Amtrak San Joaquin 712 head south out of Modesto on its way from Oakland to Bakersfield. This train has Amtrak Non-Powered Control Unit 90278 up front (NPCUs were rebuilt into unpowered cab cars with baggage compartments, utilizing retired F40PHs – in this case, AMTK F40PH 278), leading six of the new Siemens "Venture" cars, with California Department of Transportation (CDTX) F59PHI 2004 shoving on the rear. These trains operate with a variety of equipment: F59PHIs or Siemens SC-44s for power, NPCUs one some trains, California Cars, former NJ Transit "Comet" cars and the new Siemens "Venture" cars, too! Variety is the spice of life … er … railfanning! (Empire, California – June 16, 2024)
From one train each way in 1973 between Bakersfield and Oakland when it started up, this line as expanded to six trips daily; four to Oakland and two to Sacramento.