I am suggesting the section from San Jose to Richmond, This route would be about 57 mi (92 km) long. Main services are done by Amtrak California additional services are also supplied by Amtrak and Altamont Corridor Express. Rollingstock Amtrak California EMD F59PHI Simens Charger SC-44 California Cars Surfliner Cars (only used on some trainsets) Amtrak GE P42DC Siemens ALC-42 Viewliner Superliner Altamont Corridor Express MPI F40PH-3C Siemens Charger Bombardier BiLevel
This route sounds great. Plus, UP runs freight on this route, so we could get some UP diesel power. I'd suggest a UP GP60, SD59MX, SD70M, C45ACCTE (ES44AC), C45AH (ET44AC), SD70AH-T4 or GP40-2/N.
Distance, dtg don't tend to make routes over 50 miles I would prefer the full route but that would be 168 miles which we have no chance of getting
Hardly scenic or interesting IMO, especially given that Caltrain is already done. Simulating all the garbage and homeless encampments along the route in Oakland would probably exceed the performance capabilities of most systems. I'd be more tempted by Richmond to Stockton. It has fewer services and is a bit long but it's a bit more scenic and has a better balance of urban and rural.
But why not Martinez? That's IMO a more logical endpoint for the middle of the routes than Richmond. And it still serves the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins, Coast Starlight, and California Zephyr.
Not familiar with the route was basing it of distance more so then anything I was thinking when making this suggestion if taking it to Martinez but wanted to keep it around 50 miles
