Caltrain Back for Stanford Football Tradition Starting Sept. 4

Sidelined for two years because of weekend track construction, Caltrain returns to action for Stanford football starting Sept. 4.

Located off Embarcadero Road and Alma Street, Caltrain’s Stanford Stadium Station is a short walk from the stadium, where Stanford will take on San Jose State University on Sept. 4.

Caltrain has made Stanford part of its game plan for all six home games; selected trains will stop at the stadium train station before kickoff and after the end of the games.

In addition to regular Saturday service, Caltrain also will operate two extra trains for the San Jose State game and the Sept. 11 match-up with Brigham Young University, both of which start at 7 p.m.

The two extra trains leave Stanford Stadium station approximately 15 minutes after the end of each game.

The railroad is teaming up with Stanford to promote the return of Caltrain’s historic football tradition. Caltrain riders will receive $2 off a general admission ticket to the football game by showing a valid monthly pass.

Since there are no ticket vending machines at the Stanford station, riders are advised to purchase a Caltrain Day Pass at their departure station before boarding the train to go to the game.

Rail service has played a cardinal role in Stanford football since the steam train era. Indeed, the extension of the rail line south of Menlo Park in 1863 might not have happened without the financial support of Leland Stanford Jr., whose Central Pacific Railroad came to the rescue, when the original railroad ran out of money to continue on to Palo Alto and San Jose, according to Caltrain board member and railroad historian Art Lloyd.

Lloyd recalls that, as far back as the 1930s, as many as four football trains left San Francisco on game day, bound for The Farm. Special trains also left Berkeley for The Big Game during the biennial contests at Stanford.

“It’s great to see Caltrain reclaim its roots as the transportation mode of choice for Stanford football,” Lloyd said. “The stadium is so close to the station, just about as close as going to a baseball game at SBC Park.”

Weekend Caltrain service was halted in July 2002 because of the CTX construction project, which, among other things, paved the way for Baby Bullet express trains.

In the intervening time, the Millbrae Intermodal Station has opened, offering Peninsula fans a new way to take Caltrain to get to the “Big Game” in Berkeley on Nov. 20, connecting and continuing on to the East Bay.

Kickoff times are subject to change due to potential television coverage. Passengers should call Caltrain at 1.800.660.4287 for service and train fare information. People with hearing impairments may call TDD 650.508.6448.

8/23/04