The trains that used to link San Jose, California to San Francisco will soon be carrying commuters to jobs in Lima, Peru.
Caltrain, which recently completed electrification of its main lines, has sold the entire diesel fleet of 19 locomotives and 90 passenger cars to the city of Lima, Peru, where they will help the city set up its first rail commuter network. Caltrain, a state agency, will get $6.32 million.
There have been several other bidders, but only Lima made a bid for the entire fleet, according to Caltrain officials, who said “These trains have a long and proud legacy of service that we’re proud to pass along to the people of Peru. The F40s hold a special place in the heart of train enthusiasts, and there’s no better task for them than to keep helping people get where they need to go.”
Originally, Caltrain had agreed to make the locomotives inoperable, as part of a funding deal for the $2.4 billion electrification project. The agreement allowed funding connected to air quality projects, but a waiver has been received since they are leaving the U.S.
