A commuter rail line that shares tracks with freight trains to move Oregon passengers
In short: The Westside Express Service (WES) connects Beaverton and Wilsonville, Oregon, using a unique shared-use model. Operating on tracks that also carry heavy freight, this 14.7-mile line features specialized gauntlet tracks to accommodate different train widths. Despite its modest size, the service has navigated complex engineering challenges, financial hurdles, and evolving ridership demands.
The WES line, which opened on February 2, 2009, operates on historic rail corridors originally built in the early 20th century. The route utilizes segments constructed by the Oregon Electric Railway in 1908 and the Beaverton and Willsburg Railroad in 1910. Today, the Portland & Western Railroad manages freight operations on these tracks, while TriMet oversees the commuter service. This collaboration is governed by a 50-year shared-use agreement, ensuring that commuter trains receive priority dispatching over freight traffic.
A defining technical feature of the WES infrastructure is the use of gauntlet tracks at intermediate stations like Tigard and Tualatin. These allow freight trains, which are often wider than passenger cars, to pass safely by high-level platforms without striking them. The fleet itself consists of self-propelled diesel multiple unit (DMU) cars, which do not require overhead wires or separate locomotives. These vehicles were manufactured by Colorado Railcar, a company that faced significant financial difficulties during the project's development, leading to delays and a $3 million loss for TriMet.
Ridership and operational costs have remained central to discussions about the line's future. While the service was initially projected to carry 4,000 daily riders by 2020, actual numbers have fluctuated, with daily ridership recorded at 420 in spring 2022. The high cost per boarding ride—which reached $108.09 by December 2020—has sparked ongoing debates regarding potential extensions to cities like Salem. Legislative efforts, such as the proposed House Bill 3453 in 2025, have sought to restructure the service under a new authority to potentially increase capacity and expand the reach of the line.
Beyond its transit function, the line incorporates local culture through 'The Interactivator' art displays at each station. These sculptures, created by Frank Boyden and Brad Rude, mirror the movement of the trains on the tracks. Despite the challenges of noise complaints, equipment maintenance, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transit, WES remains a distinct example of how legacy freight infrastructure can be adapted for modern regional commuting.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: WES Commuter Rail
- Also: Wikidata — WES Commuter Rail · CC0
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