Caltrain’s first electric trainset shipped to TTCI for testing

Caltrain’s first electric trainset has arrived at the Transportation Technology Center Inc. in Pueblo, Colorado, for testing.

This facility will test the electrical multiple units (EMUs) at high speeds under numerous conditions, as required by the Federal Railroad Administration, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

Expected to take about eight months to complete, the testing will ensure that the new vehicles are ready for service. Tests include braking, propulsion, ride quality, noise and vibration, door operation, positive train control and electromagnetic interference.

Each trainset will feature seven cars compared with the current five or six used by Caltrain. EMUs are designed to accelerate and decelerate faster than diesel trains since eight motors are distributed throughout the train, while older cars must be pulled by a locomotive.

The electric motors generate less noise than their diesel equivalent. The EMUs also will include enhanced amenities.