Coaster (rail service)

Commuter rail service in San Diego County, California

For the former service, see Coaster (Southern Pacific Railroad train).

COASTER

A Coaster train waits at San Diego Santa Fe Depot

Overview
Service type| Commuter rail
Locale| San Diego County, California, United States
First service| February 27, 1995 (1995-02-27)
Current operator(s)| North County Transit District
Former operator(s)|

* Amtrak (1995–2005)
* TransitAmerica (2006–2015)
* Bombardier Transportation (2015–2021)
* Alstom (2021–2022)

Ridership| 2,400 (weekdays, Q1 2025)[1]
Annual ridership| 871,200 (2024)[2]
Website| gonctd.com/coaster
Route
Termini| Oceanside
San Diego
Stops| 8[3]
Distance travelled| 41 mi (66 km)[4]
Average journey time| 1 hour, 1 minute[3]
Train number(s)| 630-699
Line(s) used| Surf Line
Technical
Rolling stock| 9 locomotives, 28 coaches[4]
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed| 90 mph (140 km/h) (top)[5]
40 mph (64 km/h) (average)
Track owner(s)| San Diego Association of Governments and North County Transit District
| Route map

COASTER highlighted in teal

* * *

Show interactive map

Legend

|  |  |

|  |

| Amtrak

to Los Angeles
& Metrolink

to San Bernardino

|  |

|  |

Maintenance facility

|  |

|  | Oceanside

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Sprinter

to Escondido

|  |

|  | Carlsbad Village
|  |

|  | Carlsbad Poinsettia
|  |

|  | Encinitas
|  |

|  | Solana Beach

|  |

|  | Del Mar Fairgrounds

(planned, 2028[6])

|  |

|  |

| Zone 1

Zone 2

|  |

|  | Sorrento Valley
|  |

|  |

| Zone 2

Zone 3

|  |

|  |

to UTC

|  |

|  |

to El Cajon

|  |

|  | Old Town San Diego

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  | San Diego

|  |

|  |

to San Ysidro

|  |

|  | Convention Center

(planned, 2025[7])

|  |

|  |

to 12th & Imperial

|  |

|  |

Storage yard

* * *

All stations are accessible
|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

Show route diagram

Coaster (stylized in all caps) (reporting marks NCTC, SDNX) is a commuter rail service in the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County, California, United States, operated by the North County Transit District (NCTD).

The 41-mile (66 km) commuter rail line features eight stops, with a travel time of about one hour and one minute end-to-end. The service operates seven days a week except nights, with slightly greater frequency during weekday peak periods.

Coaster first entered service on February 27, 1995, and has since grown in ridership and capacity. In 2024, the line had a ridership of 871,200, or about 2,400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025.

## History

[edit]

The North San Diego County Transit Development Board was created in 1975 to consolidate and improve transit in northern San Diego County. Planning began for a San Diego–Oceanside commuter rail line, then called Coast Express Rail, in 1982.[8] Funding for right-of-way acquisition and construction costs came from TransNet, a 1987 measure that imposed a 0.5% sales tax on San Diego County residents for transportation projects.[8] The Board established the San Diego Northern Railway Corporation (SDNR) – a nonprofit operating subsidiary – in 1994.[8] SDNR purchased the 41 miles (66 km) of the Surf Line within San Diego County plus the 22-mile (35 km) Escondido Subdivision (later used for the SPRINTER) from the Santa Fe Railway that year.[9]

Coaster service began on February 27, 1995.[8] NCTD originally contracted Amtrak to provide personnel for Coaster trains.[10] In July 2006, TransitAmerica Services took over the day-to-day operation of the commuter train, based on a five-year, $45 million contract with NCTD.[10][11] In 2016, Bombardier Transportation replaced TransitAmerica as Coaster's operator.[12] In December 2018, NCTD achieved full implementation of positive train control along the entire Coaster route, making it one of only four railroads in the United States to achieve full implementation of this technology without needing an extension beyond 2018.[13]

### Future

[edit]

A Coaster train passes over a new concrete bridge (as part of a bridge replacement project) near Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

San Diego County voters extended the TransNet sales tax through 2038, which includes funding for rail track upgrades. By the early 2010s, numerous improvements such as added double track and bridge replacements were in various stages of construction and design.[14] As part of the broader North Coast Corridor project, approximately $1 billion is planned to be spent on new segments of double track between San Diego and Orange County.[15]

Limited-use stations at the San Diego Convention Center and the Del Mar Racetrack for use during major events have been planned, and is expected to complete construction of the stations in late 2025.[16] A northward extension to Camp Pendleton was also proposed in 2011.[8][17]

In the early 2020s, officials recognized the need to move the tracks away from the encroaching erosion of the Del Mar bluffs. Planning and design of a rail tunnel under the city are ongoing, with an estimated completion date of 2035.[18] By 2024, SANDAG narrowed down the Del Mar bluffs bypass to three routes.[19] One of the routes would tunnel under the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which was opposed by the local community.[20][21]

## Service

[edit]

More than 20 Coaster trains run on weekdays,[22] with additional service on the weekends.[23] As of April 3, 2017, Coaster also added Friday Night service with trains running until a quarter after midnight. More weekend services operate during summer months and when there are special events, such as home games for the San Diego Padres. In March 2020, all weekend trains and some weekday trains were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic; however, weekend service was reinstated on May 29, 2021.

### Stations

[edit]

Coaster route map (with other commuter lines included). This does not show routes of the San Diego Trolley. Zone  | Location  | Station[24] | Connections

|
|
|

1  | Oceanside | Oceanside Transit Center |  Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner,  Thruway 1
North County Transit District: Sprinter
Metrolink: Orange County Line, Inland Empire–Orange County Line
NCTD BREEZE: 101, 302, 303, 313, 318, FLEX 392, FLEX 395
Greyhound Lines
Carlsbad | Carlsbad Village |  NCTD Breeze: 101, 315, 325
Carlsbad Poinsettia |  NCTD Breeze: 444, 445
Encinitas | Encinitas |  NCTD Breeze: 101, 304, 309
Solana Beach | Solana Beach |  Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
NCTD Breeze: 101, 308
2  | San Diego | Sorrento Valley |  NCTD COASTER Connection: 471, 472, 473, 478, 479
3  | Old Town Transit Center |  Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
San Diego Trolley: Green Line, Blue Line
MTS: 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 84X, 88, 105, 150
Santa Fe Depot |  Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
San Diego Trolley: Green Line, Blue Line
MTS: 83, Rapid 215, Rapid 225, Rapid 235, Rapid Express 280, Rapid Express 290, 923,  992

### Fares and ticketing

[edit]

The cost of Coaster tickets is based upon the number of zones traveled (see map). Fare collection is based on a proof-of-payment system: tickets must be purchased before boarding and are checked by roving fare inspectors. Monthly passes are available. All tickets and passes include transfer agreements with NCTD BREEZE buses and monthly passes include transfer with the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses and Trolleys. On January 20, 2011, NCTD implemented a fare reduction, which to increased ridership on Coaster and so was made permanent in September 2011. As of September 2019[update], regular one-way fares are as follows:[25]

* Within one zone: $5
* Within two zones: $5.75
* Within three zones: $6.50

With proof of eligibility, senior citizens (ages 60 and over), people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders receive a 50% discount on the above fares.

Riding Coaster without a valid ticket may result in a penalty fare of up to $250. Riders cannot purchase tickets on board the train.

#### Pronto Fare System / Former Compass System

[edit]

Main article: Pronto Card

Coaster, along with all other NCTD and MTS services, utilizes the new Pronto contactless fare system introduced in September 2021 by INIT Systems and SANDAG; the Pronto system succeeded the first-generation Compass Card system."[26] As a replacement for the original "Compass Card," the Pronto fare system allows for a tap-on, tap-off approach, so riders on Coaster can tap-on when entering the station platform (using one of the station's validators), and tap-off when arriving at the destination stop, in order to deduct the correct fare.[27] However, unlike other NCTD and MTS services, Pronto users for Coaster are required to purchase Day or Monthly Passes prior to riding due to different electronic ticket requirements.[28] These passes along with general Pronto cards can be physically purchased at Pronto ticket vending machines at NCTD facilities, or in customer service centers; electronic versions can be purchased through the website or through the mobile applications.[29]

Main article: Compass Card

Coaster previously utilized the aforementioned contactless "Compass Card", made possible by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc. The "Compass Card" allowed passengers from MTS and NCTD to store regional transit passes and cash value on a rewritable RFID card. Customers would have purchased passes and added cash value on the Internet or at any ticket vending machine. Prior to boarding a train, customers tapped their Compass Cards on the ticket validator located on the train platform. The LED display on the validator would then light up with lights resembling that of a stoplight, and the LCD display showed text regarding the passenger's fare account.[30] The new Pronto system now used expanded upon many of the design concepts previously employed with the Compass Card system.[31]

### Ridership

[edit]

Coaster carried about 514,450 passengers during its first year of operation,[32] and ridership rose steadily in the years that followed. In 2019, Coaster ridership was approximately 1.4 million people, with an average number of 4,200 weekday boardings.[33] The Coaster served 871,200 riders in 2024,[2] and currently carries 2,400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025.[1]

Approximately 40% of weekday commuters detrain at Sorrento Valley.[citation needed]

## Rolling stock

[edit]

Builder  | Type  | Purchased  | Quantity  | Numbers  | Image

|
|
|
|
|

Locomotives
Siemens | SC-44 Charger | 2018–2020  | 9  | 5001–5009  |
Passenger Cars
Bombardier | BiLevel coach | 1994  | 8  | 2201–2208  |
1997  | 6  | 2401–2406  |
2003  | 4  | 2501–2504  |
2020  | 8  | 42101–42108  |
BiLevel cab car | 1994  | 8  | 2301–2308  |
2003  | 2  | 2309–2310  |
2020  | 3  | 421-423  |
Coaster 2101, an F40PHM-2C, at Sorrento Valley Station shortly before it was retired. The top deck of an original Coaster Bombardier Bi-Level coach. The seat materials will be refurbished, with electrical outlets also to be added.

In June 2018, the North County Transit District (NCTD) Board approved the purchase of five Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives to replace their existing five F40PHM-2C locomotives that were remanufactured by Morrison-Knudsen, with $10.5 million of the estimated $53.9 million cost earmarked from statewide gas tax and vehicle registration fees.[34] In June 2019, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of two additional SC-44 locomotives to replace two EMD F59PHI locomotives; they are due for delivery in late 2022.[35] In September 2020, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of two more SC-44 Chargers, for a total of nine; planned for delivery in April 2023, they will be used to expand service.[36][37] Deliveries of the first five Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives took place from August–October 2020; they began revenue service on February 8, 2021,[38][39] the same day Coaster retired their five F40PHM-2C locomotives. Two locomotives were donated; 2103 to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, and 2105 to the Southern California Railway Museum.[40]

In January 2020, Bombardier began to overhaul the legacy BiLevel equipment at a minimum rate of four cars per year; all 28 cars are planned to be overhauled and repainted into the new livery by 2026.[41] The coach overhaul improvements include upgraded door systems, installation of LED light fixtures, seat cushion replacements, installation of electrical charging outlets, and suspension maintenance improvements.[42]

In July 2020, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of eleven new Bombardier BiLevel passenger cars (consisting of eight coaches and three crash-energy management cab-cars) that will be used to add two trainsets to regular service and support SANDAG expansion upon delivery in late 2022.[43] The base order also includes options for 27 additional cars, but such options have not currently been exercised.[44][45]

In August 2018, NCTD announced that they were seeking public opinions and input on a re-brand of the agency, and ran online polls for the public to vote on a new livery for Coaster equipment. The new livery, chosen by Siemens in late 2019, is being applied to the overhauled coaches and to new equipment.[44][46]

In June 2023, the NCTD board voted to sell five older bilevel cars to the Utah Transit Authority, and to sell two Charger locomotives (possibly to Caltrans or Metrolink). The funds will be used for operations or capital projects, including planned conversion to zero-emissions equipment.[47][48]

### Yards

[edit]

NCTD maintains and utilizes two rail yards for Coaster. The main maintenance and storage yard, located at Stuart Mesa on Camp Pendleton, just north of the Oceanside Transit Center. This is where trains are serviced, maintained and stored for the night.[citation needed] From the service's inception in 1995 until 2020, NCTD used Tracks 25, 26 and 27 of the MTS 12th and Imperial yard to store trains during midday.

## See also

[edit]

* Trains portal

* Transportation in San Diego County
* Commuter rail in North America
* List of United States commuter rail systems by ridership

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 15, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
2. ^ a b "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
3. ^ a b "Coaster Schedule" (PDF). North County Transit District. June 9, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
4. ^ a b "COASTER Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District (Press release). March 22, 2021.
5. ^ "Rail Safety Tips". North County Transit District. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
6. ^ "Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program Sixth Round Selected Projects – Project Detail Summary" (PDF). California State Transportation Agency. April 24, 2023. p. 11. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
7. ^ Diehl, Phil (June 27, 2021). "Transit district to increase Coaster commuter train service this fall". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
8. ^ a b c d e "NCTD: Past, Present and Future" (PDF). North County Transit District. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
9. ^ Bradley, Tom Jr. (July 5, 1994). "Study: Rail susceptible to temblors". North County Times. Oceanside, CA - via Newspapers.com.
10. ^ a b "Coaster". Trains Magazine. June 30, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
11. ^ "Company picked to operate COASTER". San Diego Union-Tribune. December 2, 2005. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
12. ^ "Coaster to tackle service delays, interruptions". San Diego Union-Tribune. May 26, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
13. ^ "PTC Fact Sheet" (PDF). NCTD. July 2, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 2, 2020.
14. ^ Prey, Bill; Rekola, Brett (June 2011). Capacity Expansions of LOSSAN Corridor in San Diego (PDF). APTA Rail Conference. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) & North County Transit District. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
15. ^ "California launches $US 6bn North Coast Corridor project". International railway Journal. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
16. ^ Diehl, Phil (June 27, 2021). "Transit district to increase Coaster commuter train service this fall". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
17. ^ Hawkins, Robert J. (November 11, 2011). "Marines, NCTD eye Camp Pendleton Coaster stop". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
18. ^ Bravo, Christina (June 10, 2024). "Where SANDAG is proposing to add tunnels to underground Del Mar's railroad tracks". NBC 7 San Diego. Archived from the original on June 22, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
19. ^ "SANDAG Selects Three Options for Del Mar Train Tunnel". Railway Track and Structures. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
20. ^ "Del Mar clashes with Fairgrounds, residents over guiding principles for rail". The Coast News. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
21. ^ "Angst in Del Mar over underground train tunnels | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
22. ^ "COASTER – NCTD". North County Transit District. 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
23. ^ "COASTER Schedule Effective April 1 – October 7, 2013" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
24. ^ "COASTER Stations". North County Transit District. 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
25. ^ "Coaster Fares and Passes". North County Transit District. 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
26. ^ "Public Meeting For Proposed Fare Changes" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
27. ^ "Goodbye Compass – Hello PRONTO!". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. March 3, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
28. ^ "PRONTO Fares". North County Transit District – NCTD. North County Transit District. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
29. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – PRONTO". Ride PRONTO. PRONTO. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
30. ^ "Introducing Compass Cash via YouTube". San Diego Metropolitan Transit system. June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
31. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Ride PRONTO. PRONTO. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
32. ^ "Coaster 15th Anniversary Quick Facts" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
33. ^ Dickens, Matthew (February 27, 2020). "Public Transportation Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2019" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association.
34. ^ "State Gas Tax Increase Gives $10.5 Million For New COASTER Trains". KPBS. January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
35. ^ "NCTD COASTER Improvements Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
36. ^ "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 9/17/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
37. ^ "North County Transportation District buys more Chargers, helping Siemens reach milestone". Trains Magazine. October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
38. ^ "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 11/19/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
39. ^ "NCTD Celebrates Service Roll Out for New COASTER Locomotive and Overhauled Passenger Cars" (Press release). North County Transit District. February 8, 2021.
40. ^ "Coaster F40 Bound for Southern California Railway Museum". July 20, 2022.
41. ^ "NCTD Key Priority Projects" (PDF). GONCTD. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
42. ^ "NCTD COASTER Improvements Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
43. ^ Sklar, Debbie (July 16, 2020). "Bombardier Signs Contract with NCTD for the Supply of BiLevel Commuter Rail Cars". Times of San Diego. Times of San Diego LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
44. ^ a b "NCTD to replace aging Coaster train fleet". San Diego Union-Tribune. July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
45. ^ Diehl, Phil (June 18, 2023). "Coaster train fleet downsizing after transportation funding fizzles". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
46. ^ "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 04/16/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
47. ^ Luczak, Marybeth (June 26, 2023). "NCTD Cutting Back Coaster Fleet". Railway Age. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
48. ^ "Board of Trustees on 2022-10-26 9:00 AM". rideuta.granicus.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

KML file (edit • help)

Template:Attached KML/Coaster (rail service)

KML is from Wikidata

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coaster (San Diego).

* Coaster – official NCTD site
* 511sd.com—New site for sdcommute.com Archived November 5, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
* San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

* v
* t
* e

COASTER

Stations|

* Oceanside
* Carlsbad Village
* Carlsbad Poinsettia
* Encinitas
* Solana Beach
* Sorrento Valley
* Old Town
* Santa Fe Depot

Other|

* North County Transit District
* SPRINTER
* Compass Card
* PRONTO Card
* San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
* San Diego Association of Governments
* Surf Line

* v
* t
* e

Transportation in San Diego County

Air|

* McClellan–Palomar Airport
* San Diego International Airport

Bus (routes)|

* North County Transit District
* Breeze Rapid
* San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
* Rapid

Commuter rail and inter-city rail|

* COASTER
* Metrolink (Inland Empire–Orange County Line, Orange County Line)
* Pacific Surfliner (Amtrak)

Light rail|

* San Diego Trolley (Blue Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Silver Line, Copper Line)
* SPRINTER

Maritime|

* Broadway Pier
* Port of San Diego

Defunct|

* San Diego Electric Railway
* SuperLoop

* v
* t
* e

Currently operating commuter rail systems in the United States

| California|

* ACE
* Caltrain
* Coaster
* eBART
* Metrolink
* SMART

|

Colorado|

* RTD

Connecticut/Massachusetts|

* CT Rail

Florida|

* SunRail
* Tri-Rail

Illinois/Wisconsin|

* Metra

Indiana/Illinois|

* South Shore Line

Massachusetts/Rhode Island|

* MBTA Commuter Rail

Maryland/West Virginia/Washington, DC|

* MARC

Minnesota|

* Northstar Line

New Jersey/New York/Pennsylvania|

* NJ Transit

| New York|

* Long Island Rail Road

|

New York/Connecticut|

* Metro-North Railroad

New Mexico|

* Rail Runner Express

Oregon|

* WES Commuter Rail

Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware|

* SEPTA Regional Rail

Tennessee|

* WeGo Star

Texas|

* A-train
* CapMetro Rail
* TEXRail
* Trinity Railway Express

Utah|

* FrontRunner

Virginia/Washington, DC|

* Virginia Railway Express

Washington|

* Sounder

Other transit in the United States:

* Rapid transit
* Light rail/Streetcar
* People mover & monorail
* Trolleybus

* v
* t
* e

Railroads of California

Common carriers|

| Class I|

* BNSF Railway
* Union Pacific Railroad

|

Class III|

* Arizona and California Railroad
* Baja California Railroad
* California Northern Railroad
* Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad
* Goose Lake Railway
* Patriot Rail Company (Merced County Central Valley Railroad; Sacramento Valley Railroad)
* Northwestern Pacific Railroad
* San Francisco Bay Railroad
* Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway
* Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Railroad
* San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad
* Sierra Northern Railway
* San Joaquin Valley Railroad
* Santa Maria Valley Railroad
* Stockton Terminal and Eastern Railroad
* Trona Railway
* Ventura County Railroad
* Yreka Western Railroad

Terminal railway|

* Central California Traction Company
* Los Angeles Junction Railway
* Modesto and Empire Traction Company
* Pacific Harbor Line
* Quincy Railroad
* Richmond Pacific Railroad
* West Oakland Pacific Railroad

Passenger carriers|

| Inter-city rail|

* Amtrak
* California Zephyr
* Coast Starlight
* Southwest Chief
* Sunset Limited
* Texas Eagle
* Amtrak California
* Capitol Corridor
* Pacific Surfliner
* San Joaquins

|

Commuter rail|

* Altamont Corridor Express
* Caltrain
* Coaster
* Metrolink
* 91/Perris Valley
* Antelope Valley
* Arrow
* Inland Empire–Orange County
* Orange County
* Riverside
* San Bernardino
* Ventura County
* North County Transit District
* Coaster
* Sprinter
* SMART

Mass transit|

* BART
* eBART
* Metro Rail
* Muni
* cable cars
* Market Street Railway
* Muni Metro
* SacRT
* San Diego Trolley
* VTA

Under construction|

* Brightline West
* California High-Speed Rail
* OC Streetcar

Private carriers|

* Edwards Air Force Base
* Southern California Railroad
* USG Corporation
* West Isle Line, Inc.

Heritage railroads|

* Calico and Odessa Railroad
* California Trolley and Railroad Corporation
* California Western Railroad
* Disneyland Monorail
* Disneyland Railroad
* Ghost Town & Calico Railroad
* Niles Canyon Railway
* Napa Valley Wine Train
* Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
* Poway–Midland Railroad
* Roaring Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad
* Santa Cruz, Big Trees and Pacific Railway
* Sierra Railroad
* Sacramento RiverTrain
* Sacramento Southern Railroad
* Western Pacific Railroad Museum
* Western Railway Museum
* Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

See also
Former carriers in California
List of United States railroads by political division
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*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template