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>Caltrain plans to use the money to switch to modern electric trains, from old diesel locomotives that are prone to failure. I ride the Caltrain about once a w

by hueving 10y ago

>Caltrain plans to use the money to switch to modern electric trains, from old diesel locomotives that are prone to failure. I ride the Caltrain about once a week and I haven't encountered a delay due to a locomotive failure. How often does this happen?

saym 10y ago
Happened to me once two weeks ago. I've also been on a train that had 'broken down' where it couldn't leave a station after coming to a stop. Also accidents with cars and pedestrians happens more frequently than they should. I don't know if the upgrades to the line include raising and separating the track wherever possible.
- martinald 10y ago
  Yes, there is a lot of grade seperation work in the project. Tbh it's pretty nutty the US doesn't do more of this, even in new schemes like LAs light rail there are dozens of at grade crossings. While more expensive in the short term to build i think really you should be aiming for 100% grade seperation for new projects, even if that means closing some less used roads to make it affordable.
magila 10y ago
I commute daily between SF and San Mateo, which covers about a third of Caltrain's line. I get delayed due to mechanical failures (usually on other trains) once a month or so on average.
- jdavis703 10y ago
  One just happened last week. A problem with the air brakes that made them evacuate an entire car on the train. I've been on other trains that lost all electrical power in the passenger cabs. Had engines that could not start after pulling into stations. Not too mention when one train breaks down others get stuck behind it.
greglindahl 10y ago
That's only part of the benefit of electrification. Electric trains accelerate more quickly, so you're delayed 100% of the time, today, compared to the schedule possible with an all-electric Caltrain.
ubernostrum 10y ago
I'd estimate I have a significant delay on my way to/from work probably once or twice a month. Whether it's equipment failure or an incursion onto the tracks, it's usually a mess when it happens, and adds at least an hour to the trip since they have to single-track the problem segment of the line until everything is cleared.

by hueving 10y ago

saym 10y ago

Happened to me once two weeks ago. I've also been on a train that had 'broken down' where it couldn't leave a station after coming to a stop. Also accidents with cars and pedestrians happens more frequently than they should. I don't know if the upgrades to the line include raising and separating the track wherever possible.

martinald 10y ago
Yes, there is a lot of grade seperation work in the project. Tbh it's pretty nutty the US doesn't do more of this, even in new schemes like LAs light rail there are dozens of at grade crossings. While more expensive in the short term to build i think really you should be aiming for 100% grade seperation for new projects, even if that means closing some less used roads to make it affordable.

magila 10y ago

I commute daily between SF and San Mateo, which covers about a third of Caltrain's line. I get delayed due to mechanical failures (usually on other trains) once a month or so on average.

jdavis703 10y ago
One just happened last week. A problem with the air brakes that made them evacuate an entire car on the train. I've been on other trains that lost all electrical power in the passenger cabs. Had engines that could not start after pulling into stations. Not too mention when one train breaks down others get stuck behind it.

greglindahl 10y ago

That's only part of the benefit of electrification. Electric trains accelerate more quickly, so you're delayed 100% of the time, today, compared to the schedule possible with an all-electric Caltrain.

ubernostrum 10y ago

I'd estimate I have a significant delay on my way to/from work probably once or twice a month. Whether it's equipment failure or an incursion onto the tracks, it's usually a mess when it happens, and adds at least an hour to the trip since they have to single-track the problem segment of the line until everything is cleared.