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Discussion related to commuter rail and transit operators in California past and present including Los Angeles Metrolink and Metro Subway and Light Rail, San Diego Coaster, Sprinter and MTS Trolley, Altamont Commuter Express (Stockton), Caltrain and MUNI (San Francisco), Sacramento RTD Light Rail, and others...

Moderator: lensovet

 #1452790  by electricron
 
Regular steel rusts quickly and needs to be painted to prevent rust. Stainless steel doesn’t rust quickly and does not need to be painted to prevent rust. Many of Caltrain cars are made with stainless steel, that’s why they are not painted.
 #1452838  by Ryand-Smith
 
I should get some pictures. In this picture, Here The second caltrain car isn't painted red and instead blue and white. It looks almost like it came from the factory. Is there a reason for this?
 #1452843  by Backshophoss
 
Not aware of any car swapping between Metrolink (SCAX)and Caltrain(JPBX),all the BBD "Sausage" cars are painted from the factory
Second car might be leased from Metrolink(SCAX)
 #1452848  by NorthWest
 
Caltrain has purchased several cars from Metrolink, who no longer allows them to lead for collision fears. That car is still in Metrolink colors.
 #1452850  by electricron
 
Those are Bombardier built BiLevel cars which use regular steel, therefore all of them are painted to prevent rust. The second car in the photo was originally used by Metrolink in Southern California, and is still painted in Metrolink livery - with Metrolink's text and logo removed. Eventually those cars will get repainted, by whomever buys them, when Caltrain's new Stadler built BiLevel EMUs enter service, or if they last a little longer, when Caltrain retires them. Which might explain why Caltrain hasn't repainted that one in the wrong livery yet.
Last edited by electricron on Sat Dec 09, 2017 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.