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California state representative Diane Papan peeks out of the window of one of an all new electric train on display at Caltrain’s 160th Anniversary Celebration at the San Carlos station. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Charlie Fallon, the Lead Project Mechanical Engineer for the Caltrain project, explains the breaking system to Ben Sumers and Joe Scalmanini, 3, during a tour of an all new electric train during Caltrain’s 160th Anniversary Celebration at the San Carlos station. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Crowds tour an all new electric train during Caltrain’s 160th Anniversary Celebration at the San Carlos station. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Yun Lin (left) and Katherine Moore of San Carlos try out the seating on an all new electric train during Caltrain’s 160th Anniversary Celebration at the San Carlos station. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Caltrain’s new electric trains feature electric outlets under each seat. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
New seats and tables on the all new electric Caltrain. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Caltrain’s new electric trains feature a bike car that has bungee cords and railings that won’t chip the paint on bikes. May 11, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.
As California assemblymember Diane Papan praised the brand-new electrified Caltrain model gleaming in fresh red and white on the tracks behind her, an old train, covered in black soot, sped by, drowning out her speech.
A crowd of nearly 100 people at the San Carlos event unveiling the new rounded electric trains erupted in laughter, admiring the differences between the two.
After over 20 years of reimagining its design, Caltrain showcased on Saturday its new electric train, which will begin operating from San Francisco to San Jose in September.
The event welcomed various politicians like U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo – who has advocated for the train upgrades for years.
Eshoo said it’s been a difficult journey to make Caltrain the Peninsula’s own high-speed rail system, connecting local businesses, riders and environmental groups to support the project.
“An electrified Caltrain will be the modern world-class transportation system that our innovative region deserves, with faster, quieter, cleaner trains that will improve air quality and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said in a speech.
The new trains are set to replace 75% of the old fleet in the fall – transitioning from diesel to electric and operating on motors rather than a push-pull locomotive system. Thirty-four of the old trains will be auctioned off, said Dan Lieberman, public information officer for Caltrain.
While the new trains themselves won’t have greater capacity, the increased frequency of stops and faster speeds will promote a more efficient traffic flow to accommodate more riders, Lieberman said, shortening the trip from San Francisco to San Jose to just under an hour.
Evenly distributed airflow – in the form of tiny holes throughout the ceilings of the trains – will replace vents directly over some seats, he said. And doors connecting each train car will now open with the push of a button.
The new trains will also offer free Wi-Fi and outlets under almost every seat – which will now be covered in vinyl rather than cloth.
Through online polls and discussion with bike-advocacy groups, Caltrain created a new design for bike riders, which will hold 72 bikes in two dedicated cars and add more seats to these areas.
During Saturday’s event, hundreds of people toured the trains in San Carlos, snapping photos and testing out the new seats.
“I’ve been riding the train for over 20 years, commuting to work,” local commuter Will Tull said. “I think the new trains are just amazing.”
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