Overhead Wires

White and red Caltrain commuter train

Rail Electrification: Caltrain adds BEMUs to its EMU Order

Caltrain, the San Francisco-to-San Jose commuter railroad, plans to begin electrified operation next year on its 49-mile mainline. A 28-mile extension south to Gilroy would continue to be served by diesel trains, with one train powered by battery.

August 24, 2023 - San Mateo Daily Journal

Proterra Electric Bus

Battery-Electric Buses Might Not Be Quite Ready for Prime Time

Companies are marketing battery-electric buses as the transit vehicles of the future, but there is still much room for improvement.

January 22, 2019 - CityLab

Sweden to Test Overhead Power Lines for Heavy Transport

Electric roads (no, not solar powered pavement) will get a test run in Sweden.

June 29, 2016 - Green Car Congress

Dallas Streetcar

Dallas Has Nation's First Hybrid Streetcar

At critical points, Dallas' streetcar system runs without overhead cables. Two batteries underneath the car store enough power to propel the train across a mile-long bridge.

December 7, 2015 - Houston Public Media

First Look at the New Dallas Streetcar

In a private preview in anticipation of the April 13 system opening, a lucky few got a first look at Dallas' new, battery-powered streetcar.

March 25, 2015 - The Dallas Morning News

San Francisco's Electric Bus Pollution Problem

There are no emissions of pollutants or noise from these electric buses that receive power from overhead wires; but it's the wires that are viewed by some as visual pollution. Powered from the city's hydroelectric dam, they are truly carbon-free.

December 15, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Streetcar Manufacturers See Boom Ahead in U.S.

At least 80 U.S. and Canadian cities have a streetcar system in the works or are considering it, says APTA. Julie Sneider at Progressive Railroading says transit manufacturers are seeing opportunity in those numbers.

September 13, 2011 - Progressive Railroading

D.C. Juggles Overhead Wires and Historic Views

Washington D.C. is planning to build a citywide streetcar network, but the overhead wires required for those plans would affect the city's historic views.

December 23, 2010 - NPR

Overhead Wires Cloud Future of D.C. Streetcar and Reputation

Washington D.C. is moving forward with plans to construct streetcars in the city, but a law more than 100 years old banning overhead wires is threatening the progress of those plans.

April 20, 2010 - The Washington Post

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