CalTrain bodies arrive at future Stadler US plant

[xboxtravis7992]

On my commute to work this morning, I had to pull over and check out the under construction Stadler factory here in Salt Lake City. On the new track lead into the plant are two bodies for the CalTrain KISS sets sitting outside the facility on a recently constructed spur off the Salt Lake Garfield and Western shortline to the site. It was pretty impressive seeing the KISS units here! Pretty neat seeing the CalTrain colors here in Salt Lake, even if hidden under a plastic tarp material.

Stadler has been building FLIRTS for the TexRail project in a leased space at the UTA Warm Springs shops here in town, but seeing these new units at the construction site for their new factory gives me hope we will be seeing the project finished soon. I have no clue if these units are just here for a photo shoot/press event, or if they are to do final assembly in one of the completed sections of the factory while the rest of the building is finished. I do know the shop overhead crane has been installed so maybe they might actual do some work on the KISS units there soon. All I can say is exciting times here in SLC!

[timz]

Where were the bodies built?

[xboxtravis7992]

From what I understand the components are made in other Stadler factories oversees then brought to Salt Lake for final assembly, but I don't know from were they originated. Here is one of my photos of the duo from Saturday:

[KEVIN FEENEY]

I frequently ride the RiverLine on NJT btwn Trenton and Camden NJ.  This line has had Stadler units since it opened and they work great. These are three piece- a short power car with coaches on either end.   I saw it  running doubleheaded yesterday  in Bordentown NJ.  most of the units are wrapped with ads 

[MacG]

The bodies were built at Stadler's Altenrhein factory in Switzerland. Just like the others of the 96 ordered wagons. The first double-deck train will be handed over in August 2019 and will then go into operation in 2020 after acceptance of all tests.

Stadler news release

[xboxtravis7992]

Thanks for finding that press release! Interesting it took them about a week to publish that after the car bodies had arrived at the SLC plant.

Probably going to be an interesting railfan opportunity though... 96 car bodies... only two in Salt Lake right now. That means 94 more cars to catch out on the road as they travel from Switzerland to Salt Lake City.