General Information

San Joaquin trains are state-funded and owned, and Amtrak equipment and employees are contracted to operate the system and maintain equipment. Union Pacific and BNSF own all trackage on this line and therefore engineers and conductors must comply with Union Pacific and BNSF procedures if something abnormal were to arise. Union Pacific dispatch in Omaha, Nebraska is in contact with San Joaquin engineers at all times between Oakland Jack London Square and CP TR041, where BNSF dispatch is in effect. All Amtrak California systems (Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin) operate under reporting mark CDTX (California Department of Transportation). CDTX operates a roster of F59PHIs numbered 2001 through 2015. These old Electro-Motive Division diesels are being replaced by diesel-electric SC-44s, numbered 2101 to 2106, built by Siemens in Florin, California. Bi-level "California Cars" are used frequently on San Joaquin services, as well as single-level ex-NJT "Comet Cars" used strictly on San Joaquin services. Three ex-Caltrain NPCU F40PH locomotives serve as baggage cars on most single-level consists. CDTX operates push-pull services, utilizing cab cars on all southbound services, except when single-level cars are being used, in which case the NPCU would lead. San Joaquin trains and engineers use the same radio frequencies as Union Pacific and BNSF (whichever host railroad they are operating), however they are maintained separately. Amtrak has a maintenance facility a few thousand yards north of CP King Street in Oakland, California.