View source for WES Commuter Rail

{{Short description|Commuter rail service in Oregon, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = WES Commuter Rail
| other_name                      = Washington County Commuter Rail Project<br />Wilsonville to Beaverton Commuter Rail Project
| color                           = 
| image                           = TriMet WES Commuter Rail approaching Tualatin WES Station (53840515559).jpg
| image_width                     = 
| caption                         = A WES train in [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]]
| type                            = [[Commuter rail]]
| system                          = 
| status                          = <!-- Only use when line is not operating normally -->
| locale                          = [[Portland metropolitan area]], [[Oregon]], U.S.
| start                           = [[Beaverton Transit Center]] (north)
| end                             = [[Wilsonville Transit Center|Wilsonville]] (south)<!--"Wilsonville" is the official name of Wilsonville Transit Center used by WES-->
| stations                        = 5
| website                         = {{URL|https://trimet.org/wes/index.htm|trimet.org/wes}}
| daily_ridership                 = {{American transit ridership|OR Portland CR daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| ridership2                      = {{American transit ridership|OR Portland CR annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| open                            = February 2, 2009
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[TriMet]]
| operator                        = [[Portland & Western Railroad]]<ref name="cardebut">{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2008 |title=WES rail car debuts in Wilsonville |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=121390694491745300 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623081912/http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=121390694491745300 |archive-date=June 23, 2008 |access-date=January 1, 2017 |website=[[Portland Tribune]]}}</ref>
| character                       = [[Intersection (road)#At grade railways|At-grade]]
| stock                           = [[Colorado Railcar]] Aero, [[Budd Rail Diesel Car]]
| linelength                      = {{Convert|14.7|mi|km|1|abbr=on}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| speed                           = {{Convert|37|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="cardebut" /><br />{{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} top speed<ref name="cardebut" />
| elevation                       = 
| map                             = {{Westside Express Service|inline=1}}
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
| map_name                        = Route diagram
}}

The '''Westside Express Service''' ('''WES''') is a [[commuter rail]] line serving parts of the [[Portland metropolitan area]]'s [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington]] and [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas]] counties in the U.S. state of [[Oregon]]. Owned by [[TriMet]] and operated by [[Portland & Western Railroad]] (P&W), it travels {{convert|14.7|mi|km|1}} between [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]] and [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]] along a route just west of [[Oregon Route 217|Oregon Highway 217]] (OR 217) and [[Interstate 5 (Oregon)|Interstate 5]] (I-5). The line serves five stations and connects with [[MAX Light Rail]] at [[Beaverton Transit Center]]. Service operates on a 45-minute [[headway]] on weekdays during the morning and evening [[rush hour]]s. In spring 2022, WES saw a daily ridership of 420 passengers or about 109,000 riders annually.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Route Ridership Report, Weekdays, Spring 2022 |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/route/2022spring/route_ridership_report_(sorted_by_route)_weekday.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710214854/https://trimet.org/about/pdf/route/2022spring/route_ridership_report_(sorted_by_route)_weekday.pdf }}</ref>

Local officials in Washington County began studying the feasibility of an intercity commuter rail service in 1996, and the '''Washington County Commuter Rail Project''' acquired approval from affected jurisdictions in 2002. Construction commenced in 2006 and it opened on February 2, 2009. From the start of the first serious discussions of the idea,<ref name="oreg96jul">{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Don |date=July 18, 1996 |title=Cities take another look at trains |page=1 |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref> it took thirteen years and $166&nbsp;million to get WES operational.<ref name="djc200907">{{Cite news |last=Justin Carinci |date=July 7, 2009 |title=State studying WES possibilities |work=[[Daily Journal of Commerce]] |url=http://djcoregon.com/news/2009/07/07/state-studying-wes-possibilities |access-date=2009-07-13 |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114183636/http://djcoregon.com/news/2009/07/07/state-studying-wes-possibilities/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==
=== Background ===
{{see also|Oregon Electric Railway|Southern Pacific Red Electric Lines}}
The route presently used by WES consists of two historically separate railroads. The segment between Greton (near [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]]) and [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]] was originally built by the [[Oregon Electric Railway]] in 1908; at Greton the line continued northeasterly to Portland, a route that was abandoned in the mid-1930s.  The Oregon Electric stopped running passenger trains in the late 1930s and soon after switched to diesel locomotives, continuing to run freight trains to Beaverton and Portland to the north, and to Salem, Albany and Eugene to the south.

The [[Tigard branch]] from Greton to [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]] was built by the [[Beaverton and Willsburg Railroad]], an affiliate of [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]], beginning in 1906, and opened to traffic in 1910.<ref name="ICC">{{Cite web |last=Interstate Commerce Commission |date=1934 |title=Interstate Commerce Commission Reports: Decisions of the Interstate Commerce Commission of the United States. Valuation reports |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YO1DAAAAIAAJ |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en | volume=45 | page=245}}</ref> This route connected with Southern Pacific's existing west-east [[West Side branch]] in Beaverton that provided service to Portland and Hillsboro, and a second route south of Tigard to Cook, which was a junction with the [[Newberg branch]] between Lake Oswego and McMinnville.  In 1914, the Southern Pacific electrified these lines as part of its [[Red Electric]] service in competition with the Oregon Electric Railway; by 1929 the Southern Pacific ended electric service, and passenger service was switched first to steam trains and [[Doodlebug (rail car)|doodlebugs]], and later buses.

Both the Southern Pacific and the Oregon Electric (and its successor [[Burlington Northern]]) continued to provide freight service on the line until the 1990s when both railroads leased its low-density branches to shortline operators. In this case, the Southern Pacific leased its lines to newly formed [[Portland & Western Railroad]] in August 1995; followed by the Burlington Northern leasing its lines to the Portland & Western in October 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.brian894x4.com/PortlandandWesternRR.html |title=PortlandandWesternRR |access-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317145036/http://www.brian894x4.com/PortlandandWesternRR.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This put the operations of two competing railroads in the same hands for the first time in history.

=== Planning and funding ===

Led by [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington County]], planning for WES began in 1996, when county officials started working with the cities of Beaverton, [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]], [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]], Wilsonville and [[Sherwood, Oregon|Sherwood]], as well as government transportation agencies to study the idea of establishing passenger rail service between Beaverton and Wilsonville on the existing Portland & Western line.<ref name="oreg96jul" /> [[TriMet]] took over as the project's lead planning agency in 2002.<ref>Gunderson, Laura (September 26, 2002). "TriMet takes over lead on commuter rail".  ''The Oregonian'', p. B3 (Portland)/B2 (Wash. County).</ref> After years of delays due to lack of funding, the project received approval from the [[Federal Transit Administration]] in May 2004,<ref>"Wilsonville–Beaverton commuter train OK'd" (May 11, 2004). ''The Oregonian'' (MetroWest edition), p. C1.</ref> resulting in the funding of approximately 50&nbsp;percent of the line's capital costs.

=== Construction, delays, and opening ===
Construction began October 23, 2006, in [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]], and a ceremonial "ground-breaking" was held two days later in [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2006 |title=TriMet Breaks Ground for Commuter Rail Line |url=http://www.apta.com/passenger_transport/thisweek/061106_3.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221007/http://www.apta.com/passenger_transport/thisweek/061106_3.cfm |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=September 27, 2008 |website=This Week in Passenger Transport |publisher=[[American Public Transportation Association]]}}</ref> although the project had already started and no dirt was moved.

During planning and construction, the project was called the [[Washington County, Oregon|Washington County]] Commuter Rail,<ref>[http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/community/CommuterRailProject.aspx Washington County Commuter Rail Project.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427063226/http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/community/CommuterRailProject.aspx |date=April 27, 2007 }} City of Beaverton. Retrieved July 1, 2008.</ref> or alternately the Wilsonville to Beaverton Commuter Rail<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2004 |title=Smith Announces FTA Approval of Wilsonville to Beaverton Commuter Rail |url=http://gsmith.senate.gov/press/2004/05-10-04.htm |access-date=September 27, 2008 |publisher=Senator [[Gordon Smith (politician)|Gordon Smith]] news release |archive-date=June 4, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604203715/http://gsmith.senate.gov/press/2004/05-10-04.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.co.washington.or.us/deptmts/lut/commrail/train.htm Land Use & Transportation: Wilsonville to Beaverton Commuter Rail.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220022229/http://www.co.washington.or.us/deptmts/lut/commrail/train.htm |date=February 20, 2002 }} Washington County. Retrieved July 1, 2008.</ref> since much of Wilsonville is in [[Clackamas County, Oregon|Clackamas County]]. TriMet held a naming contest to choose a name for the new line, and in November 2007 it announced WES (Westside Express Service) as the winner.<ref name="name">{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2007 |title=A New Name for Washington County Commuter Rail |url=http://www.tigard-or.gov/news/07-11-21_name_the_train.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907172000/http://www.tigard-or.gov/news/07-11-21_name_the_train.asp |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |publisher=City of Tigard}}</ref> By December of that year, construction on the rail line was 75&nbsp;percent complete and included five new bridges and two rehabilitated bridges, and improvements to {{convert|14|mi|km}} of track and [[Level crossing|14&nbsp;road crossings]]. A distinctive feature of the line is the [[gauntlet track]] sections installed at the three intermediate stations (Hall-Nimbus, Tigard and Tualatin).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornillie |first=Thomas C. |date=2013 |title=Diesel Multiple Units in North America – Trends in Construction, Maintenance, and Operating Practices |url=https://www.arema.org/files/library/2013_Conference_Proceedings/Diesel_Multiple_Units_in_North_America-Trends_in_Construction-Maintenance-Operating_Practices.pdf |access-date=June 12, 2019 |publisher=American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association |page=532 |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612034953/https://www.arema.org/files/library/2013_Conference_Proceedings/Diesel_Multiple_Units_in_North_America-Trends_in_Construction-Maintenance-Operating_Practices.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The feature allows freight trains to swing clear of the high-level platforms at the stops, so that wider cars do not strike them.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2016 |title=Central Connecticut Rail Study: Diesel Multiple Unit Alternative [section "Chapter 3.2: Infrastructure and Operational Considerations"] |url=https://www.dotdata.ct.gov/CCRS/docs/DMU%20-%20CCRS_Draft_Final_Report_2016-05-19.pdf |access-date=June 12, 2019 |publisher=[[Connecticut Department of Transportation]] |page=23 |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612203034/https://www.dotdata.ct.gov/CCRS/docs/DMU%20-%20CCRS_Draft_Final_Report_2016-05-19.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2008, the line was more than 90&nbsp;percent complete, with all the track in place.<ref name="cardebut" /> The four [[Colorado Railcar DMU|Colorado Railcar Diesel multiple unit]] (DMU) cars ordered for the line then arrived;<ref name="cardebut" /> a total of three powered DMU cars and one non-powered "trailer car" were tested on the route. A ceremonial inaugural run for dignitaries and journalists took place on January 22, and public preview rides on January 30, ahead of a February 2, 2009, public opening.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leah Weissman |date=February 5, 2009 |title=WES' first day&nbsp;— 'I plan on using it every day' |work=[[Beaverton Valley Times]] |url=http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=44156 |access-date=September 30, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006152907/http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=44156 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Originally scheduled to open in September 2008, opening was delayed several times and eventually to February 2009 due to technical and other difficulties,<ref name="djc200810">{{Cite news |last=Tyler Graf |date=October 9, 2008 |title=TriMet's WES is delayed |work=[[Daily Journal of Commerce]] |url=http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2008/10/09/TriMets-WES-is-delayed-Commuter-trains-signal-system-still-needs-to-be-tested-properly |url-status=dead |access-date=November 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119235324/http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2008/10/09/TriMets-WES-is-delayed-Commuter-trains-signal-system-still-needs-to-be-tested-properly |archive-date=November 19, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> most notably the failure of [[Colorado Railcar]] (CR).<ref>[http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/pf/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-1333&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20090103%2F1327033565.htm&sc=1333 Colorado Railcar Goes Out Of Business]</ref> TriMet lost $3&nbsp;million from the delays and from its financial support of CR, which included paying CR's suppliers and providing "rail engineering expertise and on-site technical assistance."<ref name="djc200810" /> They provided bailout funds to CR, paying rent, phone, and power bills, and ultimately taking control of the failing company long enough to take delivery of its vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Les Zaitz |date=December 14, 2008 |title=Westside Express Deal Cost TriMet Millions |work=The Oregonian |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/special/index.ssf/2008/12/trimet.html |access-date=December 15, 2008 |archive-date=December 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218223154/http://www.oregonlive.com/special/index.ssf/2008/12/trimet.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

A six-week naming contest was held for the new service with more than 1,700 entries submitted. The winning name, "WES" for "Westside Express Service", was revealed in a ceremony on November 19, 2007.<ref name="new-name">{{cite news |last=Maurer |first=Tom |title=Westside commuter rail line gets new name |date=November 19, 2007 |newspaper=The Oregonian |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/max_meet_wes.html |access-date=January 25, 2025}}</ref>

===Proposed extension to Salem===

In April 2010, the Rail Division of the [[Oregon Department of Transportation]] (ODOT) published a study for a potential southern extension of WES from Wilsonville to Salem. The study extended {{convert|29|mi|km}} and proposed stations in [[Woodburn, Oregon|Woodburn]], [[Keizer, Oregon|Keizer]], and either North Salem or Central Salem.<ref>{{cite report |author=[[Parsons Brinckerhoff]] Team |title=Oregon Rail Study Appendix I, Wilsonville to Salem Commuter Rail Assessment |date=April 2010 |publisher=[[Oregon Department of Transportation]] – Rail Division |url=https://portlandtribune.com/documents/artdocs/00003505497696.pdf |pages=4–5 |access-date=October 6, 2022 |via=Portland Tribune |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006162657/https://portlandtribune.com/documents/artdocs/00003505497696.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, there have been no plans to expand WES service, owing to low ridership,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Peter |date=February 23, 2017 |title=Three of four top priorities identified by TriMet GM affect Washington County |work=[[Beaverton Valley Times]] |url=http://pamplinmedia.com/bvt/15-news/346613-226351-three-of-four-top-priorities-identified-by-trimet-gm-affect-washington-county |url-status=live |access-date=2018-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613031758/http://pamplinmedia.com/bvt/15-news/346613-226351-three-of-four-top-priorities-identified-by-trimet-gm-affect-washington-county |archive-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> but lawmakers have attempted to revisit the plan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harden |first=Kevin L. |date=January 31, 2015 |title=Lawmakers (again) consider sending WES on a longer ride |language=en-gb |work=[[Portland Tribune]] |url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/248954-117539-lawmakers-again-consider-sending-wes-on-a-longer-ride |access-date=2018-05-03 |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414235847/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/248954-117539-lawmakers-again-consider-sending-wes-on-a-longer-ride |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2022, the city of Wilsonville revealed legislative concepts that included several service improvements to the WES commuter rail line including the Salem extension.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Kaelyn |title=Wilsonville backs four legislative concepts ahead of 2023 legislative session |date=October 5, 2022 |newspaper=Wilsonville Spokesman |url=https://pamplinmedia.com/wsp/134-news/559704-448048-wilsonville-backs-four-legislative-concepts-ahead-of-2023-legislative-session |access-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006213038/https://pamplinmedia.com/wsp/134-news/559704-448048-wilsonville-backs-four-legislative-concepts-ahead-of-2023-legislative-session |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2024, SB 1572 was released, which if passed would require ODOT and other Oregon rail transit agencies to study the possibility of a Salem extension.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon SB1572 {{!}} 2024 {{!}} Regular Session |url=https://legiscan.com/OR/supplement/SB1572/id/436878 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=LegiScan |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, House Bill 3453 was released. This new bill, if fully passed and made into law, would create a separate entity, the Westside Express Service Authority (WESA), that would take over WES commuter rail service from TriMet and allow for increased service along the current line. The bill would then allow for a possible Salem extension and even Eugene. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon Legislative Information System |url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Error |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=olis.oregonlegislature.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HB3452 |url=https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB3453}}</ref>

== Route ==
WES trains run every 30&nbsp;minutes between Wilsonville and Beaverton during morning and afternoon rush hours.<ref name="partnership">{{Cite web |date=May 2007 |title=Partnership brings Oregon's first commuter rail line closer to reality |url=http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/commuterrail/wccrhistory.pdf |access-date=August 17, 2008 |publisher=TriMet |archive-date=July 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705113324/http://trimet.org/pdfs/commuterrail/wccrhistory.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The scheduled one-way travel time is 27 minutes. For its first 3{{1/2}} years of service, the WES line was located entirely within TriMet fare zone 3, but travel on WES required a TriMet "All-Zone" (three-zone) fare, rather than a one-zone or two-zone fare. However, effective September 2012, TriMet discontinued all use of fare zones, and WES fares consequently became identical to the fares on any other TriMet rail or bus line.  [[C-TRAN (Washington)|C-Tran]] all-zone day and monthly passes are also accepted as valid fare on WES. P&W, which continues to run freight trains on the line, operates the commuter trains, and TriMet maintains them.<ref name="cars">{{Cite web |date=August 2008 |title=WES Commuter Rail Cars |url=http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/commuterrail/wesrailcars.pdf |access-date=September 14, 2008 |publisher=TriMet}}</ref>

===Stations===
[[File:TheTualatinInteractivator2.jpg|thumb|right|''The Tualatin Interactivator'']]

WES serves stations in Wilsonville, Tualatin, Tigard, and at two locations in Beaverton. At [[Beaverton Transit Center]]—the line's northern terminus—commuters are able to transfer between WES and either of two light rail lines of MAX Light Rail: the [[MAX Blue Line|Blue Line]], which serves the Hillsboro–Gresham corridor via downtown Portland, and the [[MAX Red Line|Red Line]], which connects to [[Portland International Airport]] via downtown Portland. Beaverton Transit Center also facilitates connections to 11&nbsp;TriMet bus lines.<ref name="P811" /> Hall/Nimbus Station, the second stop in Beaverton, is served by local TriMet bus lines 76 and 78 and has about 50&nbsp;[[park and ride|park-and-ride]] spaces.<ref name="cars" /> The station is within walking distance of [[Washington Square (Oregon)|Washington Square Mall]] and Nimbus Business Park.<ref name="cars" />

[[Tigard Transit Center Station]] was an existing TriMet transit center and is served by seven TriMet bus lines. Located in downtown Tigard, the station has about 100&nbsp;park-and-ride spaces.<ref name="cars" /> [[Tualatin Station]] is in downtown Tualatin, on [[Oregon Route 141|Boones Ferry Road]] near the intersection with Tualatin-Sherwood Road. The Tualatin station is served by TriMet bus lines 76 and 97 and includes 130&nbsp;park-and-ride spaces, plus another 24 spaces in a nearby lot connected to the station by line 76.<ref>[http://www.trimet.org/commuterrail/stations.htm WES Station Locations.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218152554/http://trimet.org/commuterrail/stations.htm |date=February 18, 2009 }} TriMet. Retrieved March 13, 2009.</ref>

The [[Wilsonville Transit Center]], at the southern end of the line, provides about 400&nbsp;park-and-ride spaces.<ref name="P811">{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=Making Tracks: P811 Construction Summary |url=http://www.beavertonoregon.gov/community/docs/CommuterRailProject.pdf |access-date=September 25, 2008 |publisher=Washington County Commuter Rail Project}}</ref> Wilsonville's [[South Metro Area Regional Transit]] (SMART) opened a new transit center, known as "SMART Central", at the station in January 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ridesmart.com/Index.aspx?page=72 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221130643/http://ridesmart.com/Index.aspx?page=72 |archive-date=2009-02-21| title=SMART History }}</ref> Wilsonville Station is connected via buses to residential and employment zones in the city.<ref name="P811" /> Wilsonville and [[Salem-Keizer Transit]] (Cherriots) currently provide express bus service between the two cities, linking to the rail line.<ref name="cardebut" /> The city of [[Canby, Oregon|Canby]] to the southeast also links to WES through SMART's service.<ref>[http://www.trimet.org/wes/schedulemap.htm WES Fares, Route/Station Map and Schedule.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705113228/http://trimet.org/wes/schedulemap.htm |date=July 5, 2008 }} TriMet. Retrieved August 18, 2008.</ref> Other neighboring communities are also expected to use the Wilsonville stop, including [[Lake Oswego]], [[Donald, Oregon|Donald]], [[Woodburn, Oregon|Woodburn]], and [[Aurora, Oregon|Aurora]].<ref name="commuters">{{Cite news |last=Tims, Dana |date=June 28, 2001 |title=Shaping Wilsonville's center |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref><ref name="closer">{{Cite news |last=Tims, Dana |date=August 2, 2001 |title=Commute rail line closer |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref>

Each WES station features its own interactive art-display, each dubbed ''"The (Station Name) Interactivator".'' The Interactivators were created by Frank Boyden and Brad Rude. The art consists of bronze and stainless steel sculptures that can be pushed around a track on a table, similar to how the WES train moves on its own track.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of WES Commuter Rail stations
|-
! scope="col" | Station<ref>{{Cite web |title=WES Commuter Rail |url=https://trimet.org/wes/index.htm |access-date=September 5, 2018 |publisher=TriMet |archive-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210194435/https://trimet.org/wes/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope="col" | Image
! scope="col" | Location
! scope="col" | TriMet bus connections
! scope="col" | Other connections and notes
|-
! scope="row" | [[Beaverton Transit Center]]
| [[File:WES platform at Beaverton TC, February 2018.JPG|160px|center|alt=]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Beaverton, Oregon|Beaverton]]
| Routes 20, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 76, 78, 88
| Connects with [[MAX Light Rail|MAX]] ([[MAX Blue Line|Blue]], [[MAX Red Line|Red]])
|-
! scope="row" | {{stn|Hall/Nimbus}}
| [[File:Hall Nimbus platform from Hall Boulevard, February 2018.JPG|160px|center|alt=]]
| Route 76
| Park and ride: 50 spaces
|-
! scope="row" | [[Tigard Transit Center]]
| [[File:Tigard Transit Center Station side.JPG|160px|center|alt=]]
| align=center | [[Tigard, Oregon|Tigard]]
| Routes 12, 43, 45, 76, 78, 94
| Connects with [[Yamhill County Transit Area|YCTA]]<br />Park and ride: 103 spaces
|-
! scope="row" | {{stn|Tualatin}}
| [[File:Tualatin station platform view, showing gauntlet track (2015).jpg|160px|center|alt=]]
| align=center | [[Tualatin, Oregon|Tualatin]]
| Routes 76, 97
| Connects with [[Tualatin Shuttle]]<br />Park and ride: 129 spaces
|-
! scope="row" | [[Wilsonville Transit Center|Wilsonville]]
| [[File:Wilsonville station and nearby WES maintenance building (2009).jpg|160px|center|alt=]]
| align=center | [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]]
| —
| Connects with [[South Metro Area Regional Transit|SMART]], [[Salem-Keizer Transit|Cherriots]]<br />Park and ride: 399 spaces
|}

== Operations ==
[[File:WES maint facility Wilsonville Oregon side.JPG|thumb|right|WES maintenance facility in Wilsonville]]

TriMet and P&W operate WES under a 50-year shared-use agreement. They entered into a 10-year [[operations and maintenance]] contract, which includes a trackage rights agreement, in 2007, with a renewal option every five years. TriMet owns the rail equipment, which it maintains with its employees, and contracts with P&W to operate the WES trains and maintain the tracks. P&W dispatches WES trains with priority over freight trains. TriMet also leases property near the Wilsonville terminus from P&W, where it built a dedicated maintenance facility for WES. The facility is staffed with TriMet mechanics who were trained to meet the [[Federal Railroad Administration]]-mandated qualified mechanical person certification.<ref>{{cite book |author=[[National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine]] |title=Contracting Commuter Rail Services, Volume 2: Commuter Rail System Profiles |location=[[Washington, D.C.]] |publisher=[[The National Academies Press]] |year=2018 |pages=79–82 |doi=10.17226/25256 |isbn=978-0-309-48435-0 |s2cid=189459970 |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25256/contracting-commuter-rail-services-volume-2-commuter-rail-system-profiles |access-date=October 8, 2022}}</ref>

=== Rolling stock ===
TriMet's fleet of commuter-rail cars consists of three powered cars and one [[Control car|"control trailer"]], a type of car which isn't powered but has an operating cab at one end and can control the powered car to which it is coupled. The trailer can be pulled or pushed. The self-propelled diesel cars do not require a locomotive or [[Overhead line|overhead electrical wires]].<ref name="P811" /> Each of the three powered rail cars seats 74&nbsp;passengers, while the [[Control car|control trailer]] seats 80. The cars are numbered 1001–1003 (powered) and 2001 (trailer) in TriMet's fleet of vehicles. Originally priced at $4&nbsp;million each prior to cost overruns, the cars are equipped with places for two mobility devices and two hanging bicycle racks, and have enough space for 139 [[standing passenger]]s.<ref name="training">{{Cite news |last=Foyston |first=John |date=August 21, 2008 |title=It's training day for TriMet |page=Metro West Neighbors, 10 |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref> In a two-car train, passengers can pass between the two connected cars.<ref name="dmu">{{Cite web |title=WES Commuter Rail cars |url=http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/commuterrail/DMU_Fact_Sheet.pdf |access-date=2008-10-13 |publisher=TriMet}}</ref> Interiors of both car types contain high-back seats with blue upholstery.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foyston |first=John |date=June 20, 2008 |title=Thumbs-up on new railcars |work=[[The Oregonian]]}}</ref>

Trains on WES were designed to travel at an average speed of {{convert|37|mi/h|km/h}} with a top speed of {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h}}.<ref name="partnership" /> Each self-propelled car has two [[Detroit Diesel]] Series 60 12.7L engines, each of which is rated at 600&nbsp;[[horsepower]].<ref name="cars" /> TriMet was required to purchase U.S.-manufactured trains due to federal funding of the commuter line, and purchased from [[Colorado Railcar]], which at the time was the sole U.S. maker of DMUs that complied with [[Federal Railroad Administration]] (FRA) rules.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Christensen |first=Nick |date=October 3, 2008 |title=Train problems delays launch of Westside Express |work=[[The Hillsboro Argus]] |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1223061612323630.xml&coll=6 |access-date=2008-10-09 |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004132156/http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F1223061612323630.xml&coll=6 |url-status=live }}</ref> The WES cars and the 35&nbsp;freight locomotives sharing the track with WES include cab signals as part of a system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions. [[Positive train control]] is being installed along the line.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fetsch |first=Mary |date=May 27, 2015 |title=TriMet adopts budget that expands service, improves system reliability and adds 77 new buses |publisher=TriMet |url=http://news.trimet.org/2015/05/trimet-adopts-budget-that-expands-service-improves-system-reliability-and-adds-77-new-buses/ |access-date=31 May 2015 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205629/http://news.trimet.org/2015/05/trimet-adopts-budget-that-expands-service-improves-system-reliability-and-adds-77-new-buses/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Cars on the line are serviced and maintained by TriMet at the maintenance facility at the southern end of the line in Wilsonville.<ref name="training" /> Adjacent to Wilsonville Station, the blue metal structure employs six mechanics.<ref name="training" /> The adjacent rail yard is used to store all WES trains when not in service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Construction Scope and Road Closures |url=http://www.trimet.org/commuterrail/construction.htm |access-date=2008-10-13 |publisher=TriMet |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915031953/http://trimet.org/commuterrail/construction.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> 

[[File:Interior of 2008 Colorado Railcar-built car 1002 on WES Commuter Rail (2009).jpg|thumb|left|Interior of a Colorado Railcar WES coach]]
One piece of equipment replaced only a month after WES began operations is its [[train horn]].<ref name="horn">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2009<!--(redated July 8 later)--> |title=TriMet takes another run at turning down the WES horn |work=[[Portland Tribune]] |url=http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=52265 |access-date=January 2, 2017 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102080307/http://portlandtribune.com/component/content/article?id=52265 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The FRA requires all trains operating on [[Commuter rail|heavy rail]] lines to sound their horns for at least 15 seconds at a minimum level of 96 [[decibel]]s (from {{Convert|100|ft|4=1}}) as they approach crossings. For the [[rush hour]]-only schedule used when WES began operation, that meant over a thousand blasts a week along its route, starting as early as 5:30&nbsp;am.<ref name="horn" /> Complaints about the noise caused TriMet to replace the original 102-decibel (from {{Convert|100|ft|4=1}}) [[Leslie Controls, Inc.|Leslie]] RS3K horns for a fleet-wide cost of $5,000.<ref name="horn" /> The new 96-decibel (from {{Convert|100|ft|4=1}}) K3LA horns, which met the minimum requirements, still led to complaints. TriMet asked the FRA for a waiver, proposing that they install yet another horn&nbsp;— similar to that used on [[MAX Light Rail]]&nbsp;— that would sound at 80 decibels and be accompanied by bells that would ring at 60 decibels continuously as the train neared a crossing.<ref name="horn" /> However, the FRA turned down this request, citing safety concerns.<ref name="fedsdeny">{{Cite news |last=Schmidt |first=Brad |date=April 7, 2010 |title=Feds cite safety as they deny quieter horns for WES |work=[[The Oregonian]] |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2010/04/feds_cite_safety_as_they_deny_quieter_horns_for_wes.html |url-status=live |access-date=2010-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315003236/https://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/2010/04/feds_cite_safety_as_they_deny_quieter_horns_for_wes.html |archive-date=March 15, 2020}}</ref> Instead, a quiet zone was set for all crossings within Tualatin city limits.

Equipment failures and periodic maintenance on the agency's Colorado Railcar DMUs resulted in TriMet substituting buses for some runs on several occasions since the service began. To provide backup equipment for the line, TriMet purchased two [[Budd Rail Diesel Car]]s (RDCs) from the [[Alaska Railroad]] in 2009.<ref>[https://www.railwayage.com/news/budd-rdcs-purchased-to-bolster-portlands-wes-service/ Budd RDCs purchased to bolster Portland’s WES service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105115452/https://www.railwayage.com/news/budd-rdcs-purchased-to-bolster-portlands-wes-service/ |date=November 5, 2019 }} ''[[Railway Age]] October 29, 2009</ref> The cars were originally built in 1953, and had been taken out of service in 2008. TriMet refurbished the cars, and planned to operate them as a backup for the Colorado Railcar units when they are out of service. They entered service on January 24, 2011.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 24, 2011 |title=Oregon commuters get first ride on historic RDCs |url=http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2011/01/oregon-commuters-get-first-ride-on-historic-rdcs |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831181903/http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2011/01/oregon-commuters-get-first-ride-on-historic-rdcs |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name="time travel" />
[[File:TriMet 2001 and 2011.jpg|thumb|Repainted [[Control car|cab car]] 2001 in March 2025.]]
In 2014, TriMet considered purchasing one two-car [[Nippon Sharyo DMU]] trainset to supplement the WES fleet, as an option under an existing contract between that manufacturer and [[Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2014 |title=WES Ridership and Fleet Requirements |url=http://www.trimet.org/pdfs/meetings/board/2014-4-9/wes-dmu-presentation-4-9-14.pdf |access-date=2014-10-01 |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001200442/http://trimet.org/pdfs/meetings/board/2014-4-9/wes-dmu-presentation-4-9-14.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> but could not reach an agreement with the manufacturer on the price.<ref name="oreg-2016may23">{{Cite news |last=Njus |first=Elliot |date=May 23, 2016 |title=TriMet wants to buy used trains from Dallas to bolster WES service |work=The Oregonian |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2016/05/trimet_wants_to_buy_used_train.html |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=July 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716175331/https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2016/05/trimet_wants_to_buy_used_train.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[US Railcar]], Colorado Railcar's successor, offered to sell TriMet two cars at $5&nbsp;million each.<ref name="oreg-2016may23" /> TriMet opted instead to purchase two more used Budd RDCs, for a total of not more than $1.5&nbsp;million, in 2017 from Allearth Rail of Vermont,<ref name="taut-2017oct">{{Cite magazine |date=October 2017 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |magazine=[[Tramways & Urban Transit]] |page=394 |issn=1460-8324}}</ref> which had last been operated by [[Dallas Area Rapid Transit]]'s [[Trinity Railway Express]] (TRE) commuter rail service.<ref name="oreg-2016may23" /> TriMet had unsuccessfully bid to purchase the same two cars in 2016, when they were auctioned by DART, but subsequently negotiated to purchase them from the winning bidder and new owner, Allearth Rail.<ref name="taut-2017oct" /><ref name="TM-resolution2017">{{Cite web |date=March 22, 2017 |title=TriMet Resolution 17-03-26 |url=https://trimet.org/meetings/board/pdfs/2017-03-22/res-17-03-26.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215225031/https://trimet.org/meetings/board/pdfs/2017-03-22/res-17-03-26.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |access-date=2018-05-03 |publisher=TriMet}}</ref> The two cars, ex-TRE 2007 and 2011, arrived at the WES maintenance facility in August 2017.<ref name="taut-2017oct" /> They were originally expected to enter service on the WES line in fall 2018, after the completion of a few modifications,<ref name="taut-2017oct" /> but this was subsequently delayed to sometime in 2021<ref>{{cite web| url=https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225160919/https://trimet.org/history/pdf/making-history.pdf |archive-date=2020-02-25| title=MAKING HISTORY - 50 Years of TriMet and Transit in the Portland Region}}</ref> and later indefinitely.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''WES rolling stock'''
|-
! Car number(s)
! Image
! Manufacturer
! Model
! Year built
! First used<br /> on WES
! Notes
|-
| 1001–1003
| rowspan="2" | [[File:WES train.JPG|160px|alt=A WES train parked next to the maintenance building. Each of WES's Colorado Railcar-built cars has one [[Streamliner|streamlined]] end (on the right in this view) and one non-streamlined end.]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Colorado Railcar]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Colorado Railcar DMU|Aero]]<ref name="time travel">{{Cite news |last=Craghead |first=Alexander |date=March 2011 |title=Time Travel in Oregon? TriMet Turns to the Venerable Budd RDC |work=[[Railfan & Railroad]] |url=http://railfan.com/extraboard/rf_extra_mar2011.php |url-status=dead |access-date=2021-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314105748/http://railfan.com/extraboard/rf_extra_mar2011.php |archive-date=March 14, 2016}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| [[Diesel multiple unit]]s (DMUs)
|-
| 2001
| Unpowered [[control car]]
|-
| 1702<ref name="time travel" />
| rowspan="2" | [[File:RDCs 1702+1711 on TriMet WES Commuter Rail, on Lombard Ave in Beaverton (2017).jpg|160px|TriMet's [[Budd Rail Diesel Car|RDC]] train 1702+1711 on Lombard Avenue in Beaverton in 2017]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Budd Company|Budd]]
| [[Budd Rail Diesel Car|RDC-3]]
| 1953<ref name="time travel" />
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| Ex-[[Alaska Railroad]] 702; originally [[New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad|New Haven]] 129<ref name="time travel" />
|-
| 1711<ref name="time travel" />
| [[Budd Rail Diesel Car|RDC-2]]
| 1952<ref name="time travel" />
| Ex-Alaska Railroad 711; originally New Haven 121<ref name="time travel" />
|-
|2007
| rowspan="2" | [[File:WES commuter rail TRE RDCs.jpg|160x160px]]
| rowspan="2" | RDC-1
|1957<ref name="taut-2017oct" />
|TBD
|Ex-[[Trinity Railway Express]] (Dallas) 2007;<ref name="taut-2017oct" /> ex-[[Via Rail]]
|-
|2011
|1957
|TBD
|Ex-Trinity Railway Express (Dallas) 2011;<ref name="taut-2017oct" /> ex-Via Rail
|}

=== Costs ===
According to TriMet's 2016 Ridership Report, WES Commuter Rail cost of $16.32 for each rider; compared to $4.21 for a bus rider or $3.23 for a MAX light rail rider.<ref name="TriMet FY 2016 Ridership Report" /> Amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], ridership has further decreased and the WES operations cost per boarding ride is $108.09 as of December 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iboshi |first=Kyle |date=February 1, 2021 |title=WES commuter rail costs TriMet $108 per passenger |work=KGW8 |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/wes-commuter-rail-is-costing-trimet-108-per-passenger/283-80e62cae-2082-494f-816e-9940270d1fdc |access-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304064139/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/wes-commuter-rail-is-costing-trimet-108-per-passenger/283-80e62cae-2082-494f-816e-9940270d1fdc |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2020/Dec20%20MPR.pdf |title=December 2020 Monthly Performance Report |date=January 20, 2021 |publisher=TriMet |page=3 |access-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202072126/https://trimet.org/about/pdf/2020/Dec20%20MPR.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Service ==

===Ridership===

WES was expected to carry as many as 4,000 riders by 2020.<ref name="new-name"/> A study published by the FTA in 2013 noted an increase in daily ridership on WES during the first few years of operation—from 1,200 rides in the first year to 1,700 rides in 2012—despite reductions in TriMet services that led to no growth systemwide. Three-fourths of riders traveled between home and work, and approximately 45&nbsp;percent of riders reported lacking a car.<ref>{{cite report |author=United States. Federal Transit Administration |title=Westside Express Service Rail Project Before-and-After Study (2013) |publisher=Federal Transit Administration |year=2013 |pages=18–19 |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2013-Oregon-Washington-Portland-Westside-Express-Service.pdf |access-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325020616/https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2013-Oregon-Washington-Portland-Westside-Express-Service.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Div flex row| align-items=center}}
{| class=wikitable
!Year !! Average<br />weekday<br />ridership
|-
| 2009 || 1,175
|-
| 2010 || 1,200
|-
| 2011 || 1,449
|-
| 2012 || 1,639
|-
| 2013 || 1,739
|-
| 2014 || 2,008
|-
| 2015 || 1,869
|-
| 2016 || 1,779
|-
| 2017 || 1,759<ref name="TriMet FY 2016 Ridership Report">{{Citation |title=TriMet FY 2016 Ridership Report |date=September 26, 2016 |url=http://trimet.org/about/pdf/trimetridership.pdf |publisher=Tri Met |access-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-date=April 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417235947/http://trimet.org/about/pdf/trimetridership.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 2018 || 1,632
|-
| 2019 || 1,485
|-
| 2020 || 1,065
|-
| 2021 || 330
|-
| 2022 || 406
|-
| 2023 || 466
|}
{{Graph:Chart
 |width=350
 |height=200
 |colors=#084c8d
 |type=rect
 |showValues=format:.3s
 |xAxisAngle=-40
 |xAxisTitle=Year
 |yAxisTitle=Ridership
 |yType=integer
 |yAxisFormat=s 
 | x=2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
 | y=1175, 1200, 1449, 1639, 1739, 2008, 1869, 1779, 1759, 1632, 1485, 1065, 330, 406, 466
}}{{Div flex row end}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Railways}}
* [[Transportation in Portland, Oregon]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Attached KML |display=title,inline}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.trimet.org/wes/index.htm TriMet: WES Commuter Rail]

{{Portland Transit}}
{{USCommRail}}
{{Oregon railroads}}

[[Category:WES Commuter Rail| ]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Passenger rail transportation in Oregon]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 2009]]
[[Category:Tigard, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Beaverton, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Washington County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Transportation in Wilsonville, Oregon]]
[[Category:Tualatin, Oregon]]
[[Category:Commuter rail in the United States]]