r/caltrain

unlocking new locations?

I admit I could've been 30 seconds earlier.

But it is just especially infuriating to be blocked from crossing the tracks to catch the train, by the gates behind the arrived train not opening the whole time it's waiting there, until it has already departed. Of course, the gates in front also did not open, but that's more understandable (although, still not programmed right).

I said this elsewhere previously, but it seems that these gates are quite "dumb" where other rail systems manage to have them act smarter. Some places even allow the gates not to have to close if the train is expected to stop at the station and is slowing down. Either the gates are "dumb", or the driver is purposely holding them down and inconveniencing everyone in the aspiration that the train leaves sooner.

Just north of Santa Clara (around San Tomas for those who know). Felt like the engineer was trying to manage speed to avoid it, but lol. Usual 7-10 minute delay.

Caltrain CAC is tonight. From what I’ve heard from people who’ve written board letters, Caltrain is responding with text suggesting they’ve got a software fix in testing. That fix cannot come soon enough. I just wish they could publish it to their website so I don’t have to keep posting these.

I also expect 511 to ebrake 😂😭

In the usual spot, a little bit south of Sunnyvale. Expect 7-10m delays.

Pretty clearly a PTC hotspot here where the system freaks out and brakes the train… let’s see if Caltrain says anything in this week’s CAC about it.

Heads up potential delays as reported vehicle on tracks near Redwood City

It’s saying 20 minutes late but the number keeps increasing..

Assuming Connect Bay Area passes Caltrain’s deficit will be closed, and that will probably open the door to service increases. They could maybe look something a bit like this:

Before Covid, Caltrain had set a goal of 168 trains per day for post-electrification, that fell through thanks to Covid but if ridership continues climbing and funding increases they might bring back this target. Here’s what I think service would perhaps look like:

No need to change anything with the locals (numbered 1xx on weekday timetables and 6xx on weekend timetables), every half hour is fine

Renumber the current limited pattern (express north of Redwood City, local south of Redwood City) to 3xx, keep it running hourly during rush hour (12 per day)

Introduce a new limited pattern numbered 4xx, it’ll run as a local train north of Redwood City and a express train south of Redwood City, run it hourly during rush hour (12 per day)

Increase express service and keep it numbered 5xx: go back to 24 trains per day (every half hour)

Introduce weekend express service (numbered 7xx, same pattern as weekday), run 4 trains per day

Add a 5th South County Connector in each direction, they have trackage rights to run up to 10 per day and might as well use them

What do you guys think?

Hi, I've never rode caltrain before so please excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject.

I am going to the BTS concert at Stanford stadium on Tuesday, and I saw that the Tamien station offers free parking, so I hope y'all could answer my questions regarding riding caltrain:

1. Do I need to take a connecting train from Tamien station to Palo Alto station? I am a little confused looking at the website, so I don't know if I need to get off one train and jump back onto another train at the San Jose diridion station.

2. If there is a connecting train that I need to take, do I need to pay extra? I plan on just buying a day pass, so I assume I don't need to pay extra to take different trains, but I just want to make sure.

3. According to the caltrain website, the last train to depart Palo Alto station after the concert at night is at 11:27 pm. I will be heading southbound towards Tamien station then, so would that train go all the way to Tamien station or do I again have to take a connecting train?

4. Again, if there is a connecting train needed to be taken after the concert has ended, would the connecting train still be running that late at night, or would there be no more connecting trains by then? The concert is set to end by 10 pm, but given the time I have to walk and wait in line at the station, I probably won't be on the train until maybe 10:30 or 11:00 pm. If there is no connecting train available, then perhaps it's better that I go to the Diridion station instead, since that one seems like there is no connecting train at all need.

5. Is there still available parking at Tamien station or San Jose Diridion station around 2:00-2:30 pm on Tuesday? I plan on arriving and parking there around that time.

Thanks!

The more these come to fruition, the better the service we get on Caltrain

Why is there such a low success rate for internet on caltrain?
It is almost as reliable as a working toilet on a train set.
Did anyone think to budget for maintenance when Caltrain spent a Billion dollars to upgrade the system?
Were these the same very well paid managers that figured out the fare system that doesn’t seem to work either?
I realize this is a state-of-the-art transportation system with no more innovative examples anywhere in the world. It must be impossible to find trained people to run the show.
Vote more $$&$ to keep this mess running - NOT

Any day in -y. Today, there’s three employees in safety vests in the first car. Couldn’t give me details but Caltrain seems aware that 511 in particular hits this problem more than pretty much any other train…

You clearly have a fancy high-pay tech job. How did you get this far in life without realizing or caring that your stink can be felt in a 3-row radius?