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The "end" of an era: Caltrain #901 sits in well earned retirement at CMOF on August 24, 2024, after
nearly four decades of work.
Wx4 Staff Reunites With Caltrain #901



On August 23, 2024 - four days short of 15 years after I retired - Caltrain Communications Director Jeremy Lipps and Fleet Manager Brad Berry graciously escorted me around CMOF so that I could pay a last visit to my beloved F40 #901 on home rails. Earlier that week she was pulled in and steam-cleaned for her annual inspection, but given that electrification was only one month off, it was quickly decided to instead set her out to pasture. Thus, when I arrived, #901 was already basking away her first days of well earned retirement.

I hold affection for her in particular since she was the first F40 that I ran after qualifying on Caltrain territory. That she was named the "San Jose" was a nice coincidence, since I am a San Jose native, and that first run was out of San Jose. I last touched a throttle in 2009, but once I entered #901's cab, it was like I never had left. The only glaring difference from my time was the addition of that big black box that sits to the right of the engineer's control stand. I could not figure out what it was, even after Brad disclosed that it was for "PTC" and then had to remind me that this was the acronym for positive train control.

Nearby, a very live #900 idled away, which was nice given that it was the last engine that I ran northbound on retirement day.

After the cab tour, the two gentlemen led me over to a set of electric equipment that had lately arrived. After a 1,000 hour break-in, it would be ready for service, which presumably can during the course of the juice-up on September 21. I am told that "the engineers" don't like the new equipment, but I would not expect otherwise, given that as a whole, engineers tend to be chronic complainers. Since the visit, this engineer rode the equipment, and I found it quite comfy for passengers, at any rate. - E. O. Gibson




above: No. 901's safety stripes look pretty sad, but the nose stripes (and other paint) on previously retired #906, to which #901 is coupled, were much worse. I am left wondering if much of the F40 fleet has not been repainted since I retired.

below: nearby #900 idling between runs

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below left: The new electrics are pretty slick looking. I hope that they hold up as well as the F40's did. Is that a control compartment or a video arcade?
below right: a view of #901 and #906 from the victor


my last day on Caltrain in 2009, clad in traditional engineer attire
 above, CENSORED: My standard attire during my career included a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of aviator sunglasses. Today's CFR* this and CFR that frown upon such risky attire. Now, there's safety vests whose colors clash with any respectable Hawaiian shirt, safety goggles designed for atomic bomb tests and worst of all, safety helmets that look like giant mushrooms growing out of one's scalp. Frankly, if I had to wear all of this crap at work, I would have resigned in favor of running trains somewhere where life was cheap. I can't remember the last time that I felt a streak of vanity nagging at me, until now. I look bad enough without the goofy hard hat and goggles.



#901 in happier times

above left: Caltrain #901 in CDTX paint displays a Capitol Train's markers southbound at Niles on 9-23-95. The loco probably was headed back to the Peninsula after having its wheels turned at the Sacramento Shops. - photographer unknown, Wx4 Collection

above: Caltrain #901 in CDTX paint displays a Capitol Train's markers southbound at Niles on 9-23-95 - photographer unknown - Wx4 Collection (below) Caltrain #901's nose with an odd experimental logo at San Jose on 8-13-98. Alan Miller photo, Wx4 collection

left: Caltrain #901 sitting on San Jose Roundhouse track #1 on July 30, 1985. John C. Benson photo, Wx4 Collection

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