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The Grand Caltrain Electric Train Launch Party 2024
Save the Date for the Caltrain Electric Train Launch Party at the San Carlos Train Station!
Get ready, San Carlos! Caltrain is electrifying its services, and we’re throwing a celebration – the Caltrain Electric Train Launch Party – you won’t want to miss! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21st, and come celebrate this exciting milestone with us.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: San Carlos Train Station
What to Expect:
- Free Coffee & Treats: Kick off your morning with a cup of coffee from the amazing local business Papachay Peruvian Coffee. Don’t forget to grab a delicious baked good from Made Out of Dough, but make sure you come early—treats are first-come, first-served!.
- Free Electric Train Rides: Caltrain will offer free rides throughout the weekend with service every 30 minutes, including an additional roundtrip train between Gilroy and San Jose on Saturday, September 21. See the full weekend schedule to plan your trip.
- Raffle Promo: “Explore, Stamp, Win!” – Pick up an event “passport” at any participating stations and attend at least two events for a chance to win raffle prizes at the Palo Alto and San Mateo community celebrations! Raffles will take place at both of the large events, Palo Alto on Saturday and San Mateo on Sunday. Two event stamps must be included from the large event and winners must be present to win.
Other Station Events:
The Caltrain Electric Train Launch Party will happen all across the Bay Area. Check out the events below!
Main Events
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Palo Alto Station, 2-6pm
95 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301
RSVP for Palo Alto Event
Sunday, September 22, 2024
San Mateo Station, 2-6pm
385 1st Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
RSVP for San Mateo Event
Events
- Free Caltrain Rides
- Community Performances
- Community Booths
- Photobooth
- Food Trucks
- Games
- Giveaways
Other Station Events
Saturday, September 21, 2024
South San Francisco Station, 9am
Karyl Matsumoto Plaza Dedication
Erik Jekabson Jazz Quintet
Free Coffee and Pastries (while supplies last)
San Jose Diridon Station, 10am-2pm
Remarks from Mayor Matt Mahan and Councilmember and Caltrain Board Chair Dev Davis
San Jose Culture Night Market
Santa Clara Station, 10am-1:30pm
Train Storytime and Railfanning with Southbay Historical Rail Society
Gilroy Station, 11am-12:30pm
City Information
Free Snacks and Drinks
San Carlos Station, 11:30am-1pm
City Information Booth and Giveaways
Free Coffee and Baked Goods
Mountain View Station, 1pm-1:45pm
Train Naming Event with Congresswoman Eshoo
Train departs Mountain View at 1:46pm
Redwood City Station, 1pm-2pm
Remarks by Redwood City Mayor and Caltrain Board Member Jeff Gee
Free Kona Ice (while supplies last)
Community Resources
Redwood City Public Library Booth
Palo Alto Station, 2pm-6pm
Caltrain Community Celebration
RSVP HERE
Palo Alto After Party, 6pm-9pm at MacArthur Park
Music
Food & Drinks (non-hosted)
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Mountain View Station, 9am-1pm
Farmers Market
Electric Slide Flash Mob Dance
Millbrae Station, 10am-1pm
Refreshments
City Resources
Millbrae Train Museum
Sunnyvale Station, 10am-1pm
Refreshments
City Resources
Menlo Park Station, 11am-1pm
The Waffle Roost Food Truck
Free Bliss Popsicles (while supplies last)
Hosted by Menlo Park Springline
San Francisco Station, 11:30am-1:20pm
California High Speed Rail and Transbay Joint Powers Board Authority Information and Giveaways
Free Coffee and Pastries (while supplies last)
Electric Train Chalk Art
Belmont Station, 12pm-2pm
Local Business Information
Fire Truck Display
Public Works Vehicle Showcase
Games
Free Mister Softee Ice Cream (while supplies last)
Bayshore Station, 1pm-1:30pm
Remarks from Brisbane Mayor Terry O’Connell
City Information and Giveaways
San Bruno Station, 1pm-2pm
Ride to the San Mateo Station for Festivities (train departs at 1:43pm)
Burlingame Station, 1pm-2pm
Remarks from Mayor Donna Colson
Burlingame and Caltrain Table
Free Train Cookies (while supplies last)
San Mateo Station, 2pm-6pm
Caltrain Community Celebration
RSVP HERE
RSVP & More Information:
To learn more about the event, head to caltrain.com/launchparty for additional details. Don’t forget to spread the word—bring your friends, family, and neighbors to this fun, community-driven event.
Let’s come together to celebrate progress, innovation, and a cleaner tomorrow!
See you there!
About the Project
Caltrain is committed to ushering in a cleaner, greener, and faster era with the groundbreaking Caltrain Electrification project. By fall 2024, passengers can expect to experience cutting-edge electric train service and upgraded amenities. This ambitious project aims to revitalize the historic corridor, transitioning it from diesel to electric power and improving service and accessibility for all riders, thereby modernizing a corridor that has served commuters for nearly 160 years.
Electric Trains
As part of the Caltrain Electrification initiative, Caltrain is acquiring state-of-the-art electric trains to replace its current diesel locomotives. These new trains will significantly improve the speed, capacity, safety, and comfort of Caltrain’s commuter rail service while also lowering emissions and contributing to improved air quality.
See how the the state-of-the-art electric trains look inside with an immersive virtual reality experience.
Enhanced Amenities
The new electric trains will be state-of-the art vehicles with many enhanced amenities over the current diesel fleet.
EMU Plugs Plentiful Power Sources
The new trains will feature power sources at every fixed seat to ensure riders can stay connected and fully-charged throughout their ride.
EMU Sign Onboard Displays With Trip Information
Digital signage aboard the new trains will make it easier for riders to know their current location and which stations are coming up next.
EMU Bathrooms Restrooms
There will be one ADA-compliant restroom per train. Caltrain worked with its Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure the design of onboard restrooms is safe and comfortable. Each restroom will feature a baby-changing station.
EMU Storage Storage Spaces
Due to the cantilevered seat design, there will be more space under each seat to stow your belongings. The new trains will also feature overhead storage space for additional passenger belongings.
Seats
A typical passenger car layout will have two main levels with between 85 and 100 seats per car. There will be some flip seats, in addition to the regular fixed seats. Most seats will face one direction and if there are any seats facing each other, there will be a table in the middle. The new train seats are designed for maximum comfort, access and durability.
Bikes
There will be two dedicated bike cars per seven-car trainset that will be well marked. Each bike car will have a lower, mid, and upper level, with bike storage on the lower level. Security cameras will be posted in each bike car to enhance security. The electric trains will maintain 72 bike spaces in the two bike cars while increasing the number of seats to 14 total (original design was 6 seats total).
Delivery Plan
Initially, Caltrain will replace approximately 75 percent of the diesel fleet with new electric trains, which would operate between San Francisco and San Jose. Full replacement of the fleet with electric trains would occur at a future time when funding is identified and the remaining diesel trains reach the end of their service life.
See other interesting events in San Carlos. You may also check the main calendar for the dates of these, or to save them on your personal calendar.
About San Carlos
About Mark and Viv
Mark Martinho and Viv Kelvin are the owners of Vabrato Real Estate
