Caltrain completes integrated testing between San Francisco, San Jose

Caltrain last week completed integrated testing between San Francisco and San Jose, California, as part of the railroad's electrification project.

Tests were conducted on the electric trains, overhead contact system, grounding, bonding and existing infrastructure in the final segment from San Francisco to Millbrae.

Caltrain is expecting the full rollout of electrified passenger service in fall. Each of the 23 electric trainsets must complete 1,000 miles of testing before passenger service can begin.

"Completion of the integrated testing between San Francisco and Millbrae means that the full corridor is ready for us to enter the final phase of testing the new electric trains," said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard in a press release. "With each successful test, we draw closer to providing faster, more frequent, and sustainable service in September 2024."

Caltrain's electrification project is the first undertaking in North America in a generation in which diesel trains and their infrastructure components are transitioned to an electrified system. Electrification is expected to bring faster and more frequent service, including doubling service frequency on weekends.