Herzog announces the expansion of our rail services with the formation of a dedicated group for traction electrification systems (TES) maintenance. As construction wraps up on the Caltrain Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (Caltrain Electrification), the TES team is springing into action. From managing the OCS to traction power substations, paralleling stations, wayside power cubicles, and a switching station, the TES team’s role is crucial in ensuring a safe and efficient electrified rail system. Building on our decade-long relationship as the operations and maintenance provider for Caltrain since 2012, we are looking forward to providing an extension to our maintenance capabilities.

While this is the first time Herzog has provided TES maintenance services for a commuter rail line, Herzog has maintained the overhead contact systems (OCS) for the past seven years on the KC Streetcar and since 2018 on the Oklahoma City Streetcar. The Caltrain line is a fully electrified 25kv system, making it only the second of its kind in the country. This expansion into a larger, more complex rail network underscores Herzog’s commitment to advancing our expertise and delivering top-tier services to our clients.

Official maintenance activities commenced on October 2, 2023, covering 16 miles of the 51-mile corridor. Construction upgrades on Caltrain are currently being performed by infrastructure contractor, Balfour Beatty. Once construction wraps up this spring, Herzog’s subsidiary, TransitAmerica Services Inc. (TASI), will assume responsibility of TES maintenance along the entire corridor from San Francisco Station to San Jose’s Tamien Station in California. Until then, the team remains proactive, foreseeing minor adjustments due to settling and wire stretching and making improvements to guarantee seamless operations. 

The line’s electrification testing kicked off on March 11-12 with a “night burn” between Redwood City and Mountain View, CA. Initial runs at 20 mph ensured a solid connection between the overhead wire and the train, and then TASI crews eventually increased the speed to 79 mph—the corridor’s max limit. A total of 25 test runs were successfully conducted. Now, each of the 23 electric trainsets has to clock 1,000 testing miles before they’re passenger-ready.

Electrified service is set to start for commuters in fall of 2024.