Is Cal Train buying old Sounders and repainted them as their own??
LAst weekends we took a road trip up to Frisco and in San Jose and Frisco, there were one each, Sounder cars. (the ones that look like our Metrolinks in SoCal) Then at Frisco, we saw behind an old car, a freshly painted NICE car like those Sounders...So Im wondering are they buying what Sounder doesnt want or are they checking them out and considering buying new ones?
Those old Caltrain cars are junky!!!!!!!!
Posted by irishchieftain (Member # 1473) on :
Those Metrolink-like cars started with GO Transit up in Toronto, Canada (GO standing for "Government of Ontario"). I've never been on one, but they look like the best low-platform equipment out there...people like VRE, Tri-Rail, Trinity Railway Express (Dallas, TX) are all embracing them. (Maybe Metra will be next...?)
Incidentally, what happened with the planned electrification of CalTrain? If it's still going ahead, then the days of these push-pull cars may be numbered, if CalTrain chooses to go with faster electric MU trains...
Posted by Buslady (Member # 1266) on :
quote:Originally posted by irishchieftain: Those Metrolink-like cars started with GO Transit up in Toronto, Canada (GO standing for "Government of Ontario"). I've never been on one, but they look like the best low-platform equipment out there...people like VRE, Tri-Rail, Trinity Railway Express (Dallas, TX) are all embracing them. (Maybe Metra will be next...?)
Incidentally, what happened with the planned electrification of CalTrain? If it's still going ahead, then the days of these push-pull cars may be numbered, if CalTrain chooses to go with faster electric MU trains...
I dunno about any electricfication, I just saw those cool commuter cars(they are nice comparing to the old CalTrain cars) w/ the new paint and they look great. I think they're made by Bombadier?
I know that they're working on the light rail in San Jose, it's going up to the station. That will be cool when that's done. I wish they'd get some kind of light rail down here!
Posted by barrydraper (Member # 737) on :
The new Bombardier Cal Train cars aren't exactly "old" Sounders. They were purchased by Sounder, but due to delays in start up Sounder didn't need them, so sold them to Cal Train. They are new, and most are being painted into the red and silver paint at the factory.
Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :
Buslady,
The CalTrain cars may be old, but are they really junky? I liked riding them while on occasional trips to the San Jose area...not as slick and smooth as Metrolink, but the CalTrain cars really felt like a train while flying thru Sunnyvale...
(As for light rail, do you not like the Blue Line? Not the most inviting neighborhoods, but it is a good ride. And if all goes per plan, the Gold Line to Pasadena will open next year, starting at Union Station).
MP
Posted by atsf3751 (Member # 1538) on :
Metrolink's Bombardier cars are quite nice - very spacious and comfortable with high seating capacity at the same time. The design was well thought-out.
Posted by Buslady (Member # 1266) on :
Maybe it just the track giving it a bad ride. The train never really gets moving, too many stops.....Im used to the Surfliner and going 75 or whatever it does. oh well...I'd still ride it when im up there!
I wish the Centerline here in ORCo would begin construction!!
quote:Originally posted by MPALMER: Buslady,
The CalTrain cars may be old, but are they really junky? I liked riding them while on occasional trips to the San Jose area...not as slick and smooth as Metrolink, but the CalTrain cars really felt like a train while flying thru Sunnyvale...
(As for light rail, do you not like the Blue Line? Not the most inviting neighborhoods, but it is a good ride. And if all goes per plan, the Gold Line to Pasadena will open next year, starting at Union Station).
