About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. Its a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
This cache also qualifies for the Disappearing RR Blues bonus cache. This series highlights railways of NW Oregon
About WES Tualatin Station
Welcome to Oregon's first modern day commuter rail line, dubbed WES for Westside Express Service. The cache here is located by the Tualatin Station for WES. The line starts operation on Feb. 2, 2008. Self propelled Diesel railcars will whisk passengers north to Beaverton for transfers to MAX Light Rail or south to Wilsonville
Tualatin did have electrified train service from the early 1900's until 1933. The station was most likely very close to this spot. This was part of the old Oregon Electric. One could board and electric train to head north to Portland or south to Salem and Eugene. Highway 99 which basically became the modern I-5 killed this train.
WES trains will run on a good portion of the old Oregon Electric, but now operated by the Portland and Western RR. WES shares the line with freight trains, which is why this is different then MAX trains. An interesting feature at this station is the use of gauntlet tracks at the station. That is to ensure a minimal gap between the WES train and the high level platform but allow freight trains to clear the platform. WES trains will use the track that turn out towards the platform. This allows shared use of the line.
Trains run ~ every 30 minutes during morning and evening rush hour. There is free Wi-Fi on board for the modern laptop toting commuters. Maybe someday the train will be extended southward to Keizer and Salem!
NOTE: Do not park at the cache to ride the train, this is NOT commuter parking, commuter parking is nearby and marked.