Caltrain still having capacity problems

[blue streak 1]

Even though Caltrain bought some surplus cars from Metrolink to increase some trains to 6 cars they are still having overcrowded trains.  Due to layout of track with short distances at stations between cross streets trains longer than 6 car trains are difficult to operate. 

https://peninsulamoves.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/six-car-trains-seen-as-temporary-relief-not-cure-to-crowded-caltrain-system/

 

 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Caltrain seems to have a deathly fear of blocking grade crossings while trains are stopped to unload.  Metra, on several lines, has longer platforms which extend on both sides of a grade crossing where necessary to accomodate 8-car trains.

[BaltACD]

Time for a road crossing rationalization plan.

[schlimm]

Yep.  Close those intermediate crossings that are less than a 10 car train length from those adjoining.

[MikeF90]

schlimm

Yep.  Close those intermediate crossings that are less than a 10 car train length from those adjoining.

Caltrains predecessor, the SP, was never of mind to agitate the local cities into improving the station sites as they were trying to exit the passenger traffic business anyway.

Since then, the continued lack of municipal planning has gotten them into this situation. The rest of us state taxpayers, who likely will never set foot on the SF peninsula, will get fleeced to pay for these new separations and street closings.  Most costs are likely to be disguised in the ineptly managed SF-LA HSR project.

[MikeF90]

Caltrain 'soldiers on' and is completing its San Mateo bridge replacement program:

http://www.caltrain.com/projectsplans/Projects/Caltrain_Capital_Program/San_Mateo_Bridges_Replacement_Project.html

Four 100 y/o bridges are being replaced to improve seismic safety (the excuse). Track spacing will be increased, and three of them will have road clearances increased to reduce the possibility of vehicle collisions.

All of the improvements on the peninsula ROW are aimed at compatibility with electrification in the near future, however construction of the critical new segment from 4th and King Station to the new TTC has not yet begun.