by MetraRy
Part 1
I decided to get some great train riding time in while recently visiting San Francisco. My first train ride of the trip was on Caltrain. I boarded at the Sunnyvale stop which is located in zone 3. I purchased a day pass from Sunnyvale to San Francisco from a ticket agent . Caltrain, a couple of years ago switched to a proof of payment system which requires passengers to purchase tickets from vending machines located along platforms, and validate 10 ride tickets by swiping them threw special machines located along the platforms. Sunnyvale is unique in that it still retains a ticket agent. Sunnyvale is a new station and it is built as part of a 4 story commuter parking complex. It is very modern and in my opinion quite ugly. After purchasing my day pass I cross over to the inbound side. While waiting for my train a Baby Bullet train set pulls in on the outbound track. The train is 4 cars and is lead by engine 924. This train however stops as it is running a local train schedule.
The bullet barley clears the platform as my train pulls in. It is made up of 5 gallery cars. I board the car closest to the locomotive and settle down for the ride to the city. Caltrain’s gallery cars seats all face the vestibule and you are unable to turn them. The seats have high backs, cup holders, and arm rest. The car provide to be extremely bumpy and rather uncomfortable. I noticed at this time that Caltrain is really updating the route and stations along the way. In fact I saw very few stations untouched. All are very clean and up kept. Caltrain deserves a well down for that. Caltrain is also working to remove center platforms from stations and construct 2 new side platforms to eliminate the hold out rule. We arrive in San Francisco 5 minutes early and I disembark and walk to the head house. Which is very bright and clean. I decide at this time to meet some family at fisherman’s Warf.
I locate the Muni light rail line next to the station and purchase a ticket and follow the signs that say f-line to fisherman’s Warf. 2 outbounds pull in and one comes back. I board the first car of the 4 car light rail vehicle. I am enjoying my ride as we speed down the center of the road that goes to the Warf.
All of the sudden I notice that we are no longer following the road but going into a tunnel. I realize that I am on the wrong train and I run off it at the first stop in the subway. Dumbfounded I what for the next out bound to the first stop out of the subway. 3 trains come, but they only go as far as Embarcadero, the station that I am at. Finally a train destined for the aboveground world approaches. I once again board the first car. I get of at the next stop and call my uncle for directions. He tells me to walk down the bay a little way to I see a historic street car line and that will take me to the Warf. I find it and board car number 1814 for a quite ride to my destination. I ask the motorman how I could have possibly gotten lost. He then told me while signs, stations, and track were in place that part of the f-line is not opened yet and currently only subway light rail trains serve the station.
My trip home was much easier as I got a ride to the caltrain station. Once there I board the 5 car baby bullet train for a super express ride to mountain view. Boy, these trains are packed. Caltrain sure gots a good thing going. I was there fifteen minutes before departure and there was only a couple of seats left on the whole train. The tri levels are very comfortable and the seat I was seating at had a table that came in handy. My trip ended at Mountain View a popular station that has recently been redone in a old style. It is very nice.
I decided to get some great train riding time in while recently visiting San Francisco. My first train ride of the trip was on Caltrain. I boarded at the Sunnyvale stop which is located in zone 3. I purchased a day pass from Sunnyvale to San Francisco from a ticket agent . Caltrain, a couple of years ago switched to a proof of payment system which requires passengers to purchase tickets from vending machines located along platforms, and validate 10 ride tickets by swiping them threw special machines located along the platforms. Sunnyvale is unique in that it still retains a ticket agent. Sunnyvale is a new station and it is built as part of a 4 story commuter parking complex. It is very modern and in my opinion quite ugly. After purchasing my day pass I cross over to the inbound side. While waiting for my train a Baby Bullet train set pulls in on the outbound track. The train is 4 cars and is lead by engine 924. This train however stops as it is running a local train schedule.
The bullet barley clears the platform as my train pulls in. It is made up of 5 gallery cars. I board the car closest to the locomotive and settle down for the ride to the city. Caltrain’s gallery cars seats all face the vestibule and you are unable to turn them. The seats have high backs, cup holders, and arm rest. The car provide to be extremely bumpy and rather uncomfortable. I noticed at this time that Caltrain is really updating the route and stations along the way. In fact I saw very few stations untouched. All are very clean and up kept. Caltrain deserves a well down for that. Caltrain is also working to remove center platforms from stations and construct 2 new side platforms to eliminate the hold out rule. We arrive in San Francisco 5 minutes early and I disembark and walk to the head house. Which is very bright and clean. I decide at this time to meet some family at fisherman’s Warf.
I locate the Muni light rail line next to the station and purchase a ticket and follow the signs that say f-line to fisherman’s Warf. 2 outbounds pull in and one comes back. I board the first car of the 4 car light rail vehicle. I am enjoying my ride as we speed down the center of the road that goes to the Warf.
All of the sudden I notice that we are no longer following the road but going into a tunnel. I realize that I am on the wrong train and I run off it at the first stop in the subway. Dumbfounded I what for the next out bound to the first stop out of the subway. 3 trains come, but they only go as far as Embarcadero, the station that I am at. Finally a train destined for the aboveground world approaches. I once again board the first car. I get of at the next stop and call my uncle for directions. He tells me to walk down the bay a little way to I see a historic street car line and that will take me to the Warf. I find it and board car number 1814 for a quite ride to my destination. I ask the motorman how I could have possibly gotten lost. He then told me while signs, stations, and track were in place that part of the f-line is not opened yet and currently only subway light rail trains serve the station.
My trip home was much easier as I got a ride to the caltrain station. Once there I board the 5 car baby bullet train for a super express ride to mountain view. Boy, these trains are packed. Caltrain sure gots a good thing going. I was there fifteen minutes before departure and there was only a couple of seats left on the whole train. The tri levels are very comfortable and the seat I was seating at had a table that came in handy. My trip ended at Mountain View a popular station that has recently been redone in a old style. It is very nice.
