I once saw a freight train at night traveling northbound at low speed on track 1 (the track nearest the building) doing about 10 - 15 mph. It was odd seeing a freight train so close to the station building and the passenger waiting area.
Very interesting noticing Caltrain's use of ditch lights. Somehow I thought it was regulation to use ditch lights in stations whenever they are present on equipment, but maybe it's up to agency policy?
Typically, when trains are entering yards or stations, and when other trains are also present, crews are usually required per FRA’s rules to dim the headlight (including turning off the ditch lights) as to not create unwanted glare towards other trains and their crews. This can vary depending on the engineer operating the train as well, but standard practice is to turn off the ditch lights and dim the headlights for the aforementioned situations.
Man, has that station changed since I was last there in 2016. My first photograph there was back in 1972 and I continued to shoot there up through 2007. Good job. I better get over there before the cutover to electric
Thank you ! Yeah, the scene nowadays is a lot of catenary poles and (soon to be) wires strung up. Very big changes that have happened in the last few years.
Really like that shot at 36:12. It shows my Favorite CDTX Cab Car (besides 8306), and both my two best Caltrain Cabs all at once! Also, good catch on ACE Cab Car 3301 on the rear of that train, as that one's pretty rare to spot on the lead!
Model Trains and Railfanning Not at the moment. Plus, it’s pretty hot out there at the moment, haha. I do however have plans on revisiting my old stomping grounds sometime in the near future for sure though.
Hi Brent. Very nice video. Did the security have any problem with you filming there and what were the hours you were there for? I may visit there someday and I was curious how they are at the terminal there.
Security should only be an issue on Platform 1 or inside the station. Let me know when you are up here because I know all the good spots for railfanning at Diridon as well as some other excellent spots in walking distance from the station.
Hi Jon, it’s good to hear from you, and thank you ! I was at San Jose on a Friday from 8:15am until around 11:30am. Prior to visiting, I have heard about security being an occasional issue here, but I did reach out to Caltrain and the City of San Jose to get “documentation” prior to my visit as a precautionary measure if I were confronted (no security bothered me during the entire time I was there). I did limit the use of my tripod for most of my shots to detract attention and look more like a regular passenger; however I did use my tripod later during my stay as the train traffic slowed and where it wouldn’t pose a lot of surrounding attention. In general though, I think as long as you’re not interfering with regular passenger movements, you definitely should not have any issues railfanning here. It’s definitely an action packed place to railfan for sure. Possibly equivalent to LAUPT !
The City of San Jose does not own Diridon Station. They have no jurisdiction over what goes on there. The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board owns the station as well as the right of way. Of course if you are obstructing the flow of passengers, getting in the way, and someone reports it you will be in trouble. Otherwise you should find security only patrolling Platform 1 and inside the station.
NorCalRailfan Yes Zachary, I am aware of that. Unfortunately for most train stations in California, the transit agency or city usually hires a private security company versus actual police officers; i.e. “rent-a-cops.” After railfanning at many stations with transit security, I’ve noticed that generally for the more difficult security personnel, they’ll usually always ask for either the rail agency’s written approval, or for the city of the station for written approval (or the agency who hired the security), although realistically, anyone is free to railfan in a public space by law. The interesting thing though is I have never ever had an issue with actual police officers, as they all essentially understand the law, but unfortunately not all transit security personnel do. I’d figure why fight the security personnel when you can outsmart them; so I just send some emails and get some general approvals through email and print some papers to utilize it as proof. It takes only 10-20 minutes of my time, but it is a great feeling seeing security personnel back off once they see the paperwork and that their job is at stake if they continue to pursue and attempt to remove me, haha.
I understand where you are coming from. Thankfully only four or so railroad stations in Northern California employ private security rent-a-cops. The ones up here in San Francisco are so freaking lazy, dumb, and stupid we usually end up having to do their job for them. Allied Universal is the absolute worst. They are so bad it seems like they purposely hire the most lazy and dumb morons they can find.
NorCalRailfan Gotcha. Always good to know some railroaders are still railfans ! Of all the trains I caught that day, he was definitely the friendliest engineer I saw that day for sure.
NorCalRailfan Nice ! It’s pretty unfortunate that it is still considered “taboo” to be known as a railfan if you’re working for a railroad; but it’s great to know that for those who are, they really do enjoy their job and are happy to be doing what they’re doing.
Awesome Video:) I used to watch trains at San Jose when I was a kid. Until Caltrain upgraded the station into 9 platforms which was a little confusing for me during that time.
Copper Cruz Thank you ! Yeah man, a lot of simultaneous action at times with the many trains makes it hard to keep track of all the trains coming and going, haha.
Caltrain 920 and Elevators Yes, unfortunately. I was in San Jose mainly visiting friends until some unforeseen circumstances resulted in my morning plans being cancelled at the very last minute, so I utilized that time to railfan at San Jose until the afternoon that day.
