[Caltrans] – Caltrans’ intercity passenger rail program is the first in the nation to start converting its fleet of locomotives to emission-control standards that exceed current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.

Nearly $190 million will modernize locomotives, renovate existing cars, and purchase new equipment by 2015, thanks to four grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009. The retrofitted locomotives will operate on the San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor routes.

“These new environmentally-sensitive locomotives will not only protect California’s natural beauty, but will also encourage more Californians to consider passenger rail as a reliable, clean transportation alternative,” said Acting Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The project will retrofit the current 3,200 horse power engines with emission-control equipment. The new EPA 710 EOC Repower engine upgrade is equipped with an automatic engine start/stop system to reduce fuel and oil usage by eliminating idling time and emissions. Smog-forming emissions will be reduced by 43 percent, hydrocarbon emissions by 84 percent and toxic diesel particulate emissions by 78 percent.

Amtrak California

Amtrak  California  is  a  partnership between the California Department of Transportation  (Caltrans)  and Amtrak. Under the Amtrak California banner, Caltrans  funds  three  intercity  passenger  rail corridors in California. Contributing  more than $90 million annually in state operating assistance, Caltrans  is  the  largest passenger rail capital assistance program in the nation.  Amtrak  California  operates  three  of  the  five  busiest  state supported   intercity   passenger   rail   services  throughout  California including:   the   Pacific  Surfliner  Corridor,  Amtrak’s  second  busiest corridor;  the  San  Joaquin Corridor, Amtrak’s fifth busiest corridor; and the Capitol Corridor, which is managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority,  Amtrak’s  third  busiest  corridor.  For more information visit www.AmtrakCalifornia.com.

Amtrak

Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America’s Railroads, Amtrak is the nation’s intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more  than  300  daily  trains  –  at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect  46  states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies.  Amtrak  also  is  a  strong  financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeys at Amtrak.com or call  800-USA-RAIL  for  schedules,  fares and more information.

Capitol Corridor® Joint Powers Authority

The  Capitol  Corridor  serves  sixteen  stations  along  the 170-mile rail corridor   connecting  Placer,  Sacramento,  Yolo,  Solano,  Contra  Costa, Alameda,  San  Francisco  and  Santa  Clara  counties, paralleling both the I-80/I-680  and I-880 corridors in segments from Sacramento to San Jose. An extensive,  dedicated  motorcoach  network  provides bus connections to the train. The CCJPA partners with Amtrak, Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the  communities  comprising  the  CCJPA  to offer cost-effective intercity passenger  rail  and  offers  a convenient way to travel between the Sierra Foothills,  Sacramento,  the  San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose.  For  information,  visit capitolcorridor.org or call 1-877-974-3322.