The BEMU will help Caltrain with its transition to a fully electrified service. Thanks to the BEMU, Caltrain will be operable with zero-emission trains on both the electrified service area of the corridor as well as the portion of the corridor from Tamien Station in San Jose to Gilroy that does not yet have overhead electrified lines.
The BEMU train, which will be purchased on a contract option with Stadler, is an EMU train with additional energy storage capacity. The BEMU will charge while the train runs on overhead power in the electrified service areas and then use battery charge to travel off-wire on non-electrified track areas.
This will lead the way for Caltrain to operate a fully zero-emission service in the future. Before this option, Caltrain would have had to use diesel trains on the non-electrified corridor.
The funding award from CalSTA also covers the cost of testing at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, and upgrades to the San Jose Central Maintenance Facility and Gilroy layover and station area to facilitate charging and maintenance.
The demonstration of the BEMU in-service will be the first time this bi-level technology is in operation on a commuter train anywhere in the United States, Caltrain noted. The trainset is also expected to be tested in other intercity and regional rail corridors, if feasible.
“California continues to lead the transition to a clean, electrified transportation system, this time with the nation’s first battery-electric multiple unit passenger rail train,” said California transportation secretary Toks Omishakin. “This efficient, state-of-the-art train – made possible by an award through our Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program – will lead to improved service for riders and cleaner air between San Francisco and Gilroy, as well as serve as a demonstration train for expanded battery-electric intercity rail service in the future.”
“We’re excited to be the first in the nation to pilot this bi-level hybrid electric and battery service to extend our zero-emission service beyond our electrified service areas,” added Jeff Gee, Caltrain board chair. “With the BEMU we will not only create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly service, but also faster and more reliable travel times for riders.”
The current demonstration plan will have the BEMU charge while in operations between San Francisco and San Jose, and then operate using battery power on non-electrified tracks between San Jose and Gilroy, with intermittent demonstration trips to Salinas. The goal is to show successful service operations and learn from the implementation to provide a roadmap for future BEMU operations and procurements.
The train will go into operations after additional testing and certifications from regulatory agencies. The four-car vehicle consists of three passenger cars and one battery-head, which houses the battery and power equipment.
Earlier this month, the Caltrain Board also approved exercising the options on its contract with Stadler for four electric multiple unit (EMU) trains to replace aging diesel trains. These EMU trains along with the BEMU demonstration will allow Caltrain to run over 90% of its service with electric trains, benefiting riders and communities throughout the corridor.
In advance of electrified service in fall of 2024, Caltrain held a public event for riders late last month to tour the new EMU trains, which was attended by more than 4,000 visitors.