San Joaquins very commonly have a Superliner coach with the downstairs cafe closet (feels about that big) in the middle of Cal Cars otherwise. Wonder if those are special in some way ... like having MU lines built in so they can operate in cab car consists? Anyway, some of the new cars might be food service to let the Superliners go back to the long-distance trains.

Wonder why the new stuff is only for SJs & Surf? CapCorridor uses the same equipment and has been growing even faster. CapCorr expansion limit for now seems to be equipment, though I suspect there might also be a dearth of UP train slots. The trains often operate with normal Amtrak power (PwhateverGE) rather than the Caltrans P59s.

The language of the press release also might telegraph a bit of where FRA would go with HSR equipment. Especially if the line uses existing trackage at some point (such as for initial central city access), FRA will have a very strong position to control how the equipment is built. Think heavy (Acela all over again)? Though their acceptance of Metrolink cars with crush zones might suggest a little flexibility.