Photos

It's easy to forget how long Caltrain has been around: Passenger rail service between San Francisco and San Jose began in 1863, and Janet McGovern would like to show everyone how it evolved into its modern incarnation.

Ms. McGovern, who covered the Southern Pacific Railroad as a reporter for the Redwood City Tribune and then worked in the Caltrain public information department from 1992 to 2011, will give a talk in Menlo Park at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, about the history of the rail line and how it transformed the Peninsula.

The talk on her new book, "Caltrain and the Peninsula Commute Service," will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at the Menlo Park Council Chambers, 701 Laurel St. in Menlo Park.

Free van service is available for Menlo Park seniors and people with disabilities. Call (650) 330-2512 to schedule a pickup.

This free program is supported by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.

Click here to download a flier on this event.

Click here to see a history of passenger rail service on the Peninsula posted on the Caltrain website.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.