
We have had electrics and we have EMUs it's just not wide spread. Some SEPTA lines run them still. They are/were more expensive to run the diesel for the longest time.
If Caltrain wanted to, they could get ACS-64s and/or AL45DP for electric Baby Bullet services to san jose limited service to south of San Jose. Caltrain can be similar to SEPTA, Regional Rail that keeps In this case, gallery and Bombardier double deckers cars on peak times
I rode a CalTrain gallery car few months ago and those things rode rough, so I doubt they wanna keep those. Plus those things as well as the F40s were just about to go bye bye. However, their Bombardier cars run so smooth. I think CalTrain should buy dual power mode locomotives and refurbish their Bombardier cars, thus buy CEM cab cars (for up to date safety standards) in case they need through services from San Francisco to Gilroy without people switching trains at San Jose
also between sf and SJ will only be EMU's or battery trains. running old locomotives between sj and is not what they want. They arent gonna run dual mode between sj and sf. There will be no direct trains between sf and gilroy
Haven't commented in a while, but thanks for reviewing the new Caltrain Stadler rolling stock, it's really a great step in the right direction. Many transit fans oppose the trains for some reason, not wanting to depart from diesel, which I find so bizarre. These look awesome! How could you not want them!? Also much better for the environment, your health, efficiency, etc...
Thats awesome you got to experience Caltrain electrics they really should have a new name for the services. I wish where i am from Tri-rail or better yet Brightline looks into electrification. I was there like a decade ago and there were just talks of Electrification, no overhead wires or anything of that besides the baby bullets and rode on the old school nippion shiryo gallery cars. My first time in service. Found the experience great and love its frequency. I hope Metrolink looks into electrification and they should because CAHSR is coming there to Anaheim.
Yeah CAHSR’s LA-Anaheim segment will be shared with Metrolink and Amtrak trains (and even BNSF to a small extent), so for that to go electric could hopefully encourage Metrolink to go electric too. If they did, they could also share CAHSR’s tracks to Burbank Airport, or at least Downtown Burbank. There are several Metrolink lines that could and should go electric. The SB Line is probably the strongest candidate, being entirely owned by two of the agencies that help make up SCRRA who own Metrolink, has little if any freight traffic, and is the busiest in their system. Other candidates would be the OC Line to at least Laguna Niguel, if not all the way to Oceanside and down to San Diego, the AV Line to at least Santa Clarita if not to Palmdale/Lancaster, and the VC Line to Moorpark.
Good move Caltrain and a great report! However as a Sydney Australian I have to say, "The 1970s is NOW!"😉 We've had quiet and comfortable bi-level local and regional EMUs for more than 50 years. No WiFi though🤔😂
@@maas1208 They could be modified like the ones in Europe with the curved roof. The dimensions for this train aren't that disparate from the rail cars they have now.
Huh? NJT has on order Alstom multilevel EMUs and have been running EMUs into Penn for nearly a century. Alstom (and Bombardier before it) just sucks at delivery and has been dragging their feet.
If Stadler KISSes are the future, then the future was back in 2008 😉 Interesting format for your video. Start in San Jose. Trains are great except for power sockets, door chime, and toilet situation. Little spiel at the end about how these trains are actually the present and standard around the world. Then get off at Millbrae to watch the train accelerate. Must be a successful formula…
@Thom-TRA dude that’s literally how the trains are. I can’t change the facts. Plus that’s how they were described by the public information officer I was working with.
The upright seat backs are terrible, but I guess they wanted to squeeze in as many seats as possible. Compared to the diesel trains, the smooth, quiet and faster acceleration of the electric trains makes the ride much more relaxing, giving the illusion that the trip is shorter than the diesel trains where the ride is loud, rough and slow in comparison.
Having only one restroom on a train this long could be a major issue for men over 55 who, when that sudden urge comes, just gotta go NOW! If you are over 55 you know exactly what I am talking about. And not having signs to point the way to the one car with the restroom seems like a deficiency. Perhaps there should be some kind of image on the window, like the bicycle car has. But my complaint is about the train. The video itself was excellent, as always!
The door chime isn't for you. It's for people who are visually impaired, in the same way the lights aren't for you, they are for people who are hearing impaired. It just happens that both things give us extra information to navigate safely on and off the train.
Unfortunately, Go went with the slower locomotive driven option and they’re only electrifying a few select routes. So you went see these exact trains or any type of modern EMU.
Alstom controls the new fleet for GO transit so they'll almost certainly choose Alstom trains rather than Stadler. They will initially run electric locomotives with the existing BiLevel coaches but they are considering also using EMUs further in the future
@interceptor7905 sure, the battery production produces waste and emissions. But teslas are mass produced on a massive scale, compared to a couple of trains used by transit agencies.
The chimes are probably loud so that people with hearing disabilities or problems can hear them. People with disabilities usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to these kind of things.
@BiggLee1012 people with hearing issues can see the lights when the door opens. Making things for people with disabilities shouldn't mean everyone else gets the short end of the stick
No why it's perceived as so loud is because it's a single tone in a somewhat high range. (And that's also the reason why high speed trains use high pitched train horns, it'll pierce through more ambient sounds)
@@MrAronymous Thanks for explaining why it’s sounds loud. I figured it was there for some reason not just to annoy people. I just didn’t know what it was.
First question: Where did you get the fottage of the cabs? Is there maybe another video in the making? ;-) And about the EMUs in general. They are a huge step in the US. No offense, but you are kinda stuck in the 1970s when it comes to rolling stock... In western europe rail fans kinda get annoyed by the flood of EMUs. They are killing all the loco hauled trains and it is kinda boring. Freight trains are kinda more interesting those days...
AT least our rolling stock is reliable. So many european trains in the US have had issues breaking down, while american locomotives havent really had those issues
California is not the first to have a fully electric rail line, Philly has had electric rail lines for nearly a century and other computer lines are now starting to play catch-up
Single bathroom is also regrettable for redundancy reasons. It's just way too common for them to break down. I europe the minimum is two bathrooms for that reason.
I love the design and the move forward towards zero emissions and 100% electrification. However, a part of me will miss the Diesel era of locos that I grew up with. Their loud noise and diesel burning smell as they rushed by is a fond memory engraved in the back of my mind of my childhood
*GROW UP!* YOU'RE still masterreabaeting over the the steamers and "their OOOHHHHH SOOOOO COOOOOLLLL LINKAGES THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE".......* *GROW UP!* *IT'S 2024 NOT 1924...........*
Awesome video my friend, I love CalTrain of San Francisco commuter rail, also this long overdue and momentous occasion for CalTrain and new fleet of its high speed rail. 😊🚊
8:21 Stadler sells a lot of trains in Europe. So I’m wondering why they didn‘t choose the European doorsounds which are mandatory and regulated by the EU. They alternate between sounds, are 70 decibels loud and while not being completely pleasant, they are much better then what Caltrain now has…
I did a tour with CalTrain’s public information officer! I filmed the whole thing and will upload it as a separate video, but that won’t be until after the official launch day, as I’m out on a work trip.
I really hope they stick with those youth fares. A number of times where taking Caltrain with my kid somewhere was an option it very quickly lost out to the cost of multiple people not making it price competitive with driving.
@@lalakerspro where do you think the blueprints (and actually parts) came from? xD The only reason it's build (or more assembled) in the US is because it has to be made in the US according to US law. The train is still European like the company. So yes, it actually is a gift from us Europeans.
Caltrain has electrified. It’s time for the Class 1 Freight companies to start Taking NOTES. Electrification is what is needed. Bring back the Boxcab design of locomotives.
I think while the time reduced is welcome, due to a number of grade crossings (for now) the stop speed is still limited to 79 mph. But that also means the _Baby Bullet_ service is going to be a lot faster, too.
1881: Siemens presents overhead catenary as a technological innovation in Paris 2024: Caltrain presents overhead catenary as a technological innovation in the US But jokes aside, this is the right way
Lol, you do realize that the Bay Area has had electric rail since the 19th century, right? BART, which is of course electric itself, replaced a sprawling network of electric interurbans in 1972. Fun fact: The modern pantograph for electric trains was invented in 1903 by John Q. Brown, an engineer working the Key System in the East Bay/Oakland. So guess who Siemens has been paying patent royalties for the pantographs that they used all these years. BART replaced the Key System and the other Bay Area electric interurbans systems as the main interurban commuter rail system region. So much for your failed attempt at Eurosupremacy 🤣🤣🤣
NJT and Metro North in the North East has been using this stuff for nearly a century now. Thats ofc not counting the LIRR with its 3rd rail electrified EMUs. This is squarely on California and other governments dragging their feet and not copying successful commuter rail projects within the US, much less abroad.
@@TohaBgood2 As a railway engineer I am aware of them. However, including this much information in the joke rather seemed like something an architect would do to ruin it entirely.
Great concept but anyone here in California should know of the electric shortage. Especially in the summer time when everyone is running their air conditioner and utility companies have to implement rolling black outs due to not enough electricity to go around. Don't seem smart on the states' part when they implemented no gas powered water heaters or appliances in new built homes. Seems like they would have done a better job figuring out the electricity part first. Its like putting the horse behind the carriage. It doesn't make sense. Then again, half the things the governor does already doesn't make sense. Just saying....😌
There is no need to modify the South Shore or METRA electric powered lines. Both have relatively new electric powered MU cars that are capable of running at high speeds if the stations are far enough apart. Otherwise they still have good acceleration between local stops on both lines where the stations are closer spaced.
@@californiamade5608 Most rail cars run for at least 20 to 30 years before they are considered to be replaced. If money is not available they are kept on line even longer even if it would be better to replace them. Just because there is something newer that may be better does not mean you need to buy it unless it saves big money in operating or maintenance cost.
These trains would feel right at home on GO transit's electrification expansion - although unlike Boston, battery-electric mode might be necessary for non-electrified sections to Niagara falls and Kitchener (only the Lakeshore East and Barrie lines will be fully electrified from Union station)
Unfortunately the plan is to keep the current cars with electric locomotives so no EMU's.The study they did showed that EMU's will cost 40% more than electric locomotives and they could not see any offsetting benefits.
Sleek and modern they are! Not a fan of the horn or bell though! There’s one thing America beats Europe when it comes to trains! Trinity Railway Express down in Texas where I live acquired two F40PHs fitted with P5s and boy are they satisfying to listen to!!
I wish my state had some sort of train service like Amtrak or something. As far as I know there aren’t any train stations for things like that in Kentucky. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe so. You would think they would have that right here in Louisville but no. This train just looks amazing. Would love to ride it but nowhere near California California lol good looking train and I’ll tell you that Cab that train looks like a NASA launch station lol I appreciate the video. Keep up the great work.
@@sgt.eclair I appreciate the information. Was not aware they were actually in Kentucky and I’m from Portsmouth/South shore. Currently reside in Louisville again thank you for the information. Greatly appreciate it.🫥🫥
more than 13 years. But then again, there are countries that dont have electric rail at all, let alone any rail. US rail network is so much better than haiti, guatemala, etc.
@@lalakerspro You know that you‘re reaching for straws when you‘re comparing the world‘s strongest economy to third world countries crippled by political turmoil, crime and natural disasters.
I can't say how excited I am to see this world class rolling stock and proper overhead electrification here in the U.S. and coupled with improved frequencies. What an upgrade from the ye-olde F40s and Gallery cars. I'm glad they made the right decision to go with overhead catenary. I'm hoping other agencies see the light, the U.S. really needs to get onboad with so many other parts of the world when it comes to passenger rail and having a modern rail network. It's amazing how the KISS units now make the Amtrak trains look like old news. On the freight side, it's too bad about Uncle Pete, this could have been a good test ground for them to work on electrification at a time when the CARB would like to see a phase out of diesel operations over the longer terms, but alas the class 1s are just interested in short-term stock prices over long-term growth and long-standing technology that would give them massive advantages over other forms of transport.
On shooter rides (and 1h20 is considered short) many trains around the world do not offer bathrooms at all or just one bathroom onboard as the focus is on capacity and low maintenance. There are no bathrooms on Bart (and even id it has the feel of a metro/subway it's still commuter rail and a ride can take longer than 1h20. The trains of the Elisabeth line in London have no bathrooms and in many systems around the world there is only one, which is usually the adapted bathroom. I do believe that there should be at least on and there are services that provides more than one but having just one or non at all is certainly something that is considered acceptable in system around the world.
Most other S-bahn style systems have no bathrooms on trains at all and no bathrooms in stations, unless it’s a major terminus. Like Diridon and Millbrae, which do have a bathrooms.
I have an issue when companies say its 100% renewable electricity. I work in that industry. You can only guarantee 100% if the cabling only connected to that system is only connected to the renewable generators. If regards to the toilet issue. Yes there should at least two on a train that length one on either end. Also the signage for it needs improved for sure. In regards to the door sounds. Seems perfectly fine to me then am used to loud sounds. Other than that nice train and cant wait to see what else CalTrains pull out the bag :)
Theae trains are far from "unparalleled". This is all standard in Europe and Siemens and Alstom produce similar trains. The only differences I could see where (1) high WiFi speeds and (2) this ridiculous steam train bell when the train gets to a platform. What's that about? Are Americans so prone to stepping onto tracks?
@rheel6747 the battery powered trains aren't done testing ... and I'm sure the power used to power the train comes from renewable sources like hydro solar etc... whatever that part of cali got going on
@@sgt.eclair I had my doubts when they said 100% because Solar and Wind can't do that without something else like Hydro or Nuclear backing it up. Thanks for the info.
Every electrified railway system that is modern(ised) uses a backup system for their electric grid. This means that trains would be able to continue to their next stop and be able to disembark their passengers. But the electricity grid in California is and will be more then capable to handle all the demand for the foreseeable future. This is due to more renewable energy sources going online and being able to deliver more and more power and being able to be a lot cheaper too.
@@TohaBgood2 The same cannot be said for a tree in my backyard, which singlehandedly blacked out power for 1700 people by having a branch fall on a power line...
If you are fortunate to travel to the UK or other parts of Europe its very freeing to be able to travel around a country or large city with no car. Its awesome being able to walk down the street and have options for food and basic services and not need a car. Car dependency is one of the worst decisions the United States ever made.
Caltrain made the right decision… meanwhile at the MBTA…
MBTA, don't even get me started, LOL!!!
Seriously do MBTA really think their battery trains will do them any favors?
@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301The shorter answer: NO!!
@@kevinb8881EXACTLY
Absolute DISGRACE on the MBTA’s part. There really needs to be a large-scale advocacy movement to OPPOSE battery trains in favor of PROVEN full catenary electrification!
The MBTA should be ASHAMED of themselves!
Sorry all the other transit tubers, this is by far the best and most comprehensive electric Caltrain review. And it’s not even close!
Great job on the review LSTR!
Right? And he's from Texas.
same, I thought this would be a bad video since I had seen many others with more views and subscribers, and those were mid, but this one was BY FAR the best video I have seen so far. I'm shocked it doesn't have any more views!
I work for VTA as a light rail operator and I've been stationed in Germany in my youth. These trains have a very European feel inside and out. I've seen them fly by coming into Mountain View and watched them take off, they're FAST!
Wish they didnt have european seats, but aside from that, pretty good
@@lalakerspro As someone from the Netherlands I wish our new trains didn’t have them either, our old train seats are better too!
Caltrain now sets a gold standard for North American Commuter Rail; I think MBTA, Frontrunner, and Metrolink should be next for electrification.
Don't forget Metra
@@rmorzy75lol leave metra out of this 😂
@@rmorzy75 Unfortunately, Metra might be the least probable to electrify because all of their trains run on freight lines, most or some lines on Metrolink, Frontrunner, and MBTA are owned by themeselves
Metrolink already said don’t expect them to go electric anytime soon
@@californiaporg frontrunner owns 100% of the line, before they shortened the line, UP owned only about the last 4 or 5 miles
Beautiful new trains inside and out! Great video!
i hope this is a sign of things to come
awesome america is finally getting a taste of modern trains, hopefully this helps establish normalcy for public transport
America built the first modern subway used all over the world. We are more ahead than people think.
@@lalakerspro americas subways were modern 20 years ago. I'd like to direct your attention to japanese rail, the ICE, the öbb railjet, any european tram system, gotthard base tunnel, the swiss' tact timing system of interlinked services and lines.
I'm not trying to bash americas public transport but showing that it can be improved (europe's also isn't perfect).
how it should be improved, is for city planners to figure out. divert some billions of the trillions going to the army and remember that america was literally built on trains. that should be reason enough to wanting to be at the forefront of public transport. :)
@@lalakerspro They built a modern subway... for the 20th century, but it leaves much to be desired in the 21st century
These new EMU's would do wonders for the Northeast corridor
I'd like to see Stadler build EMU's specifically for the Amtrak Northeast Corridor service. An upgraded Stadler FLIRT with PTC protection could theoretically accelerate well over 100 mph quickly on many Corridor sections and could substantially cut travel time on Regional service.
SEPTA and NJT already use electric MU cars as well as electric engines hauled bi level coaches on the northeast lines as well as on other lines. SEPTA in the Philadelphia area only uses electric powered trains. NJT has a combination of electrified and diesel lines on the old Erie Lackawanna lines as well as some all diesel hauled lines. Just as mentioned in other posts both agencies receive minimal state support for capital improvements so additional electrification will most likely not happen.
sbb emu fleet in so boring i kibda think the carige haulwd ones look good
@@Ghfvhvfgthe EMU's accelerate and stop far quicker than a locomotive hauled train because all the wheels are powered so they all move.
@@nolantherailfan5048 true i konw they can cange speed fast
That is a Federal Horn used on Siemens S700 cars and Desiro VT642 trains used in San Diego Trolley and NCTD' Sprinter. The bells are probably the Nathan Bells though.
Hoping these new, electric trains are a big success - hope it inspires other commuter networks across the U.S. & Canada.
I gotta go to see caltrain. These new trains are fire 🔥 fr 💯❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wow, Caltrain also wants dual mode EMU trains (catenary/battery) for their San Fran to Gilroy runs, interesting!!!
There's talk that once they get here, the state local officials want to extend runs to Salinas and Watsonville.
@@JediTev Oh wow, Caltrain is really upping their ante!!
What they need to do is nationalize rail like every single other country does
@@f-86zoomer37 It's called Amtrak....
@@JPBX904 If only Amtrak actually owned all the train tracks and ROWs they run passenger service on...
I just subscribed to your channel. I have been watching your rail videos for quite some time and find that it’s obvious you really do your research. You also basically tell it like it is in regards to both the good and the bad, without having the entire video lean in any one direction. I like that! Thanks! 😉
Your excietement is contagious. I feel like jumping on a plane to ride Caltrain
his voice makes me want to barf
Very impressive. Down here in Sydney Australia we use double decker trains like these for our suburban services and they are really popular. A very good direction for California to go, I think!
That Wi-Fi is unreal! They let you sound the horn!!!? Great footage, extensive interior shots and coverage of this train. You never disappoint.
Good to see proper trains are being introduced throughout America. You don’t need a big engine car which takes away from the extra seats these newer trains provide
electric trains have been in america long time, just not widespread.
We have had electrics and we have EMUs it's just not wide spread. Some SEPTA lines run them still. They are/were more expensive to run the diesel for the longest time.
@@joeblow5214 Ironically the US was the first to popularize EMUs in the 40s and 50s and then just abandoned the thechnology.
This is exciting to see, it sets the bar high for GO Transit expansion here.
My jaw legit dropped when I saw the acceleration
Front runner would probably the next ComRail to get these
Other ComRails are taking notes right now
This is just the beginning of a new era for Comrails, and other Comrails should follow Caltrain's success
I hope MBTA, Metrolink and Metra does this eventually!
If Caltrain wanted to, they could get ACS-64s and/or AL45DP for electric Baby Bullet services to san jose limited service to south of San Jose. Caltrain can be similar to SEPTA, Regional Rail that keeps In this case, gallery and Bombardier double deckers cars on peak times
Or an overhead electric version of the SC42DM being built for Metro North
i dont think caltrain is looking to go to old locomotives, their mission is to keep modernizing
I rode a CalTrain gallery car few months ago and those things rode rough, so I doubt they wanna keep those. Plus those things as well as the F40s were just about to go bye bye. However, their Bombardier cars run so smooth. I think CalTrain should buy dual power mode locomotives and refurbish their Bombardier cars, thus buy CEM cab cars (for up to date safety standards) in case they need through services from San Francisco to Gilroy without people switching trains at San Jose
also between sf and SJ will only be EMU's or battery trains. running old locomotives between sj and is not what they want. They arent gonna run dual mode between sj and sf. There will be no direct trains between sf and gilroy
Finally! I was waiting for you to review and share your thoughts about this new train! 😊
Haven't commented in a while, but thanks for reviewing the new Caltrain Stadler rolling stock, it's really a great step in the right direction. Many transit fans oppose the trains for some reason, not wanting to depart from diesel, which I find so bizarre. These look awesome! How could you not want them!? Also much better for the environment, your health, efficiency, etc...
Thats awesome you got to experience Caltrain electrics they really should have a new name for the services. I wish where i am from Tri-rail or better yet Brightline looks into electrification.
I was there like a decade ago and there were just talks of Electrification, no overhead wires or anything of that besides the baby bullets and rode on the old school nippion shiryo gallery cars. My first time in service. Found the experience great and love its frequency.
I hope Metrolink looks into electrification and they should because CAHSR is coming there to Anaheim.
Yeah CAHSR’s LA-Anaheim segment will be shared with Metrolink and Amtrak trains (and even BNSF to a small extent), so for that to go electric could hopefully encourage Metrolink to go electric too. If they did, they could also share CAHSR’s tracks to Burbank Airport, or at least Downtown Burbank.
There are several Metrolink lines that could and should go electric. The SB Line is probably the strongest candidate, being entirely owned by two of the agencies that help make up SCRRA who own Metrolink, has little if any freight traffic, and is the busiest in their system. Other candidates would be the OC Line to at least Laguna Niguel, if not all the way to Oceanside and down to San Diego, the AV Line to at least Santa Clarita if not to Palmdale/Lancaster, and the VC Line to Moorpark.
I’ll miss the F40’s and Nippon cars. I’m glad I traveled cross country twice to get them. Long live those EMD stalwarts.
Good move Caltrain and a great report! However as a Sydney Australian I have to say, "The 1970s is NOW!"😉
We've had quiet and comfortable bi-level local and regional EMUs for more than 50 years. No WiFi though🤔😂
These emu's are the newest stadler has, ones from the 1970 are already a lot older
Caltrain can use the battery powered train on the Gilroy line
great review of the new trains
his/her voice is annoying
this is really cool. my son and i will be taking a trip to san francisco in a couple weeks to try it out
The overhead line equipment used for CalTrains is the British Rail/Balfour Beatty Mk3 system with Siemens registration arms.
Very good report going to go on the gras opening trains tomorrow
More Comrails need these (Especially MBTA)
good Video！
ありがとう！
列車に乗ってみたいです！
So nice!
11:54 home level of wifi?? How good is ur wifi omg mines around 30mbps😭
Bro lives in the trenches
@@frostbyte3978
Was 700kbps earlier today! 🙂👍
@@frostbyte3978 it was 500kbps the other day
I wanna go back to the trenches
It's great to see advanced, modern trains in the U.S. Someone needs to tell NJ Transit to get some of these.
Idk if they could fit in the NEC tunnels
@@maas1208 Stadler is famous for train order customisation. They could almost definitely design a KISS fit for the Penn Station tunnels.
@@maas1208 They could be modified like the ones in Europe with the curved roof. The dimensions for this train aren't that disparate from the rail cars they have now.
Huh? NJT has on order Alstom multilevel EMUs and have been running EMUs into Penn for nearly a century. Alstom (and Bombardier before it) just sucks at delivery and has been dragging their feet.
@@TheRailwayDrone But they also have to accommodate high platforms
If Stadler KISSes are the future, then the future was back in 2008 😉
Interesting format for your video. Start in San Jose. Trains are great except for power sockets, door chime, and toilet situation. Little spiel at the end about how these trains are actually the present and standard around the world. Then get off at Millbrae to watch the train accelerate.
Must be a successful formula…
It’s a variation on a theme, if you will.
@@LonestarTrips sure.
@Thom-TRA dude that’s literally how the trains are. I can’t change the facts. Plus that’s how they were described by the public information officer I was working with.
@@LonestarTrips I’m not sure I know what you mean. I was talking about the outline of your video, not anything about the trains themselves.
This is effectively the same structure I’ve been running for years. Sorry if it’s too similar, but this is how I’ve been doing it for a while.
The upright seat backs are terrible, but I guess they wanted to squeeze in as many seats as possible. Compared to the diesel trains, the smooth, quiet and faster acceleration of the electric trains makes the ride much more relaxing, giving the illusion that the trip is shorter than the diesel trains where the ride is loud, rough and slow in comparison.
At 10:45 did you say 3 three minute headway on weekends ?
There will be a 30 min headway on weekends. Sorry if it sounds too much like 3 min headways.
Having only one restroom on a train this long could be a major issue for men over 55 who, when that sudden urge comes, just gotta go NOW! If you are over 55 you know exactly what I am talking about. And not having signs to point the way to the one car with the restroom seems like a deficiency. Perhaps there should be some kind of image on the window, like the bicycle car has. But my complaint is about the train. The video itself was excellent, as always!
As someone from the bay area you should check out the DMU smart train in marin county
He already has.
i like the new train but my down side is how loud the door alert sound is when it opens otherwise the train is more quiet
The door chime isn't for you. It's for people who are visually impaired, in the same way the lights aren't for you, they are for people who are hearing impaired. It just happens that both things give us extra information to navigate safely on and off the train.
people who are visually impaired will be hearing impaired too with those chimes soon. They can be a lot quieter and get the job done.
I can't wait for these electric trains to come here to Ontario to be used by GO Transit.
Unfortunately, Go went with the slower locomotive driven option and they’re only electrifying a few select routes. So you went see these exact trains or any type of modern EMU.
Alstom controls the new fleet for GO transit so they'll almost certainly choose Alstom trains rather than Stadler. They will initially run electric locomotives with the existing BiLevel coaches but they are considering also using EMUs further in the future
10:58 shout-out to my stop for work!
And THATS how you go full zero emissions
There is no such as zero emissions
@@interceptor7905yes there is
@@interceptor7905 If you run electric trains using electricity wholly generated by renewable means, then where are the harmful emissions?
@@bahnspotterEU Developing the trains themselves, especially batteries much like teslas.
@interceptor7905 sure, the battery production produces waste and emissions. But teslas are mass produced on a massive scale, compared to a couple of trains used by transit agencies.
Other commuter rail lines need to start taking notes.
Caltrain is more than commuter rail
@@MiguelX413it’s a Bay Area experience, along with BART
@@Whistvomithasreturned quite
The chimes are probably loud so that people with hearing disabilities or problems can hear them. People with disabilities usually get the short end of the stick when it comes to these kind of things.
No need to make it ear-damaging for the non-disabled. But then again, this will increase equality...
@BiggLee1012 people with hearing issues can see the lights when the door opens. Making things for people with disabilities shouldn't mean everyone else gets the short end of the stick
No why it's perceived as so loud is because it's a single tone in a somewhat high range. (And that's also the reason why high speed trains use high pitched train horns, it'll pierce through more ambient sounds)
@@MrAronymous Thanks for explaining why it’s sounds loud. I figured it was there for some reason not just to annoy people. I just didn’t know what it was.
The brakes seem quite noisy on the new trains. Not sure why.
Thank you to all the democratic representatives and congress members who made this possible.
First question: Where did you get the fottage of the cabs? Is there maybe another video in the making? ;-)
And about the EMUs in general. They are a huge step in the US. No offense, but you are kinda stuck in the 1970s when it comes to rolling stock...
In western europe rail fans kinda get annoyed by the flood of EMUs. They are killing all the loco hauled trains and it is kinda boring. Freight trains are kinda more interesting those days...
AT least our rolling stock is reliable. So many european trains in the US have had issues breaking down, while american locomotives havent really had those issues
In Louisiana it’s all diesel there’s no electric trains here and the tracks r owned by both Union Pacific and BNSF
California is not the first to have a fully electric rail line, Philly has had electric rail lines for nearly a century and other computer lines are now starting to play catch-up
Could you make a video about ON’s Polar Bear Express please?
Metra has Aging EMUs on the Electric District.
Rip soft launch happy birthday for the real launch
Who did you take that CEMOF yard tour with? I know the Yard manager Brad.
I toured with Steve and Caltrain public relations officer Dan Lieberman.
@@LonestarTrips awesome! I know a lot of Caltrain and TASI workers
Single bathroom is also regrettable for redundancy reasons. It's just way too common for them to break down. I europe the minimum is two bathrooms for that reason.
I love the design and the move forward towards zero emissions and 100% electrification. However, a part of me will miss the Diesel era of locos that I grew up with. Their loud noise and diesel burning smell as they rushed by is a fond memory engraved in the back of my mind of my childhood
Same
This old fart remembers when they converted from steam and to use my family pass I had to take the farthest car. :)
*GROW UP!*
YOU'RE still masterreabaeting over the the steamers and "their OOOHHHHH SOOOOO COOOOOLLLL LINKAGES THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE".......*
*GROW UP!*
*IT'S 2024 NOT 1924...........*
Why couldn’t they electrify the entire CalTrain system and have the new rolling stock go past Diridon?
It does go one stop Diridon to Tamien. But Caltrain only owns the tracks until Tamien. Beyond that the UP is blocking electrification, for now.
Awesome video my friend, I love CalTrain of San Francisco commuter rail, also this long overdue and momentous occasion for CalTrain and new fleet of its high speed rail. 😊🚊
1:12
Correction: It oughta be "18 or under", NOT "under 18" because of how the youth clipper works
If Freight companies electrify their lines, then Electric Amtrak trains can use them, Right?
8:21 Stadler sells a lot of trains in Europe. So I’m wondering why they didn‘t choose the European doorsounds which are mandatory and regulated by the EU. They alternate between sounds, are 70 decibels loud and while not being completely pleasant, they are much better then what Caltrain now has…
Other Stadler trains in the US use the European door sound, so I can only guess it was Caltrain's choice.
How did you get access to CEMOF ?
I did a tour with CalTrain’s public information officer! I filmed the whole thing and will upload it as a separate video, but that won’t be until after the official launch day, as I’m out on a work trip.
@@LonestarTripsis it possible for the public to ask or get a tour of caltrain's mainetence facility?
That I’m not sure, tbh. I’d recommend reaching out to Caltrain directly if you’re interested.
I really hope they stick with those youth fares. A number of times where taking Caltrain with my kid somewhere was an option it very quickly lost out to the cost of multiple people not making it price competitive with driving.
A little gift from us Europeans 😁
Made in USA 🇺🇸
@ABTrainsYT um, no buddy, this was built in the US. And its not a gift, we paid for it 😀
@@lalakerspro where do you think the blueprints (and actually parts) came from? xD
The only reason it's build (or more assembled) in the US is because it has to be made in the US according to US law. The train is still European like the company.
So yes, it actually is a gift from us Europeans.
@@evo3s75 the US paid for it, thats not a gift. You think they happily handed trains over to us for free?
It is a gift from Europe because all the parts and pieces to build the trains came from Europe, and Stadler is a Swiss company.
Caltrain has electrified. It’s time for the Class 1 Freight companies to start Taking NOTES.
Electrification is what is needed. Bring back the Boxcab design of locomotives.
Same with us the LRT trains are so noisy in doors 3gs
11:54 if Caltrain can do it, so can NJT, MNCR, and the LIRR!
lirr is mostly electrified already
All of those are at least partially electrified how dumb are you...
The vast majority of the LIRR is electrified with plans to electrify more. The LIRR has been mainly EMUs for over half a century at this point.
I think while the time reduced is welcome, due to a number of grade crossings (for now) the stop speed is still limited to 79 mph. But that also means the _Baby Bullet_ service is going to be a lot faster, too.
its Caltrain, not CalTrain. That was in LA
Honestly I'm surprised that UP doesn't start to investigate electric locos, because of California's crazy emissions laws.
This project was great, what a slam dunk! I wish the seats were more like the stadler KISS trains used in Europe
The seats are the same as far as I remember the S-bahn style KISSes in Europe.
@@TohaBgood2 These ones in coach class look nicer than caltrain's ruclips.net/video/dBkKVyK5_I0/видео.htmlsi=5PLzOycPN2fHd4Ea
The complaint - about the electric outlets and the fact of only one bathroom on board - are things CalTrain ordered like this…
Yeah good luck with that BEMU "under development" 😆🤣
1881: Siemens presents overhead catenary as a technological innovation in Paris
2024: Caltrain presents overhead catenary as a technological innovation in the US
But jokes aside, this is the right way
Lol, you do realize that the Bay Area has had electric rail since the 19th century, right? BART, which is of course electric itself, replaced a sprawling network of electric interurbans in 1972.
Fun fact: The modern pantograph for electric trains was invented in 1903 by John Q. Brown, an engineer working the Key System in the East Bay/Oakland. So guess who Siemens has been paying patent royalties for the pantographs that they used all these years.
BART replaced the Key System and the other Bay Area electric interurbans systems as the main interurban commuter rail system region.
So much for your failed attempt at Eurosupremacy 🤣🤣🤣
NJT and Metro North in the North East has been using this stuff for nearly a century now. Thats ofc not counting the LIRR with its 3rd rail electrified EMUs. This is squarely on California and other governments dragging their feet and not copying successful commuter rail projects within the US, much less abroad.
@@helloworldstein Again, do you think that BARt runs on magical unicorn farts or on electricity?
@@TohaBgood2 As a railway engineer I am aware of them. However, including this much information in the joke rather seemed like something an architect would do to ruin it entirely.
@@helloworldstein Unfortunately they do have a lot of influence thou.
Great concept but anyone here in California should know of the electric shortage. Especially in the summer time when everyone is running their air conditioner and utility companies have to implement rolling black outs due to not enough electricity to go around. Don't seem smart on the states' part when they implemented no gas powered water heaters or appliances in new built homes. Seems like they would have done a better job figuring out the electricity part first. Its like putting the horse behind the carriage. It doesn't make sense. Then again, half the things the governor does already doesn't make sense. Just saying....😌
I need Metra Electric and the South Shore Line to use these along with some other upgrades.
There is no need to modify the South Shore or METRA electric powered lines. Both have relatively new electric powered MU cars that are capable of running at high speeds if the stations are far enough apart. Otherwise they still have good acceleration between local stops on both lines where the stations are closer spaced.
@@johnchambers8528yeah no, upgrade those old cars already
@@californiamade5608 Most rail cars run for at least 20 to 30 years before they are considered to be replaced. If money is not available they are kept on line even longer even if it would be better to replace them. Just because there is something newer that may be better does not mean you need to buy it unless it saves big money in operating or maintenance cost.
@@johnchambers8528 they’re old man. Chicago deserves better.
@@californiamade5608 The Oldest Highliner 2s are nearly 20 yrs old while the Youngest are 10 yrs old, so they still have some life left in them
These trains would feel right at home on GO transit's electrification expansion - although unlike Boston, battery-electric mode might be necessary for non-electrified sections to Niagara falls and Kitchener (only the Lakeshore East and Barrie lines will be fully electrified from Union station)
Unfortunately the plan is to keep the current cars with electric locomotives so no EMU's.The study they did showed that EMU's will cost 40% more than electric locomotives and they could not see any offsetting benefits.
Sleek and modern they are! Not a fan of the horn or bell though! There’s one thing America beats Europe when it comes to trains! Trinity Railway Express down in Texas where I live acquired two F40PHs fitted with P5s and boy are they satisfying to listen to!!
You might be right there, usually we don't use any bells or horns here in Switzerland, so you've got the expertise in this field! 🙂
@markusstudeli2997 kind of lame. I love train horns, they are soothing, and at times, powerful. Then again the swiss have good rail so not complaining
I wish my state had some sort of train service like Amtrak or something. As far as I know there aren’t any train stations for things like that in Kentucky. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe so. You would think they would have that right here in Louisville but no. This train just looks amazing. Would love to ride it but nowhere near California California lol good looking train and I’ll tell you that Cab that train looks like a NASA launch station lol
I appreciate the video. Keep up the great work.
list of amtrak stations in Kentucky:
Ashland
Fulton
Maysville
South Portsmouth/South Shore
So, not Louisville, but they exist.
@@sgt.eclair I appreciate the information. Was not aware they were actually in Kentucky and I’m from Portsmouth/South shore. Currently reside in Louisville again thank you for the information. Greatly appreciate it.🫥🫥
@@sgt.eclair The only one served daily is Fulton, and that is only served in the middle of the night.
While these trains are being regarded as the "future" in the US, these trains have existed in Europe for 13 years....
more than 13 years.
But then again, there are countries that dont have electric rail at all, let alone any rail. US rail network is so much better than haiti, guatemala, etc.
@@lalakerspro You know that you‘re reaching for straws when you‘re comparing the world‘s strongest economy to third world countries crippled by political turmoil, crime and natural disasters.
@@bahnspotterEUYoure right, dumb comparison. Now do canada, UK, etc, countries that have strong economies and laughable rail
@@JPBX904 built in the U.S
@@californiamade5608 What's the difference? They're still the same model.
I can't say how excited I am to see this world class rolling stock and proper overhead electrification here in the U.S. and coupled with improved frequencies. What an upgrade from the ye-olde F40s and Gallery cars. I'm glad they made the right decision to go with overhead catenary. I'm hoping other agencies see the light, the U.S. really needs to get onboad with so many other parts of the world when it comes to passenger rail and having a modern rail network. It's amazing how the KISS units now make the Amtrak trains look like old news.
On the freight side, it's too bad about Uncle Pete, this could have been a good test ground for them to work on electrification at a time when the CARB would like to see a phase out of diesel operations over the longer terms, but alas the class 1s are just interested in short-term stock prices over long-term growth and long-standing technology that would give them massive advantages over other forms of transport.
They definitely need to add another bathroom
with 6 car trains I'd potentially be looking for another two bathrooms
On shooter rides (and 1h20 is considered short) many trains around the world do not offer bathrooms at all or just one bathroom onboard as the focus is on capacity and low maintenance. There are no bathrooms on Bart (and even id it has the feel of a metro/subway it's still commuter rail and a ride can take longer than 1h20. The trains of the Elisabeth line in London have no bathrooms and in many systems around the world there is only one, which is usually the adapted bathroom.
I do believe that there should be at least on and there are services that provides more than one but having just one or non at all is certainly something that is considered acceptable in system around the world.
Most other S-bahn style systems have no bathrooms on trains at all and no bathrooms in stations, unless it’s a major terminus. Like Diridon and Millbrae, which do have a bathrooms.
ig it wouldn't be too hard to get another toilet in, Stadler trains are modular after all iirc
Great video!😀👍💯🚆
But man this guy's voice sounds exactly like Sam from Wendover Productions, maybe it is him🤣😂😅
I will miss the old P2s though, those are some good horns
The New Horns do sound similar to the P2s
Chonky Stadler Kiss????
I have an issue when companies say its 100% renewable electricity. I work in that industry. You can only guarantee 100% if the cabling only connected to that system is only connected to the renewable generators. If regards to the toilet issue. Yes there should at least two on a train that length one on either end. Also the signage for it needs improved for sure. In regards to the door sounds. Seems perfectly fine to me then am used to loud sounds. Other than that nice train and cant wait to see what else CalTrains pull out the bag :)
the door sound is utterly annoying, especially when you compare to how quiet the rest of the emu.
The chime is a Thing from EU Rules in the Last decade that they become this noisy loud tune
one restroom ! totally ridiculous. whoever approved this junk needs to be fired.
Can the train be car washed with water Tesla is your sponsor 😷👽
They can be washed with water without fail!
@@LonestarTrips World Series Game 3 2004 mlb vault is caltrain😷
Did anyone else pause at 2:00? She caked up.
Theae trains are far from "unparalleled". This is all standard in Europe and Siemens and Alstom produce similar trains.
The only differences I could see where (1) high WiFi speeds and (2) this ridiculous steam train bell when the train gets to a platform. What's that about? Are Americans so prone to stepping onto tracks?
theres one platform i know of when we have to cross over the tracks to get to the othere side plus we get suicides
not standard in europe. Serbia and montenegro still use old outdated trains
They must have built some huge batteries to run this train on 100% renewable power.
lol no 😂
@@jermainec2462 can you elaborate on where this 100% renewable energy originates from then?
@rheel6747 the battery powered trains aren't done testing ... and I'm sure the power used to power the train comes from renewable sources like hydro solar etc... whatever that part of cali got going on
It's being run on mainly hydropower, with some wind power and solar backing it up. So yes, 100% renewable.
@@sgt.eclair I had my doubts when they said 100% because Solar and Wind can't do that without something else like Hydro or Nuclear backing it up. Thanks for the info.
What happens when California’s power grid fries??? 😳🙄😵💫🥴🤷♂️🤦♂️
Every electrified railway system that is modern(ised) uses a backup system for their electric grid. This means that trains would be able to continue to their next stop and be able to disembark their passengers. But the electricity grid in California is and will be more then capable to handle all the demand for the foreseeable future. This is due to more renewable energy sources going online and being able to deliver more and more power and being able to be a lot cheaper too.
I think you greatly overestimate the frequency and severity of power outages in CA
Never had a loss of power in the Bay Area. We mostly use hydropower which tends to be rock solid.
@@TohaBgood2 The same cannot be said for a tree in my backyard, which singlehandedly blacked out power for 1700 people by having a branch fall on a power line...
California is not Texas. 🤣
If you are fortunate to travel to the UK or other parts of Europe its very freeing to be able to travel around a country or large city with no car. Its awesome being able to walk down the street and have options for food and basic services and not need a car. Car dependency is one of the worst decisions the United States ever made.
@@CNM3 because most european countries are tiny and dense. The train line in this video is half the size of Switzerland.
that wifi is literally ten times faster than my rural pennsylvania home wifi lol