The event honored the past while welcoming the future — the Type 6
Under sunny skies, rays of nostalgia beamed from the estimated 3,000 community members who joined TriMet at Holladay Park in Northeast Portland on April 18 to say goodbye to our Type 1 MAX trains.
The event, marking the end of our original MAX trains’ four decades of service, transformed the park into a tribute to a vehicle that helped shape modern transit in the Portland region. From longtime riders to families with kids experiencing the Type 1 up close for the first time, people came to express their gratitude. Some guests even arrived in imaginative, transit-themed costumes.
At the center of the event was a soon-to-be-retired Type 1 MAX, transformed into a farewell card on an industrial scale. Attendees were invited to sign the train’s exterior. They covered it in memories, jokes, art and well-wishes. By the end of the event, nearly every available inch of space was covered with handwritten notes.
The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was one of celebration and appreciation. Riders shared stories of daily commutes, first rides and lifelong memories. For many, the Type 1 occupies a special place in their memories as the one-of-a-kind MAX vehicle that has served riders for two generations.
Thank you, to everyone who attended, as well as the operators, maintenance crews and other employees whose hard work made both the event and the decades of Type 1 service possible.
Toward the future with the Type 6
The centerpiece of the event, MAX vehicle 124, will likely be the last Type 1 to operate on TriMet’s rail system. Most of the Type 1s are being recycled, while one has been donated to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum.
While April 18 marked the end of the line for the Type 1, it also represents a transition for TriMet’s MAX system. TriMet continues to roll out all 30 of our new light rail vehicles, the Type 6. First introduced in January 2025, the Type 6 features a host of modern features designed to improve the rider experience and enhance system reliability.
The Type 6 trains feature a contemporary design with improved lighting, digital information displays and more intuitive wayfinding features. Upgraded seating and climate control systems deliver a more comfortable ride in all seasons.
Unlike the Type 1s, which were not ADA-compliant on their own and had to be paired with low-floor vehicles, the Type 6s were designed with accessibility in mind. Level boarding, wide doorways and enhanced priority seating areas make it easier for riders with disabilities to travel confidently.
Behind the scenes, the Type 6 vehicles are equipped with advanced technology that supports improved performance, diagnostics and maintenance efficiency. These tools will help TriMet provide more reliable service across the MAX network.
As we say goodbye to the trains that started it all, we look forward to the future they made possible.
To learn more about the Type 6 MAX trains, visit: trimet.org/type6.