Altamont Corridor Express
(Formerly Altamont Commuter Express)
Fremont station, 2020
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Altamont Corridor Express (refered to as ACERail or simply ACE) is a commuter-oriented rail line from San Jose to Stockton, with intermediate stops at Lathrop/Manteca, Tracy, Vasco Road, Livermore, Pleasanton, Fremont (Centerville), Great America, and Santa Clara.
Service is only provided during weekdays, in the commute direction (Stockton to San Jose during AM commute, San Jose to Stockton during PM commute). Service began on October 19, 1998 with two trains in each direction. Current service consists of four trains in each direction. Sections: Operations Fare Media Roster Route |
Operations
ACE is akin to other commuter rail systems established in the past 30 years - it offers limited stop, high speed, rather comfortable, but commute-only service. Designed to compete with the private automobile for the Silicon Valley commuter (akin to a second, Central Valley oriented, BART mission), ACE serves its sole purpose well. The trains run at track speed, the views are spectacular, the cars are clean, and the amenities are reasonable.
Four trains head out to San Jose in the morning, and four trains return to Stockon in the evening. One train has a pair of F40s as power - the double header - and is often train 7.
ACE is managed by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (which also manages the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) / Amtrak San Joaquins).
Transit services are contracted out to Herzog. Train crews work a split shift.
Saturday service was trialed from September 7, 2019 to about March 2020. Daily ridership, pre-COVID was about 4,000 total.
Until recent times, fleet expansion appeared to be incremental, with small car and locomotive orders scattered throughout the years. The Commission has in order/delivery/testing about 2 dozen new cars, and the current cars are transitioning into the new livery as part of the midlife rehab program.
Four trains head out to San Jose in the morning, and four trains return to Stockon in the evening. One train has a pair of F40s as power - the double header - and is often train 7.
ACE is managed by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (which also manages the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) / Amtrak San Joaquins).
Transit services are contracted out to Herzog. Train crews work a split shift.
Saturday service was trialed from September 7, 2019 to about March 2020. Daily ridership, pre-COVID was about 4,000 total.
Until recent times, fleet expansion appeared to be incremental, with small car and locomotive orders scattered throughout the years. The Commission has in order/delivery/testing about 2 dozen new cars, and the current cars are transitioning into the new livery as part of the midlife rehab program.
Fare Media
Some ACE ticket validators actually have Metrolink heritage.
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ACE uses a standalone system of fare collection, using tickets validated via automatic ticket validators. Passengers display their validated tickets at all times on the train. Evidently, ACE passengers must be proud of their tickets, seeing that the 20 ride ticket is 9 inches in length - by far the longest ticket in use in the Bay Area and quite possibly the longest transit ticket entire United States. GO ACE!
Passengers purchasing one-ride tickets at San Jose Diridon recieve a printed Amtrak - style ticket from the Amtrak counter. The best deals are in the higher ride tickets (e.g. 20 ride ticket), which can save a repeat rider about 30% over time. Plus, one can recieve a ticket holder to wear their giant ticket with pride, like the rest of the train. Additionally, an annual monthly pass holder can redeem a free monthly pass after using 11 consecutive monthly passes. The paper 1, 2, 10, and 20 ride tickets have no expiration, at least until a fare increase. |
Ticket colors:
Fremont: Pink
Tri-Valley: Green
Tracy: Yellow
Lathrop: Blue
Stockton: Red
Fremont: Pink
Tri-Valley: Green
Tracy: Yellow
Lathrop: Blue
Stockton: Red
Roster
Liveries
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Phase I (Original Scheme)
The classic colorful scheme, still on all F40s and most cars. |
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Phase II (2014 cars scheme)
Features new "Altamont Corridor Express" titles. Only applied on the 2014 cars, and doesn't match anything else in the fleet. It was removed from both cars as part of their refreshing. |
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Phase III (Charger scheme)
The Charger locomotives and a slowly growing number of cars are painted in the grey + pinstripes scheme, as part of the midlife rebuilding project. Features simple "ACE" titles...just in case they get a new name again. Cars with the new Livery: 3202 (1998, Bike car) 3218 (2009, Coach) 3221 (2014, Galley car) 3222 (2003, Coach ex Cab 3309 - rebuilt following derailment in Niles Canyon in 2016) 3307 (2003, Cab car) All Series X cars. |
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Locomotives
ACE locomotives and cab cars are equipped with a K5LA horn.
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MPI F40PH-3C
Fleet Numbers: 3101-3106 Year Built: 1997-2007 Quantity: 6 Builder: MotivePower Engine: EMD 645 Notes:
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Siemens SC-44 Charger
Fleet Numbers: 3110-3113 Year Built: 2019 Quantity: 4 Engine: Cummins QSK95 Notes:
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Passenger Cars
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Bombardier Bilevel
Fleet Numbers: 3201-3222 (Coaches), 3301-3311 (Cab Cars) Year Built: 1998, 2003, 2008, 2014, 2020-2022 Quantity: 32 total + ~23 on order Bombardier Series: II, III, IV, X Notes:
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Route
Original text from the archived ACE website.
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Stockton
"The Stockton ACE station is the first stop on the ACE route heading west. Rich in railroad history, the City of Stockton is host to three historic train depots, and this iconic Southern Pacific Station is the home to ACE and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.The Robert J. Cabral Station is named after a pioneer who was part of the group who founded the Commission and the ACE service. A tribute to Cabral is placed at the station next to a traditional clock tower – both a beacon and vision for revitalization that is taking place in the downtown neighborhood. The station is five blocks from the San Joaquin Regional Transit District Downtown Transit Center and ten blocks from the beautiful waterfront area. This station is one of two in Stockton where travelers board and deboard some of Amtrak’s trains including Amtrak San Joaquins. Amtrak passengers should be careful to review their tickets to ensure they are boarding at the correct station." |
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Lathrop/Manteca
"This ACE station is in between the cities of Lathrop and Manteca. With easy access from Highway 120, the station is also popular among ACE riders who take the short drive from Modesto to the Tri-Valley or Silicon Valley areas." |
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Tracy
"The Tracy ACE station is the second most popular station along the route for passenger boardings. This station is uniquely located on the border of new housing communities and rich agricultural farmland." |
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Vasco Road
"At the western foot of the Altamont Pass, the Vasco Road station is positioned to serve many large business parks along Las Positas Road in Livermore. This is your stop if you work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory or Sandia National Laboratories." |
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Livermore
"Located as part of the Livermore Transit Center near downtown Livermore, this station allows for easy access to a range of bus connections available through Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (Wheels). For information regarding connections through Wheels, call 925-455-7500." |
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Pleasanton
"At the center point along the ACE route, the Pleasanton station ushers as many passengers off the train as there are getting on. Pleasanton is your stop for an easy connection to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, and for the expansive network of shuttles which can take you to Bishop Ranch, Hacienda Business Park, Stoneridge Business Park, and many others." |
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Fremont
"The Fremont ACE station, also known as the Centerville Depot, appears now as it did in 1910 as a historical Southern Pacific station. Now, in addition to catching ACE and Amtrak Capitol Corridor trains from this location, travelers can have a snack at the Depot Diner." |
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Great America
"The Great America station takes its name from the amusement park located within walking distance. On the way to California’s Great America theme park, you’ll also notice Levi's® Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers as well as other sporting events, concerts, and various entertainment. Commuters using this station will be met with a large network of dedicated ACE shuttles and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail system ready to get you to work. All shuttles are color labeled on the outside of the vehicle." |
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Santa Clara
"Built in 1863 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the Santa Clara depot is your stop for Santa Clara University and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Visit the website to view updated information. The university, located across the street from the depot, is an easy walk from the train, and the airport is accessible via a free shuttle, the Airport Flyer. VTA also serves this station for connection to its extensive network of buses and light rail." |
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San Jose
"The San Jose Diridon station is the last stop along the ACE route. Similar to the Stockton station’s Italian Renaissance Revival-style architecture, this historic depot is an appropriate bookend for such a significant train route. The Station is located in downtown San Jose, down the street from world-renowned museums and restaurants, and across the street from the famed HP Pavilion entertainment hub. Ready to connect you with the rest of the Silicon Valley and beyond is VTA, Caltrain, Amtrak, Santa Cruz Metro, and many others." |
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5/26/22, 10/19/22
