Four F40s. With the announcement from Caltrain this week that the EMD cowl unit era is drawing to a close, a look back to September 25, 2015 when JPBX F40PH-2 (left to right) 913-908-914-902 were already in their 30th year of service, seen at the 4th and King Street Station in San Francisco, California. These units were purchased new a few years after Caltrain was formed and assumed responsibility for the commuter service from Southern Pacific in 1980. In later years the fleet had been augmented by some F40PH-2Cs and MP36PH-3Cs, but the main cause of their demise will be progress in the form of electrification. In 2016, contracts were awarded, including a car order from Stadler Rail. After delays in 2017 due to the Department of Transportation delaying funding approval, the program was back on track, and electrified passenger service is projected to begin this year.
Where once there was only one commuter carrier, Southern Pacific between San Jose and San Francisco, today there are three: Caltrain (former SP), Altamont Commuter Express, and the newest, SMART (Sonoma-Marin Rapid Transit).
