1995-01 MAX Cabride between Main St in Gresham to 197th Ruby Jct in the snow

This video was a one off but today shows quite a bit of history relatively few decided to capture. Only 9 years after Light Rail began operation in Gresham, I took the video camera out for a spin on MAX just after it snowed.

The video begins with two quick views looking west then looking east at the Gresham City hall station.

Next the fun begins as I have the camera pointing through the open operators window looking forward. Our two car type one train has just crossed Main Street in Gresham passing over the now removed switch between there and Division Street. The line between Ruby Junction and Cleveland used to have two sections of single track, between Birdsdale Avenue and about where Civic Drive is today, then from Main Avenue to Cleveland Avenue.

As the train continues westbound passing Division and then Eastman Avenue, there is a lot to take-in in the next few minutes. First off, just as you arrive into City Hall station off to the left you can see the old (Unknown named) lumber mills crane and sawdust hopper (in the distance behind the station shelter) that used to be where the Gresham Station Shopping Center is off Division Street.

Next is the old blue wheelchair lift under the western most shelter on the platform we are arriving at.

Just a few seconds later the old door closing chimes sound as the newer voice prompt system hadn't yet been installed. This was also back in the day where the operators had to manually announce each station over the PA in the train.

Just as we depart another one of the Northwest's brain trusts exits the right of way in which he is trespassing on.

Off to the left, again is an old swampy marsh of trees and water pools now occupied by the Gresham Station Shopping Center.

We then pass the other automatic switch near where Civic Drive is today and continue westbound on single track into the cut. I really liked this stretch of track before the new Civic Drive station and mall was added, it seemed like the train was not in a city anymore.

We then pass under the Wallula Avenue bridge which at the time was supported by wooden piles.

Next we split the pair of signals in the cut and begin to slow down, pass over a small bridge and cross Birdsdale Avenue and pass the lead and throat tracks of Ruby Junction. Again, the tracks just prior and after Birdsdale have gone significant relocating and straightening as a result of complete dual trackage from Ruby to the end of the line in Gresham.

As we enter 197th Ruby Junction station, the operator verifies that no one has pulled the now removed stop signal cord (an annunciator light would display on the operators console indicating that a passenger requested a stop along Burnside), scans the station for passengers which there are none, and continues past the station without stopping, a practice that is not carried out today as all stops are made along Burnside whether or not there are passengers to board or detrain. At the very last second of the video, you can hear the bell ding and electronic beep from someone pulling the cord in the train...again, something you dont see or hear today.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• TRI-MET
• MAX
• Light
• Rail
• Gresham
• City
• Hall
• Switch
• Main
• Single
• Track
• Lumber
• Mill
• Transit
• Train
• Snow

[signalman3491]

I remember that storm. Hearing Mike Decrisio on the radio brings back memories too. RIP mike, you were one of the good guys!

[PortlandsTransport]

Very interesting.