Amtrak Capitol Corridor Departing San Jose

There are at least two things unusual about this Capitol Corridor train departing San Jose. Instead of EMD F59PHI, it is being pulled by a GE P42DC, but this has become more common lately. What is more unusual is that the P42DC is pulling eastbound instead of the usual pushing.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Amtrak
• Capitol
• Corridor
• GE
• P42DC
• San
• Jose

[terminatorfan1]

is it me or did the cabcar sound its bell and have its headlights on?

[cchan006]

You saw correctly.

[trainboy32]

how did you go railfanning there did you buy a ticket?

[cchan006]

Yup, I had a ticket for Caltrain. By luck, I saw this reverse consist Capitol Corridor, so I got my video camera out of my backpack and waited because I knew its schedule.

[Jaanfo]

This looks to me like a reverse move... The fact that the headlights AND markers are on on the engine indicate the person operating them isn't familiar with the controls, just the basics. Then the headlight is on in the cab car. Likely the Conductor is sitting in the engine and the train is reversing out of the station to wye so the cab car is pointed in the right direction.

[cchan006]

There were passengers onboard, so I suspect it was more than just a reverse move. Railfans further up the route toward Oakland and Sacramento have commented on seeing this "reverse consist" before.

The headlights and the bells on the cabcar are still mysteries, and your theories are as good as any. Thanks for your comments!

[JetMechMA]

Boy, those Capitol Corridor engines are ugly. It's the Surfliner locos that are the best looking.

[jpwolfe79]

sweet video, guess somebody forgot to shut the power off on the other end.

[KhmerSerey1]

It goese from santa cruz,san jose/diridon,santa clara great/ america,fremont,hayward,oaklan­d coliseum,to emeryville,berkkeley,richmond,­martinez,suisun/ fairfield,davis,sacramento,ros­eville,rocklin,auburn and end in reno,if anyone want to see northern California,this train ride is the sht man......

[Coastergeekperson04]

Is the GE the blue one and the EMD the black traditionally shaped one?

[traindude80]

I've only been on the Capitol Corridor once, in 2004

[NickyVeee]

this is a popular route for trainees, ex-conductors that become engineers. they forget the small things, because they are only taught the basics. i've seen things like, forgetting to turn on/off ditch lights, bells, etc.

alls i know is i hate the P42 being used because the synthetic braking system wreaks havoc on the trainees, because when they get an F59, boy do they brake weird, and harder too.