The commuter fleet was converted to all diesel in 1958. Under the Rapid Rail program all the rail will be continuously welded. Bolted rail went out in the early 1900s, replaced by jointed rail which is now almost all replaced by welded rail. Caltrain would be quite pleased to have Ravenswood crossing replaced by grade separation, such as the two in Redwood City, two in San Carlos, two in Belmont, one in Millbrae and one in South San Francisco. As chairman for California Operation Lifesaver, the more accidents we can prevent at grade crossings and the more trespassers we can educate not to walk on the right of way, the better for all concerned.
Federal law requires blowing of whistles at grade crossings.
Elimination of grade crossings will reduce use of whistles. I will be more than pleased to meet with Mr. Rubin and work with all concerned. His letter brought out misconceptions about Caltrain that I am anxious to correct. Before I retired, I commuted for 40 years on Caltrain and its predecessor, Southern Pacific. During those 40 years I was late to work only eight times, once every five years.