Swiss Precision Heads to California: Stadler Sends Team to the USA

The future of American rail is in Swiss hands. Stadler has reached an agreement with Caltrain for further cooperation.

Stadler will provide maintenance and spare parts for Caltrain

The Swiss company Stadler and the American carrier Caltrain are extending their existing cooperation with another chapter. The new Technical Support and Spare Parts Supply Agreement (TSSSA) should ensure that Stadler KISS electric units will have the necessary maintenance and materials on-site, directly from the manufacturer. The agreement covers the entire current and future Stadler EMU fleet operated by Caltrain.

Under the agreement, Stadler will send a team of 14 technicians to California to assist with diagnostics, maintenance and vehicle management. The contract also includes the implementation of maintenance management software. The two parties also agreed on the possibility of including a battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) pilot train in the program in the future.

"This agreement represents our shared commitment to availability and continuous improvement," said Rachelle Glazier, head of Stadler Rail Service US. She adds: "We are proud to continue our partnership with Caltrain and support its mission to provide clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation for the Bay Area."

Stadler and Caltrain, partnership for 7 years

Caltrain ordered its first Stadler KISS units back in 2017, with the ground fleet of 16 units gradually expanding to 23 sets. According to the press release, Stadler delivered the KISS units directly from their US manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City. The first Stadler KISS electric trains began running on the San Francisco-San Jose route in September 2024. The deal is part of a broader strategy by Caltrain to bring greener rail transportation to the U.S.

Electric traction is still the exception in the US, with less than one percent of the US rail network electrified in 2018, according to The American Society of Mechanical Engineers magazine. So among U.S. regional carriers, Caltrain is one of the few pioneers of electrification. Of note is their Modernization Program, known by the acronym CalMod, which seeks to improve the rail situation in the US. The program has resulted in $2.5 billion in rail investments.