BROOKS, Ore. — The Oregon Electric Railway Museum has added one of the first MAX light rail vehicles to its collection, a donation from Portland-area transit agency TriMet.
MAX LRV No. 101 was part of the original set of equipment used to launch TriMet’s light rail service on Sept. 5, 1986, reviving a form of transportation that had ended almost 30 years earlier. Portland’s last streetcar ran in 1950; its electric interurban service was discontinued in 1958. The trainset was delivered to the museum near Salem, Ore., this week. It joins a collection that includes trolleys from as far away as Europe, Asia, and Australia.
“Preserving LRV No. 101 is a profound honor for us and a major milestone for the museum,” Mark Kavanagh, community engagement manager for the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society, said in a press release. “This isn’t just a machine; it’s a piece of living history that millions of Oregonians have seen, ridden, and relied on. We are immensely grateful to our partners at TriMet for entrusting us with its care so that we can share its story for generations to come.”
The new acquisition will make its display debut during the Great Oregon Steam-Up, set for July 26-27 and Aug. 2-3 at Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Road NE in Brooks. While the MAX car will be on static display, rides will be offered on other Tickets and more information are available at this website. For more on the Orego Electric Railway Historical Society, which also operates the Williamette Shore Trolley in Lake Oswego, Ore., visit the society’s website.
An appropriate last stop for a Bombardier (now Alstom) made rail veteran… The Oregon Electric Railway Museum is a must see! Such an amazing place place full of beauty, power and history.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün