California Car (railcar)

California Car
"California Car" coach/cab car leading the San Joaquin in Fresno, CA
Upper level of a California Car
ManufacturerMorrison-Knudsen/American Passenger Rail Car Company (Amerail)
Built atHornell, New York
Family nameSuperliner
Constructed1994–1997
Refurbished2009–2012 by Alstom at Mare Island
Number built66
Formationsingle car
Fleet numbers8000 series
Capacity89 seated, 1 wheelchair position (coach car)
OperatorsAmtrak & Caltrans as Amtrak California
DepotsOakland
Lines servedCapitol Corridor, San Joaquins
Specifications
Car length85 ft 0 in (25.91 m)
Width10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
Height16 ft 2 in (4.93 m)
EntryStep
Doors2 sets of bi-parting automatic doors per side
Maximum speed125 mph (201 km/h)
Power supply480 V AC 60 Hz
BogiesGSI 70
Braking system(s)Air
Coupling systemAAR
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The California Car is the first generation of intercity railcars owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and operated by Amtrak under the Amtrak California brand on intercity corridor routes in Northern and Central California. The cars were built in the mid-1990s for the Caltrans Division of Rail by Morrison–Knudsen and the American Passenger Rail Car Company (Amerail). The cars are similar in exterior dimensions to Amtrak's Superliner, but original in design to provide rolling stock suitable for California intercity services up to six hours, with more frequent stops than most other Amtrak routes. All cars were overhauled by Alstom at its Mare Island facility between 2009 and 2012.