[PRCo] Re: New__Railway__Properties__--__Portland--OR___MAX

[Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // James B. Holland]

Good Morning!

This will be a series of emails on Portland, OR, Metro Area Express  
(MAX)  light rail  --  if not interested, please act accordingly  
(delete key somewhere!)


Forgot to mention  --  downtown loop is left curb operation and thus 
left side boarding on  'Smithfield and Wood!'       Tracks are diamond 
lane and off limits to autos.       Line then goes along Skidmore 
heading north beside the Willamette through the very nicely restored 
Historical // Gas Light District.       Low level spots prone to 
flooding during heavy rains and river not unknown to climb its banks.

Included are 2 shots of the Steel Bridge looking toward downtown 
Portland west of the Willamette.

The convention Center is east of the River and Lloyd's Center is a 
popular shopping area.       Side of the road operation in convention 
center.       As the lrv leaves Lloyd Center it is then 2.25 miles from 
the downtown terminal and is heading for about 5 miles of side of the 
freeway operation to Gateway center  -- then 5 miles of center of the 
highway prw on Burnside and then a couple miles of single track with one 
passing siding and a double track stub terminal in Gresham  --  this has 
since been upgraded to double track.

Look closely behind the lrvs in the last photo  --  that is Mt. Hood 
which is still Many Miles East!       Snow capped Year Round.




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Re: New Railway Properties
Date: 	Wed, 15 Mar 2006 02:55:52 -0800
From: 	Holland Electric Rwy. Op. H.E.R.O. -- Import SPTC 1.48 Models // 
James B. Holland <PRCoPCC at P-R-Co.com>
To: 	pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
References: 	<20060314221918.56774.qmail at web54713.mail.yahoo.com>



-------  [Snipped]  -------


Saw and rode Portland, OR, just after it opened in 1986 and it is The 
Only System to which I wish to make a return trip.       Innovative 
system, well constructed, excellent equipment from Bombardier, Very 
Interesting Lines, Beautiful city, wonderful place to live.       Their 
new Siemens low-floor lrvs  (L-o-w-e-r   Than  PRCo Jones Cars!!!)  also 
have a tendency to hunt  --  I rode them not long after the westside 
extension to Hillsboro opened and while the equipment was new, it had a 
tendency to hunt.       Do  NOT  like the low floor equipment  --  maybe 
I shall when I am 'Old'  --  when I rode Siemens in Portland I rode in 
the standard floor section above the power truck  --  W--A--Y    too  
vulnerable in low-floor section from someone who avoids signals and runs 
a grade crossing  --  tractor trailer and low-floor lrv at a grade 
crossing would be One Heinous Mess!       But I haven't been back since 
the new streetcar system opened and I had liked to go every couple 
years.       Should be able to make that trip more often now.       Had 
a beautiful house picked out up there  --  but Tri-Met  (Local transit 
authority which operates MAX rail  --  Metro Area Express)  took over 
the property and razed the house!       Now part of their maintenance 
facilities for the East side yard near Gresham!




Jim__Holland


I__Like__Ike.......And__PCCs!!

down with pantographs ---- UP___WITH___TROLLEYPOLES!!!!!!!


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