Shape of the Future...Several of TriMet's brand new Siemens S70 "Avanto" light rail cars are parked at the south end of the Ruby Junction yard in Gresham, Ore.
These cars, numbered in the 400 series, were part of an order of 22 that expanded the TriMet MAX fleet for the opening of the Green Line in September 2009.
The speed limit sign on the right is along the test track that borders the east side of the yard. TriMet did "burn-in" testing of the new cars before they entered service. The first ones began regular service in August 2009.
A unique feature of these cars, although they are double-ended, is that only the "A" end has an operator's cab. The area at the "B" end that would have had the other cab is passenger seating. They operate as married pairs and do not run in mixed sets with TriMet's earlier light rail cars.
Photographed by Thomas McCann, October 19, 2008.
Added to the photo archive by Thomas McCann, October 19, 2008.
» Contact the person who posted this photograph.