Railfanning Caltrain by train

[ST214]

Hi,

I will be coming out in May on the Cal Zephyer. Will be out there for a few days, and would like to get pics of Caltrain, Amtrak, and whatever freights operate in the area. however, i have a few questions. When answering, please remember i will not have a car, and can only get around by Caltrain/BART/Amtrak.

1. Awhile ago, i saw some street running with the Amtrak California equipment, and it mentioned a station....where is this?

2. Where is the best place(scenery, maybe something near a grade crossing to record some horns) to photograph on Caltrain. If there are several, i will move around.

3. Do Caltrain units face San Jose or San Francisco? This will detirmine if i set up for morning rush hour or evening rush hour(i'd rather get shots of loco's leading, but will take cabcars too).

4. Any freight moving on Caltrain tracks?

5. Any freight trains run through the San Jose station? I am going there at least long enough to get a few pics of ACE.

6. I know Amtrak runs on a UP line from Emeryville down to San Jose....how many freights move thru here during the daylight? how many at night?

7. Are there any stations that Caltrain and Amtrak run through together?

8. Are there any nearby lines that i've missed?

I would appreciate any and all help! Thanks in advance!

[Fan Railer]

1. It's the Oakland Amtrak station

[ST214]

Oakland Jack London, or Oakland Coliseum?

1. It's the Oakland Amtrak station

[Kaback9]

Jack London.

[timz]

In case you're not familiar with the layout--

Everything (thru freight and passenger) south out of Oakland passes thru the Jack London Square station and continues to Elmhurst http://tinyurl.com/b9sknh where most? thru freights split off to the SW on a sort-of parallel line to Newark http://tinyurl.com/c5mlzu where they rejoin the passenger trains to run to Santa Clara http://tinyurl.com/b4udjv where the line from Oakland to San Jose joins the Caltrain line from San Francisco to San Jose.

An ACE train leaving San Jose runs to Santa Clara and Newark along with the Capitols-- then at Niles http://tinyurl.com/brr2mj the ACE splits to the NE while the Capitols turn NW toward Hayward and Oakland.

Caltrain units are on the San Jose end of the train. If you want to record whistling you should consider San Mateo; hopefully you can be there during rush hour and get an express passing the several crossings at 75 mph or so. Note that expresses run both ways during rush hour-- you've seen the timetable?

There is a bit of freight on Caltrain, but somebody else will have to tell you the pattern. They all? go on duty at the yard at South San Francisco. Thru freight runs from Santa Clara thru the San Jose depot on the easternmost track.

[ST214]

Awesome....thanks!

I see about the reverse express trains. Shore Line East in CT does this also to position equipment...

Wheras i would be bouncing around(and plan on riding the SF-SJ stretch) i assume i would do best getting a daypass for 4 zones, right? I assume this works like the pass on METRA, where you show it to the conductor and that's that. Also, i would not have to worry about constantally buying tickets, since i see there are no on-board sales(here, there are no ticket vendors....go figure!).

At least they didn't ruin your F40's by putting grates over the windows....It will be a refreshing change to photograph F40PH's without "Ghetto Grille's" as we call them.

In case you're not familiar with the layout--

Everything (thru freight and passenger) south out of Oakland passes thru the Jack London Square station and continues to Elmhurst http://tinyurl.com/b9sknh where most? thru freights split off to the SW on a sort-of parallel line to Newark http://tinyurl.com/c5mlzu where they rejoin the passenger trains to run to Santa Clara http://tinyurl.com/b4udjv where the line from Oakland to San Jose joins the Caltrain line from San Francisco to San Jose.

An ACE train leaving San Jose runs to Santa Clara and Newark along with the Capitols-- then at Niles http://tinyurl.com/brr2mj the ACE splits to the NE while the Capitols turn NW toward Hayward and Oakland.

Caltrain units are on the San Jose end of the train. If you want to record whistling you should consider San Mateo; hopefully you can be there during rush hour and get an express passing the several crossings at 75 mph or so. Note that expresses run both ways during rush hour-- you've seen the timetable?

There is a bit of freight on Caltrain, but somebody else will have to tell you the pattern. They all? go on duty at the yard at South San Francisco. Thru freight runs from Santa Clara thru the San Jose depot on the easternmost track.

[modorney]

All good advice! What hotel are you staying at?

Print yourself a Muni, Samtrans, VTA, AC transit and All-nighter (bus) map, they may come in handy. Better yet, since you have time, request them and they will mail them out.

The three best places - Oakland JLS, Santa Clara and Centerville.

Are you going to be here May 16?

[ST214]

Unsure of where i'm staying yet.....i've got a couple places in mind.....Looking at Hayward...the day i leave i can board a Capitol Corridor train to Emeryville and have about an hour and a half before the Zephyer leaves....

Will not be there May 16th....will be in CHI that day.

All good advice! What hotel are you staying at?

Print yourself a Muni, Samtrans, VTA, AC transit and All-nighter (bus) map, they may come in handy. Better yet, since you have time, request them and they will mail them out.

The three best places - Oakland JLS, Santa Clara and Centerville.

Are you going to be here May 16?

[timz]

i assume i would do best getting a daypass for 4 zones, right? I assume this works like the pass on METRA

Daypass Zone 1 thru Zone 4 is definitely what you want. Caltrain is POP-- unlike METRA?-- meaning you buy the pass, but the trainman may or may not ask to see it. So don't feel like you have to search him out.

You know about the two two-mile stretches of "four-track main"? They make Bayshore and Lawrence likely spots for pics.

Dunno if you can rent a bicycle at that shop next to the San Francisco station-- if you can, you might want to do that and take it on the train with you. The bike car is the north car which is where you'll want to be anyway, since the railfan window is still available on the gallery cars. (Not the Bombardiers, tho.)

And of course a bike would be handy for some San Francisco sightseeing.

[modorney]

> 3. Do Caltrain units face San Jose or San Francisco?
F40's are usually on the south end. But trains with lozenge cars (Bombardier) have the loco on the north end?
It seems to have something to do with the handicapped access, bathroom, etc.

> 4. Any freight moving on Caltrain tracks?
Mostly at night? But I'm no expert.

> 6. I know Amtrak runs on a UP line from Emeryville down to San Jose....how many freights move thru here during the daylight? how many at night?
The economy is slow, but you should see at least a dozen, plus a few light power moves.

> 7. Are there any stations that Caltrain and Amtrak run through together?
Diridon, Santa Clara (which has a nice model railroad)

> 8. Are there any nearby lines that i've missed?
Don't forget the Capitol Corridor Trains. Take one to Sacramento and check out the fine train museum.
Anybody out here want to schlep this fine gentleman to Portola?

[timz]

Ordinarily all Caltrains have the power on the south end-- I'd say that means 99%+ of them.

[ST214]

I don't think i'm gonna make it to Sacramento or Portola on this trip....i will go back out there one day, but on this trip, i onlt have 3 days to work with, and i want to see the Golden Gate bridge in person. I plan on doing pretty much a whole day on Caltrain since i hear of all these spots, plus the pass is good all day....gotta make good use of it.

Another question i have is will i be harassed if i walk to the end of a platform in SF to get pics of trains in the station? How about any other places?

When is the Model RR open? I model Conrail myself at the club i belong to. This also brings up another question....any good hobby stores in the area for HO scale?

> 3. Do Caltrain units face San Jose or San Francisco?
F40's are usually on the south end. But trains with lozenge cars (Bombardier) have the loco on the north end?
It seems to have something to do with the handicapped access, bathroom, etc.

> 4. Any freight moving on Caltrain tracks?
Mostly at night? But I'm no expert.

> 6. I know Amtrak runs on a UP line from Emeryville down to San Jose....how many freights move thru here during the daylight? how many at night?
The economy is slow, but you should see at least a dozen, plus a few light power moves.

> 7. Are there any stations that Caltrain and Amtrak run through together?
Diridon, Santa Clara (which has a nice model railroad)

> 8. Are there any nearby lines that i've missed?
Don't forget the Capitol Corridor Trains. Take one to Sacramento and check out the fine train museum.
Anybody out here want to schlep this fine gentleman to Portola?

[modorney]

As far as train stores:
The Train Shop, Santa Clara, CA - good tools and books
Just Trains, Concord, CA - huge inventory
Franciscan Hobbies, SF, CA - transit-friendly
Hobbies Unlimited, San Lorenzo, CA - friendly staff & DCC advice
Berkeley Ace Hardware, Berkeley, CA - tons of stuff
Feather River Trains, Marin County, CA - N scale mostly, but good store.
Chan's Trains, SF - buzz the door to get in.
Tinplate Junction, Oakland, CA - has some HO too

(this is from an old post from a few years back).

Three clubs come to mind -
http://www.sbhrs.org/ (Santa Clara - in the depot)
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/ (San Jose)
http://www.wcmrs.org/ (Walnut Creek)

I'm sure there are more - http://www.railsusa.com/links/Model_Rai ... ore17.html

[ST214]

Awesome, thanks!! I have some research to do next weekend....

I now have my tickets on my desk, so it's now a definate that i will be out there!

As far as train stores:
The Train Shop, Santa Clara, CA - good tools and books
Just Trains, Concord, CA - huge inventory
Franciscan Hobbies, SF, CA - transit-friendly
Hobbies Unlimited, San Lorenzo, CA - friendly staff & DCC advice
Berkeley Ace Hardware, Berkeley, CA - tons of stuff
Feather River Trains, Marin County, CA - N scale mostly, but good store.
Chan's Trains, SF - buzz the door to get in.
Tinplate Junction, Oakland, CA - has some HO too

(this is from an old post from a few years back).

Three clubs come to mind -
http://www.sbhrs.org/ (Santa Clara - in the depot)
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/ (San Jose)
http://www.wcmrs.org/ (Walnut Creek)

I'm sure there are more - http://www.railsusa.com/links/Model_Rai ... ore17.html

[lensovet]

...
Another question i have is will i be harassed if i walk to the end of a platform in SF to get pics of trains in the station? How about any other places?
...

I have taken pictures at various locations in and around Caltrain stations and have never had any problems. Keep in my mind that Caltrain doesn't even have any official enforcement body – if something happens, a Caltrain staff member calls the local police for "help."