TriMet’s pioneering light rail vehicle will find new life at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum

After more than 38 years of service and 2.2 million miles traveled, one of TriMet’s oldest MAX trains is nearing its next stop – retirement. 

TriMet is donating Type 1 vehicle “101” to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum, a move that will preserve the first MAX train car ever manufactured. The vehicle will join the museum’s vast collection of electric trolleys and streetcars, but with a twist sure to delight TriMet diehards and rail fans across the state.

In recognition of the donation and the vehicle’s legacy, TriMet is bidding farewell to MAX car 101 at our Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility on Tuesday, July 8. The car will be transported to the museum later this month. This ensures the MAX car remains in the Willamette Valley, available for in-person experiences. The museum is located in Brooks, Ore., about 38 miles south of Portland via Interstate 5.

The donation also comes with a special goal in mind: to keep the car running. That’s the long-term mission of the museum, which features a mile-long track that runs through its property. This ensures that a vital piece of Portland’s transit history continues to roll into the future!

Type 1s roll on through 2025

The donation comes as we phase out our fleet of Type 1s and introduce the new Type 6s, our most technologically advanced MAX trains yet. If you’re interested in catching a Type 1 before they disappear, you’re in luck. A few trains will continue serving riders through the start of 2026. 

If you’re unsure about which type of MAX train you’re boarding, just look for the number at the top of the train. Another rule of thumb – if there are stairs, it’s a Type 1. Because the stairs make the Type 1s inaccessible to some, they are always coupled with either a Type 2 or Type 3 MAX car that has low floors. 

Most Type 1s are being sent to Radius Recycling, where they’re being turned into materials like rebar that will be used for local construction projects. Preserving at least one of the cars will keep a vital piece of the state’s rail transit history in the region for generations to come.

“This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and ensure the legacy and history of light rail is recognized,” TriMet’s Project Manager for Vehicle Engineering Joe Taylor said. “The Type 1s were designed and built in 1983 and went into service in 1986. They have been a fantastic workhorse for the agency, and we are excited to partner with the Oregon Electric Railway Museum to preserve one for future generations.”

The donation fulfills a longstanding goal that has been more than 30 years in the making, museum leadership said

“This donation continues the story of Portland’s transit history at our museum for future generations to enjoy,” Oregon Electric Railway Heritage Society Secretary Mark Kavanagh said. 

Showcasing public transportation

The Oregon Electric Railway Museum’s home is the 62-acre Powerland Heritage Park, a campus of 14 museums reflecting the preservation, restoration and operation of historic equipment. The museum has a collection of over 30 pieces, including streetcars, interurbans and electric freight locomotives, representing not just Portland but also other cities in the U.S., as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. 

“As soon as the first Type 1 light rail vehicle started operation in 1986, we were making plans for the museum to acquire one upon retirement,” said Greg Bonn, the museum’s former director and son of its founder.

The museum plans to make modifications to its overhead trolley wire to allow the donated MAX car to operate. In the near term, the museum will display the vehicle near the museum’s trolley depot at Powerland Heritage Park during the Great Oregon Steam-up, scheduled for July 26-27 and August 2-3.

After Steam-up, it will be moved to the museum’s vehicle barn for occasional tours, where it will join two original 1904 Council Crest Portland Streetcars and the last streetcar purchased by the Portland Traction Company in 1932. 

The museum is open on Saturdays in the summer months, along with special events with trolley rides. The Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society, an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, also operates the Willamette Shore Trolley between Lake Oswego and Portland.  For more about the museum, visit: museum.oregontrolley.com 

Regular MAX service resumes Tuesday, June 10, with riders using a new temporary platform

A major remodel of the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station begins Tuesday, June 10, but don’t sweat it –  MAX trains will keep serving the station this summer and fall!

Starting June 10 – when regular MAX Blue, Green and Red Line service returns – you’ll use a temporary platform while we renovate the station. This work will continue until the end of 2025. 

To finish the temporary platform, crews used the June 8-9 MAX disruption to build stairs to it. You’ll access the temporary stairs on the southbound side of Northeast 82nd Avenue, across the street from the permanent stairway, which will be closed during the station’s renovation. 

Renovating the MAX station will significantly improve it, focusing on safety, accessibility and maintainability. The station opened in 1986 as part of the original MAX line between Downtown Portland and Gresham. Over the years, train traffic has tripled as the MAX system has expanded, first with the MAX Red Line in 2001, followed by the MAX Green Line in 2009. Along with the station’s proximity to the bustling Northeast 82nd Avenue corridor, the expansion of the MAX system has resulted in the station becoming the most active one along Interstate 84. 

Rider tips

TriMet has been working for months on ways to keep riders moving during the NE 82nd Ave MAX Improvements Project. On Tuesday, June 10, and Wednesday, June 11, TriMet will have On-Street Customer Service representatives at the station to help riders with the transition. Signs are also posted directing people to the new stairs.  

• The temporary stairs are located near the southbound lanes on the west side of Northeast 82nd Avenue. 
• The elevator, near the northbound lanes on the east side, will remain in service throughout construction.
• Remember, the elevator is now equipped with access-control devices. Tap or scan your fare at the reader to open the doors. There is no charge for using the elevator. 
• The stop for bus lines 72-Killingsworth/82nd Ave, 77-Broadway/Halsey and 287-Blue Eastside has been moved about 65 feet to the north, closer to the intersection of Northeast 82nd Avenue and Northeast Jonesmore Street. A new bus shelter has also been installed.
• MAX trains will serve the station on their regular schedules. 

If you have questions, contact TriMet Customer Service at 503-238-7433 (RIDE) between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Why renovate the NE 82nd Ave MAX Station?

During construction, crews will completely repave the platform’s surface and add new tactile strips on the edge of the platform.

The existing shelter will undergo a complete renovation. This includes re-roofing to protect riders against the elements and a thorough refurbishment to maintain its original design. The architectural details and period-specific elements will be preserved to respect the historical consistency of the original MAX station. 

In addition to the renovation, a new shelter and windscreens will be constructed on the east side of the platform, increasing the amount of weather protection available. This expansion aims to improve comfort and convenience, especially during inclement weather.

The current stairway, which has been in use for more than 38 years, will be completely rebuilt. This reconstruction will ensure structural integrity and enhance user safety and convenience. Design considerations will also include accessibility standards to facilitate ease of use for our riders.

A decommissioned building located at the platform’s eastern end, has already been dismantled and removed. It was a remnant of the original MAX system, used to lift people in mobility devices into high-floor trains. It became obsolete with the introduction of low-floor trains in the 1990s. This removal is crucial for improving visibility and sight lines, enhancing overall safety and our ability to maintain the station.

Making Transit Better

Public transit matters in our region. While the Portland metro area is the 23rd largest in the United States, we have the 12th highest transit ridership. Per capita, it’s the 9th highest. That’s why TriMet doesn’t rest when it comes to improving transit.

Over the past year, we have begun introducing Type 6 trains, 30 of which will be in service by 2026. They are replacing our original MAX trains, many of which have been operated continuously since 1986, with some logging more than 2 million miles!

Meanwhile, the recently completed East Burnside MAX Improvements Project boosted the resiliency of the MAX Blue Line east of the Gateway Transit Center. A new wire-tensioning system installed during the project will help trains keep moving in extreme heat, and a new rail crossing has created a smoother ride with less jostling of the rail. 

These are just some of the ways we continue to improve our system’s safety, cleanliness and reliability. We thank our riders for their understanding as we work to make transit better. 

Access control devices  now in operation at NE 60th and NE 82nd MAX Station elevators

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve elevator safety and reliability, TriMet has installed access-control devices on elevators at our NE 60th Ave and NE 82nd Ave MAX stations. These elevators, along with the one at the Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave, are now only accessible to riders with a valid fare. While valid fare is required, there is no cost to use the elevators.

Elevator access control was first introduced as a permanent feature of the Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave MAX station after a month-long trial in 2023. The result has been a reduction in misuse and improved reliability of the elevator for those who need it, including people with mobility challenges, bicycles or strollers with children.

Elevator access control – A step-by-step guide

TriMet operates 17 elevators at MAX stations, transit centers and parking garages across our system. Many of these elevators are located at our grade-separated stations, such as those along Interstate 84. The elevators provide access to TriMet service for people who have mobility challenges. TriMet has worked to upgrade many of our elevators over the years through our Elevator Improvement Program, and we continue to focus efforts on reducing unnecessary wear and tear so they are available for those who need them.

To use an access-controlled elevator, tap a Hop card, contactless credit/debit card or phone on the black reader by the elevator’s door until it displays “Elevator Access.”  For riders with tickets printed on buses, hold the QR code below the QR code reader underneath the device. The doors will then open, possibly after a brief wait. There is no charge to use the elevator. 

These devices are not Hop fare readers. Riders must tap their Hop card, payment card or phone at the green Hop reader on MAX platforms to pay fare before boarding the train. 

Added security measures

Access control is one of several significant safety and security improvements TriMet has introduced over the past two years. With nearly 500 people dedicated to safety and security on the system, TriMet has more people than ever before to support riders and enforce the rules for riding.

More enforcement has led to positive security outcomes. Calls for police service on TriMet have dropped 40% since 2022. Having more unarmed security personnel present creates a visible deterrent that discourages inappropriate behavior.

Recent additions to safety and security over the past year include: 

• Security Operations Center: Using thousands of surveillance cameras and an integrated communications platform, dispatchers at TriMet’s Security Operations Center respond to calls and deploy safety and security personnel in real time.
• Blue-light security phones: TriMet has installed 18 blue-light security phones on MAX platforms, with more planned in the future. These red towers with a bright blue light on top give the riders a direct line of communication with TriMet’s Security Operations Center. They are similar to technology that college campuses have used for decades. 
• Drug laws: Senate Bill 1553 went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, making possession of small amounts of illicit drugs on public transit a serious misdemeanor. Since the passage of the law last spring, TriMet has seen a steep decrease in reports of drug use on and around the system. 

The goal of elevator access control is cleaner and more reliable elevator service for riders. We continue to urge riders to be our eyes and ears and to let us know if you see unacceptable behavior. Text or call our 24/7 security hotline: 503-238-7433 (RIDE). For emergency matters that require police, riders should contact 911 immediately.

Two of the new vehicles entered regular service for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 16

The first riders hopped on board TriMet’s new “Type 6” MAX trains on Thursday, Jan. 16, signaling another major advancement in our light rail system.

Two of the new vehicles, paired together to create one train, rolled out of TriMet’s Ruby Junction Rail Operating Facility at 6:06 a.m. to meet riders for the morning commute. In total, 30 new vehicles will enter service in the months ahead, operating on all five MAX lines. As TriMet’s most advanced trains, the Type 6s are part of an overall effort to boost reliability and the rider experience. 

TriMet is excited to introduce the new trains. Before service, each one undergoes thousands of miles of testing to ensure they will provide a safe and reliable ride. With these trains being our most advanced, they require an even more exacting level of attention.

The Type 6 trains hold another notable first. They’re the first that are not entering service alongside an extension of the MAX system. That has been the norm since TriMet introduced the MAX system in 1986. Testing took place after hours, during regular service and during a short disruption in June 2024.

 Better rides, more reliability

On the outside, the newest MAX trains look similar to our last generation of vehicles, the “Type 5,” introduced in 2015 when the MAX Orange Line opened. Both are manufactured by Siemens Mobility. They’re the same length – 96 feet, 11 inches – and the same width – 8 feet, 8 inches.  They’re also both blue with orange stripes. But look closely on the inside, and it’s a different story.

Video-enabled destination screens: On the ceiling are digital destination displays, enhanced by graphics and video. Not only do they show the station the train is approaching, they’re capable of displaying special messages and video packages. By using improved accessibility features, riders will have more information available to them as they ride.

Improved lighting and temperature control: New LED lights around the doors indicate when they’re available for boarding and getting off trains. The lights will display in green when a door is ready for use, red when it’s closed and cannot be used and flash yellow when the doors are operating to provide better visual aids for riders. Improved temperature controls will help the trains stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Predictive maintenance for reliability: One thing riders may not notice – at least not at first – is the ability to use predictive maintenance to improve the trains’ reliability. Sensors in the trains will communicate digitally with our maintenance teams, giving them better information to troubleshoot and solve issues before they occur.  

Advanced security system: On board security cameras are better, too. They will provide clearer pictures and feature wireless data for remote downloading of footage.

Here’s another way to know you’re on a Type 6: Check the train number! Every Type 6 is labeled with a three-digit number that starts with 6. From the outside of the train, you’ll see the number on the top near the light and on both sides of the vehicle. Inside, the train number is displayed on both ends near the operator cab

Introducing a better MAX

The new Type 6 trains are an investment in the future, as light rail vehicles typically last for decades. The Type 1s are evidence of this, serving the MAX system for nearly 40 years. 

Introduction of the Type 6 means our first generation MAX trains will retire. They have been a reliable source of transportation for riders across the MAX system since 1986, a 39-year period where some of the trains have surpassed 2 million miles. That’s the equivalent of about 80 trips around the Earth’s equator! 

The decommissioning process for the Type 1s began when the first Type 6 trains began arriving for their extensive testing period. TriMet will continue phasing out our original Type 1 vehicles in 2025. Not only have the trains exceeded their lifespan, parts for the vehicles are no longer available. 

TriMet plans to donate one of the Type 1 trains to the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks, Ore., for preservation. 

Improving the overall system

TriMet has been working on ways to reduce travel times and improve the overall rider experience on MAX. This is achieved through investments in technology and personnel, along with improvements projects that keep the MAX system running reliably. Recently, the multi-year A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability project was completed, with the extension of the MAX Red Line to Hillsboro opening to riders on Aug. 28, 2024. 

Along with major reliability projects aimed at improving the light rail system, TriMet has also invested in enhanced cleaning efforts focused on our MAX system. Our Clean Team is out every day, power washing, removing graffiti, picking up litter and more to make our facilities feel safe and welcoming. 

We’ve also added more safety and security personnel than ever before, along with other safety resources, such as our Security Operation Center and blue-light security phones, for reporting issues. Remember, you can always text or call 503-238-7433 (RIDE) to report suspicious or illegal behavior.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, hop on board and ride responsibly to and from your New Year’s celebration of choice

With 2025 right around the corner, there’s one annual tradition that’s even more predictable than making (or breaking) a list of resolutions, and that’s riding TriMet for free on New Year’s Eve. 

TriMet wants you to celebrate responsibly, travel smart and kick off 2025 on a high note. Free rides on buses and MAX trains start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and will last until the end of service after midnight. Bus service and extended late-night service on the MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow lines will make it safe and convenient to get to and from events across the area.

Three celebrations to remember

• Portland’s New Year’s Eve Drone Show at Pioneer Courthouse Square: Let’s go to the drone show! This year, Portland’s New Year’s Eve Drone Show at Pioneer Courthouse Square will be a dazzling, family-friendly way to ring in the new year. The event will feature a display of 200 synchronized drones lighting up the night sky. Two shows are scheduled — one at 9 p.m. to celebrate midnight on the East Coast and another at midnight for the West Coast countdown. This free and open-to-all celebration promises a memorable experience in the heart of Downtown Portland. 

You will want to try to get there early, as MAX service through Downtown will temporarily pause during the drone shows. All MAX riders should plan for some delays while the drone shows are taking place.

Getting there: The MAX Blue, Green, Orange, Red and Yellow lines serve stations near Pioneer Courthouse Square. Numerous TriMet bus lines stop nearby, particularly along the Transit Mall — Southwest Fifth and Sixth avenues — and surrounding streets. 

• ‘Bing’ in the New Year: Did you know the Bing cherry was developed in Milwaukie and named after the horticulturalist, Ah Bing, who first cultivated it in 1875? It will be easy to remember after attending Milwaukie’s New Year celebration, which will honor this bit of cultural heritage with live music, Chinese cultural performances, food vendors, a beer and mead garden and a cherry drop! The family-friendly fun starts at 6 p.m. Make sure you arrive at 10723 SE Main St, Milwaukie (site of the Milwaukie Farmers Market) for the lowering of an illuminated, seven-foot, sparkling  Bing cherry at 9 p.m.!

Getting there: Take the MAX Orange Line to the Milwaukie/Main St MAX Station. It’s a short walk to the market, located at Southeast Main and Harrison streets. Several TriMet bus lines also serve downtown Milwaukie, including Line 33-McLoughlin/King Rd, Line 70-12/NE 33rd Ave and Line 75-Cesar Chavez/Lombard. 

• New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow: You can also celebrate New Year’s Eve in a safe and sober way with the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) at their annual New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow. This family-friendly event features youth activities, drumming, dancing, and a special sober countdown to ring in the new year. Attendees are encouraged to bring their dancing shoes and join the festivities. This year’s powwow takes place at the Oregon Convention Center (Exhibit Halls A-A1), a convenient location whether you’re traveling by bus or MAX.

Getting there: Take the MAX Green, Blue or Red Line to the Convention Center MAX Station. Bus Line 6-Martin Luther King Jr Blvd stops near the Convention Center on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, while Line 8-Jackson Park/NE 15th stops at the Lloyd Center/NE 11th area, within walking distance. Also within walking distance is the Rose Quarter Transit Center, where multiple bus lines stop.

Plan your trip today

With so many celebration options available this New Year’s Eve, we encourage riders to start planning their trips now! TriMet covers 533 square miles and 24 cities, all spread across three counties. With free rides returning this New Year’s Eve, this makes us the most expansive free travel option in the state! Portland Streetcar and C-TRAN are also offering free rides, so you have even more ways to get around for free.

This year, MAX Blue, Green, Orange and Yellow Line trains will operate two to three hours later than usual and arrive at stations every 30 minutes. MAX Red Line trains will end service on their regular schedule, with the last train to Portland International Airport departing the Hillsboro Airport/Fairgrounds MAX Station at 10:34 p.m. For more information about schedules, go to trimet.org/NYE.

You can also start planning now by going to trimet.org/planner. Just remember to set Jan. 1 as your departure time for trips back home if you’re leaving after midnight. 

We know that plans can change when you’re already out. You can check trimet.org at any time for the latest information — including real-time locations for all of our buses and trains. When you are out, we want to hear from you if you see disruptive, illegal or inappropriate behavior. Call or text non-urgent concerns to 503-238-7433 (RIDE). In an emergency, always dial 911. 

Stay safe and have a happy New Year!

The New Year brings promise and opportunity. But with all the celebrating taking place on New Year’s Eve, it can also be a dangerous night to be out on the road — even if you aren’t driving. Make sure to stay alert, check your belongings and report any security concerns to TriMet personnel.

Along with our transportation partners, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), TriMet wants to help people avoid impaired driving. In addition to TriMet’s free rides on New Year’s, PBOT will also offer Safe Ride Home this year, which provides discounts on Uber and Lyft rides on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.