Transit Unplugged TV Special: How to Build a Train, Inside Stadler’s Utah Rail Factory with CEO Martin Ritter 

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Ever wondered how a modern passenger train actually gets built? In this special episode of Transit Unplugged TV, host Paul Comfort gets an unprecedented, all-access behind-the-scenes tour of Stadler’s train manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah — guided personally by Stadler US CEO Martin Ritter. 

From aluminum car shells and the welding shop to truck assembly, cable harnesses, and the private test track, this episode walks through every stage of building a train — including the commuter and transit cars Stadler has been building for Caltrain, MARTA, Metra, Trinity Metro, and Utah’s own UTA. 
 
In this episode you’ll see: 

  • Why Stadler builds trains out of lightweight aluminum instead of steel 
  • How diesel-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and battery-electric trains all share the same core power pack platform 
  • Inside a train “truck” — the wheel and suspension assembly that controls ride comfort and safety 
  • Why Stadler’s multiple-unit trains skip the locomotive entirely, and why engineers prefer it 
  • More than 35 miles of cable packed into a single train car 
  • Stadler’s youth rail apprenticeship program, built with the state of Utah 
  • How Buy America compliance and 300+ local suppliers power Utah’s rail manufacturing economy 
  • What happens on Stadler’s own test track before a train ever reaches a customer 
  • How finished trains get shipped to Atlanta, the Bay Area, and beyond 

Filmed on location as part of our Transit Unplugged TV Utah episode, this is a rare inside look at one of the most advanced rail manufacturing facilities in North America. 

Credits 
Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com     
Host: Paul Comfort     
Producer: Paul Comfort     
Music Composer/Supervisor: Jaime Cuadra     
Sound Design: Jaime Cuadra    
Director of Photography: Jaime Cuadra     
Video Editor: Jaime Cuadra     
Executive Producer: Julie Gates    
Associate Producer: Cyndi Raskin   
Newsletter: Chris O’Keeffe   
Media Intern: Desmond Gates 

Special Thanks 
Tina Olagundoye, Brand Design     
Emmett Strack, Social Media 
Stadler US Inc. 
Charlotte Thalhammer, Stadler US 
Courtney Robertson, Stadler US 
Allie Harwood, Stadler US 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.