[1] With this new source of money, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) set out to specify a standardized railcar that would be suitable for rail operations across the state.

The result of this effort were original designs for both intercity and commuter rail cars, optimized for California service within the volume defined by the Amtrak Superliner.

These include two large entry vestibules for high-volume passenger loading and unloading, two automatically controlled door pairs per side, an on-board wheelchair lift, two straight staircases, bicycle storage, large workstation tables, a food service car with an elevator to move food and other supplies to the sales counter on the upper level, center aisles of width compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and control cab cars to allow for push-pull operation.

The doors failed ten times more often than cars operated by other agencies, causing service delays.

[4] In early 1998, documents obtained by the Contra Costa Times under the California Public Records Act revealed that in some cars floor panels were sagging and the suspension system was deemed "highly suspect and potentially unstable."

Caltrans staff members and consultants warned that the cars did not live up to their cost and recommended extending warranties on floor panels for five years.

Caltrans defended the cars, calling them fundamentally sound and saying the settlement was the best deal available as Amerail was preparing to go out of business.

Between 2009 and 2012, Alstom repaired the cars at its Mare Island, California, facility; the work included a complete replacement of the door systems.

[7] The overhaul has significantly improved reliability of the California Cars, which still see heavy use on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins routes.

On Capitol Corridor trains the shelves on the luggage rack are stowed, revealing securements for 3 bikes.

The lower level has 7 seats, one wheelchair position,[9] one restroom and a locked compartment used to store checked baggage.