Photo: Caltrain

Caltrain, the 160-year-old San Francisco to San Jose rail corridor, has ditched diesel and is now fully electric.

This makes Caltrain’s zero-emission service from San Francisco to San Jose the first diesel-to-electric transition in North America in a generation. To celebrate, Caltrain is offering free rides this weekend on its new half-hourly weekend service, and it’s hosting events at every city along the corridor.

The new electric service is also faster and more frequent. During peak hours, trains will run every 15 to 20 minutes at 16 stations along the corridor. Express service from San Francisco to San Jose will take less than an hour, and weekend service will be twice as frequent as before.

Each trainset will have seven cars instead of the previous five to six. The new electric trains accelerate and decelerate faster than the diesel fleet, allowing more frequent stops in the same amount of time.

The trains were built by Stadler US at their facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. After they were assembled, they were sent to a test facility in Pueblo, Colorado. where they were tested at high speeds under numerous conditions as required by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The new electric trains are not just better for the environment; they’re also a big upgrade for passengers. Riders can now enjoy perks such as free wifi, more seat power outlets, and expanded under-seat storage. Plus, the ride is much quieter.

Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi. The Electrification Project is fully funded by federal, state, and local partners.