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| country =
| owner = [[Caltrain]]
| key_people =
| established = {{Start date|2002|04|04}} (contract award)
|
| funding =
| budget = US$110 million
| current_status =
| website = {{URL|caltrain.com/news_ctx_fact_sheet.html}}<br/>([https://web.archive.org/web/20030412162846/http://caltrain.com/news_ctx_fact_sheet.html Archived] Apr 12, 2003)
}}
The '''Caltrain Express Program''' ('''CTX''')
==History==
Line 55 ⟶ 54:
[[File:Bayshore Station 3227 15.JPG|thumb|North overtake quad-track section just south of Tunnel #4, north of the [[Bayshore station (Caltrain)|Bayshore platform]]]]
Caltrain split the CTX project into two separate phases, based on geographic region. The North CTX extended from San Francisco to Redwood City, and the South CTX spanned the tracks from Menlo Park to Santa Clara.<ref name=FactSheet>{{cite web |url=http://caltrain.com/info_projects_CTXfacts.html |title=CTX Fact Sheet |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020809022350/http://caltrain.com/info_projects_CTXfacts.html |archive-date=9 August 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The North CTX contract was awarded in April 2002 to the joint venture partnership of [[Herzog Contracting Corporation]] and [[Stacy & Witbeck]] (Herzog-Stacy-Witbeck).<ref name=Cal-0204>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com:80/news_CTX_contract.html |title=Caltrain Board Awards North CTX Improvement Contract |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015041248/http://www.caltrain.com/news_CTX_contract.html |archive-date=15 October 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Herzog-Stacy-Witbeck also won the South CTX contract, as announced in January 2003.<ref name=Cal-0301>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_south_ctx.html |title=Southern Caltrain Construction Set to Begin |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=January 2003 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318015350/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_south_ctx.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The key elements of CTX were the overtake tracks, high-speed crossovers, and a central traffic control system which collectively allowed a single office to route trains.<ref name=Cal-0303>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_construction_continues.html |title=Staying on Track for the Future: Caltrain Construction Continues |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 2003 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318015120/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_construction_continues.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> To support smoother operation at higher sustained speeds, Caltrain also laid down continuous-welded rails.<ref name=Cal-0208>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com:80/news_media_advisory.html |title=Caltrain Tracks to be Ripped Out |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015035823/http://www.caltrain.com/news_media_advisory.html |archive-date=15 October 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Station rebuilds===
During the CTX project, Caltrain rebuilt the [[Bayshore station (Caltrain)|Bayshore station]], relocating it slightly south of the prior ___location to accommodate the north quad track overtake section ending just south of Tunnel #4. This moved nearly all of the Bayshore station out of the City and County of [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] and broke a planned intermodal connection to the [[Third Street Light Rail Project]], the first expansion phase of the [[Muni Metro]] light rail system, which was building tracks down [[Third Street (San Francisco)|Third Street]]. The new [[T Third Street]] line, which opened in 2007, terminates at [[Sunnydale Station]] as Muni Metro has never built any tracks in [[San Mateo County]], and a planned {{convert|0.5|mi|adj=on}} loop extension to Bayshore was studied in 2012.<ref>{{cite report |url=http://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/content/Planning/Bayshore/Bayshore_final_report.pdf |title=Bayshore Intermodal Station Access Study |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=March 2012 |publisher=San Francisco County Transportation Authority |accessdate=26 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bayshore-Station-envisioned-as-vibrant-transit-hub-3451733.php |title=Bayshore Station envisioned as vibrant transit hub |author=Wildermuth, John |date=28 April 2014 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=26 March 2017}}</ref> A small rail bridge south of Bayshore was built over a creek as part of CTX.<ref name=Cal-0211 />
The [[Lawrence station (Caltrain)|Lawrence
The [[Millbrae station]] also received some upgrades; a third track was added and existing tracks were relocated, requiring Caltrain to demolish the existing platform.<ref name=Cal-0209>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com:80/news_north_ctx.html |title=North CTX Construction Moving Faster than Expected |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=September 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015041020/http://www.caltrain.com/news_north_ctx.html |archive-date=15 October 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Millbrae station updates were scheduled to complete with the opening of the new intermodal station in January 2003.<ref name=Cal-0209 />
===Track upgrades (overtakes, crossovers, and traffic control)===
[[File:Sunnyvale four tracks (33608468046).jpg|thumb|upright|South overtake quad-track section south of [[Sunnyvale station|Sunnyvale]]]]
CTX added quad-track overtake sections near the cities of [[Brisbane, California|Brisbane]] and [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]].<ref name=SFC-040601 /><ref name=SFC-040403 /><ref name=BRA-0412>{{cite news |url=http://www.bayrailalliance.org/newsletter/2004/2004-3dec_sot.pdf |title=Caltrain CTX and Baby Bullets boos Ridership 17% |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=December 2004 |newspaper=Staying on Track |publisher=BayRail Alliance |accessdate=26 March 2017}}</ref> During the initial design phase, overtakes were also announced for [[Millbrae, California|Millbrae]] and [[Redwood City, California|Redwood City]].<ref name=SFC-011119>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Fast-train-to-San-Jose-may-boost-L-A-bullet-2853206.php |title=Fast train to San Jose may boost L.A. bullet / Caltrain commuter seen as a first step |author=Gathright, Alan |date=19 November 2001 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=25 March 2017}}</ref> Millbrae gained a third track, and Redwood City added two sidings near [[Redwood Junction]], approximately {{convert|1.2|mi}} between Chestnut Street and Fifth Avenue.<ref name=FactSheet /> From north to south, the completed quad-track overtake sections are:<ref name=FactSheet />
# '''Brisbane''', approximately {{convert|2|mi}} between Candlestick Cove and Tunnel #4 (overlaps Bayshore Station)
# '''Sunnyvale''', approximately {{convert|2|mi}} between Fair Oaks and Bowers (overlaps Lawrence Station)
CTX also included crossover switches, which improved operating flexibility to allow trains to bypass stalled trains,<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_detour.html |title=Caltrain Track Work to Require Detour in San Mateo |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=April 2003 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318015044/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_detour.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Cal-0308>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_ctx_construction_project.html |title=Signal a "Go" for Caltrain Thanks to CTX Construction Project |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=August 2003 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318015343/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2003_ctx_construction_project.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a centralized traffic control (CTC) system, which allowed track signaling and switching operations to be handled from a single facility in San Jose, rather than relying on dispatched crews throwing manual switches.<ref name=Almanac /><ref name=Cal-0208 /><ref name=Cal-0303 /><ref name=Cal-0308 /> Prior to CTX, trains typically had to stop and de-board operators and conductors, who would throw switches by hand.<ref name=Cal-0405 /> Although CTC was already partially implemented near the two main terminals at San Francisco and [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], CTX added CTC throughout the route, and 12 signal bridges were added to the line in total.<ref name=Cal-0308 />
By November 2002, Caltrain had rebuilt {{convert|5900|ft}} of track as part of the North CTX project, which included conversion to continuous welded rail and replacement of wooden ties with concrete ties.<ref name=Cal-0211>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2002_16th_street.html |title=North CTX Construction to Shutdown 16th Street Near Tracks |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=November 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318013721/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2002_16th_street.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Full-speed testing of track upgrades occurred over two weekends in May 2004, just before the Baby Bullet service started in June.<ref name=SFC-040514>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Speedy-baby-bullet-trains-ready-to-roll-2759438.php |title=Speedy baby bullet trains ready to roll |author=Heredia, Christopher |date=14 May 2004 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=26 March 2017}}</ref> Crews and central control practiced overtaking slower trains and routing around delays induced by disabled trains.<ref name=SFC-040514 /><ref name=Cal-0405 />
===Stops and scheduling===
Baby Bullet service launched in June 2004 with ten trains per weekday, which made only four intermediate stops between [[San Francisco 4th and King Street
{{blockquote |text=This cuts my commute so much that it's faster than driving. |author=Scott Hofmeister |source=Inaugural day interview with San Francisco-to-Mountain View commuter, June 7, 2004<ref name=SFC-040608 />}}
The revised schedule was the product of more than two hundred iterations, and added ten trains per weekday without increasing staffing because equipment was being used more efficiently.<ref name=Cal-050315>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2005_3_15_transforming_caltrain.html |title=Transforming Caltrain: From Caterpillar to Butterfly in Three Easy Steps |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 March 2005 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318015702/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2005_3_15_transforming_caltrain.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, mid-day (off-peak) service was reduced at seven stations; trains used to stop every half hour, but the mid-day headway changed to every hour at 22nd Street, [[Bayshore station (Caltrain)|Bayshore]], [[South San Francisco station (Caltrain)|South San Francisco]], [[Broadway station (Caltrain)|Broadway]], [[Hayward Park station|Hayward Park]], [[Redwood City station|Redwood City]], [[Atherton station|Atherton]], and [[Tamien station|Tamien]].<ref name=SFC-040514 />
Riders to stations not served by Baby Bullet service complained their commute times increased because their trains slowed to allow Baby Bullets to overtake.<ref name=SFC-040707>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Baby-Bullet-fast-track-if-you-can-catch-it-2743457.php |title=OPINION: Baby Bullet – fast track (if you can catch it) |author=Ringham, Arthur |date=7 July 2004 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=25 March 2017}}</ref> Clem Tillier noted ridership at stations not served by Baby Bullets continued to be depressed in the years following CTX implementation,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://caltrain-hsr.blogspot.com/2011/12/baby-bullet-effect.html |title=The Baby Bullet Effect |author=Tillier, Clem |date=18 December 2011 |website=Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog |accessdate=27 March 2017}}</ref> and that elimination of Baby Bullet service under a planned 76-train schedule actually improved service quality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://caltrain-hsr.blogspot.com/2011/04/mind-service-gap.html |title=Mind The Service Gap |author=Tillier, Clem |date=9 April 2011 |website=Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog |accessdate=27 March 2017}}</ref> Caltrain had initially proposed trimming the schedule from 86 trains per weekday to 48 trains only during peak hours to close a budget gap in 2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Caltrain-seeks-answers-to-funding-crisis-2478068.php |title=Caltrain seeks answers to funding crisis |author=Cabanatuan, Michael |date=21 January 2011 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=27 March 2017}}</ref> later refining the proposal to 76 trains per weekday and eliminating Baby Bullet service.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Caltrain-finds-funds-to-save-schedule-delays-vote-2375770.php |title=Caltrain find funds to save schedule, delays vote |author=Cabanatuan, Michael |date=7 April 2011 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=27 March 2017}}</ref> However, one-time funds were diverted from other sources and no service cuts were made in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Caltrain-plan-would-keep-services-going-1-year-2374268.php |title=Caltrain plan would keep services going 1 year |author=Cabanatuan, Michael |date=21 April 2011 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=27 March 2017}}</ref>
Line 98 ⟶ 97:
|- style="background: #ccc;"
!scope="row"|0.0
|style="font-size: 300%;" rowspan="5"|'''1'''|| style="font-size: 80%;" |[[San Francisco 4th and King Street
|Stop ||Stop
|Stop
Line 362 ⟶ 361:
In response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and loss of passenger traffic, Caltrain discontinued all weekday Baby Bullet service from Monday, March 30, 2020, to August 27, 2021, and all weekend Baby Bullet service indefinitely, starting December 12, 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.caltrain.com/about/MediaRelations/news/Caltrain_to_Implement_Additional_Weekday_Service_Reductions.html |title=Caltrain to Implement Additional Weekday Service Reductions |date=March 26, 2020 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=28 December 2020}}</ref> Weekday Baby Bullet service was restored on August 30, 2021, with twelve trains total: six northbound and six southbound, with three each during peak morning and afternoon commute hours.<ref name=TT210830/>
Effective September 21, 2024 with the
===Rolling stock===
Line 368 ⟶ 367:
PCJPB purchased the seventeen Bombardier cars (ten coaches and seven cab cars) from [[Sound Transit]],<ref name=BRA-0305 /> which oversees the Seattle-region [[Sounder commuter rail]] service. Sound Transit had ordered thirty-two cars in 1999 to be delivered in 2001 for a planned system expansion, and a combination of events, where the manufacturer completed the cars ahead of schedule and the expansion plans were unexpectedly delayed, left the cars available for Caltrain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/html/board/motions/html/motionm2001-72.html |title=Sound Transit Motion No. M2001-72 |date=9 August 2001 |publisher=Sound Transit |accessdate=25 March 2017}}</ref> The cars made their debut on June 28, 2002, during the groundbreaking ceremony that accompanied the launch of CTX; dignitaries had boarded the low-floor Bombardier cars at South San Francisco and rode up to 4th and King.<ref name=BRA-0207 /><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com:80/news_ctx_event.html |title=Caltrain Unveils New Passenger Cars at CTX Event |date=June 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021015042930/http://www.caltrain.com/news_ctx_event.html |archive-date=15 October 2002 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bombardier cars entered revenue service in October 2002.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.caltrain.com/news_2002_baby_bullet_cars.html |title=Caltrain Baby Bullet Cars Entering Service |date=October 2002 |publisher=Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board |accessdate=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318014212/http://www.caltrain.com/news_2002_baby_bullet_cars.html |archive-date=18 March 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the first year of Baby Bullet service in 2004, the five-car Bombardier consists had a capacity of only sixteen bicycles per train, and carried heavy passenger loads.<ref name=SFC-040608 />
As part of the [[Caltrain Modernization Program|2024 Caltrain electrification project]], [[Stadler KISS]] [[Electric multiple unit|EMUs]] were introduced on the line. The MP36PH-3C locomotives and BiLevel Coaches remain in service, now exclusively serving the South County Connector between San Jose Diridon and Gilroy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 August 2016 |title=Stadler wins big contract for Caltrain bilevel EMUs |url=http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2016/08/16-caltrain-stadler |magazine=Trains Magazine |access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-09 |title=Caltrain to place first electric trainsets in service |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/caltrain-to-place-first-electric-trainsets-in-service/ |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References==
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