On my Sunday outing I've made a ton of observations and had a few conversations of interest too.

As I was strolling through the construction areas in Beaverton for the new commuter rail I started wondering how the vehicles for this line, and especially the Green Line, where going to be brought into town.

All of the vehicles exceed the tonnage allowed on regular 19-wheelers over regular highway and Interstate travel.  At least I'm assuming since I believe both type of vehicles are above 80,000 lbs.  I suppose if they leave them somewhat dissassembled; without bogies, leave the seating out, and other things that could be assembled on location that might shave off a few of those tonnage points.  If I'm wrong about this someone please correct me out there in the blogosphere.

However, aside from the weight restrictions on the Interstate, I know for a fact that should and would be the most expensive method of shipping these vehicles.  If anything they should be shipped, or even driven, across our rail infrastructure.  It is an ideal method of logistics for this particular need.  The reason however I'm hesitant to believe that Metro, City of Portland, or TriMet would make such an intelligent decision is because of the shipping methodology that I've seen them use with the Portland Streetcars.  They shipped those all the way from the east coast via truck on the ole' Interstate.  Another umpteen tons of carbon pollution, I'm sure multiple extra thousands spent, and overall just a "not so smart" way of getting them to this part of the country.

This point of curiosity came up again when I was standing at the suburban light rail stop waiting for the next west bound Blue Line and a young female approached me to ask what I was taking pictures of.  Since she appeared to only have curiosity and no negative intentions I decided a thorough answer was deserved.  I told her what I was taking pictures of, why, and we both started discussing how they intended to get the vehicles into town.  She mentioned she had read something about the commuter rail vehicles being trucked in.  I immediately thought, "oh dear, for the sake of sanity I hope not".  So thus, my continued worry that we're using abysmally inefficient ways to get things into town continues.

As I write this I hear the announcement for my stop coming up.  I have a few specific shots to take.  I immediately begin "sleep mode" shut down and get off the MAX.  Here I whip the laptop back out since the stop seemed rather peaceful and some shade was available so I could see the screen.  So at Washington South East 12th Avenue near Hillsboro City Center I finish these last lines.  Next I'm off for a trek to grab photos of one of the rather "artsy" bridges TriMet built for the MAX line.

If you have any input on the shipping and logistics of these vehicles, please chime in.