November 24, 2008

TriMet WES Trains Testing at 60 mph

Freight trains also running at higher speeds

TriMet WES Commuter Rail trains are now traveling at the top speeds allowed by the redesigned rail corridor. During ongoing test runs, WES trains can and are obtaining speeds up to 60 miles per hour, and they will continue to be able to reach that speed when revenue service begins Feb. 2, 2009.

Portland & Western (P&W) trains continue to carry freight along the corridor and will have the ability to travel at higher speeds than in the past. Before the tracks were redesigned and upgraded for the commuter rail project, P&W freight trains traveled up to 25 miles per hour in this corridor.

To prepare for passenger service, testing of WES trains will continue throughout the entire day until revenue service begins, at which times WES will run during weekday commute hours. As always, P&W freight trains run day and night to meet freight shipping needs.

Safety around train tracks

Trains can travel in either direction at any time. It is more important than ever for drivers and pedestrians pay close attention. The WES Commuter Rail safety campaign provides these tips for staying safe around train tracks:

• Stop, look and listen before crossing tracks.
• Never walk on or play near tracks.
• Be aware that an approaching train may be closer and moving faster than it appears.

About the project

WES will use existing freight tracks to provide commuter rail service to Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville when it opens in February 2009. WES is the first commuter rail line in Oregon, and among a handful of suburb-to-suburb commuter lines in the country. The 14.7-mile line will connect to the Beaverton Transit Center with nearly a dozen bus lines, and MAX Blue and Red lines as well as bus service at each station.