During this phase of testing, the new low-floor trains will simulate real-world scenarios, actively pulling into stations, deploying ramps, opening and closing doors, and proceeding to the next station.
The unprecedented investment in America’s nationwide intercity passenger rail network builds on a $16.4 billion investment announced last month for 25 projects of national significance along America’s busiest rail corridor.
The inclusion of these two corridors into the program will help Virginia advance its goal of establishing an east-to-west passenger rail corridor.
The service improvements are possible because Caltrain is replacing all the aging diesel trains between San Francisco and San Jose with electric trains that provide better service performance and quality, according to the agency.
The U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition says the federal investment is a sign that “the tide has turned” for high-speed rail in America.