April 11, 2008

Commuter rail signal system testing continues

Increased train speeds test signals, gates and lights

The Washington County Commuter Rail project will continue to test its new signal system at crossings by running additional freight trains at higher speeds along the alignment between Wilsonville and Beaverton. Test trains will run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour compared to standard freight service, which travels at 25 MPH in this corridor.

Freight trains are traveling through crossings to test the operation of vehicle and pedestrian crossing devices, including signals, gates and lights. At a minimum, test trains must make four passes at each crossing at the increased speed. Flaggers will be available at crossings during the testing process.

Testing along the commuter rail alignment will occur throughout the entire day through the opening of the new WES Commuter Rail Line in the fall.

About the project

Washington County Commuter Rail will use existing freight tracks to provide commuter rail service to Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville when it opens in fall 2008. It is the first commuter rail line in Oregon, and among a handful of suburb-to-suburb commuter lines in the country. When complete it 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.