Caltrain has reached a new milestone in its electrification project by energising its FMC San Jose traction power substation with power from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for the first time.
This is one of the two main substations along the Caltrain corridor, the second being the East Grand substation in south San Francisco.
PG&E undertook substantial infrastructure upgrades to achieve this milestone.
This included the construction of two double-circuit 115kV transmission connections from the East Grand and FMC substations to Caltrain traction power stations in those communities.
The power company also rebuilt the East Grand and FMC substations in order to provide redundant transmission feeds.
Additional upgrades were also made to three PG&E and two third-party remote end substations.
The completion of this work means Caltrain can now run tests at its facility and along a six mile stretch of peninsula corridor between Santa Clara and San Jose.
“Availability of power will enable us to begin testing and commissioning the overhead contact system and new EMU trains.
“We want to thank PG&E for their help and coordination with this complex undertaking.”
Work on the project continues apace – just last month, Caltrain’s first electric trainset completed clearance testing along the corridor between Santa Clara and Tamien stations in San Jose, California.
As Caltrain continue with the electrification infrastructure work, the company has also begun a safety campaign to educate passengers, residents and businesses about the best safety practices along the corridor.
The electrification project is expected to reach its conclusion in 2024.
