‘A New Era For California Passenger Rail:’ Amtrak Rebrands San Joaquins Route As ‘Gold Runner’

On Monday, Amtrak announced the rebrand of California’s historic San Joaquins route through the Central Valley. The train will now be known as the Gold Runner in what Amtrak is calling “a new era for California passenger rail.” “This new identity captures the energy and optimism of our region while positioning us for the future of passenger rail and intercity bus service ,” said Interim Executive Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA), David Lipari.”It reflects the spirit of partnership, innovation, and service that defines everything we do.” Here’s what to know about Amtrak’s latest rebrand. The Amtrak Gold Runner rebrand ------------------------------ This passenger route through the Central Valley has been known as the “San Joaquins” since it began service in 1974 . It was officially rebranded on November 3, 2025 as the “Gold Runner” in an ode to the region’s Gold Rush history. The new brand is also meant to honor the agency’s long-term expansion plans and future rail strategy under a unified title. This includes the Thruway bus network , which connects over half of riders to Amtrak stations throughout the state. SJJPA will celebrate the rebrand with a launch event on Nov. 14, 2025 , at the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility in Stockton. They will also reveal the new Gold Runner-branded trains and buses. Traversing California’s Central Valley -------------------------------------- The Gold Runner route begins in Bakersfield and travels north through the Central Valley. It culminates in two northern terminuses, which branch off in Stockton: one in Oakland and the other in Sacramento . Significant stops along the way include Corcoran, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Modesto, Stockton, and Lodi. If coming from Los Angeles, passengers can reach the Bakersfield stop via the Thruway bus services , which run from L.A.’s Union Station. The ride takes 2 to 3 hours. Long-term plans for Amtrak -------------------------- In Amtrak’s announcement of the Gold Runner rebrand, they referenced “SJJPA’s long-term expansion plans and California’s broader rail strategy .” This involves connections with the future of California’s high-speed rail development , increased train frequency and routes, and more collaboration with other agencies. The integration of local, regional, and high-speed rail should eventually improve connectivity and cohesiveness all over the state, resulting in a more sustainable and accessible system. 🌐 Learn more : GoldRunner.com Source: https://secretlosangeles.com/amtrak-san-joaquins-gold-runner-rebrand/