Portland Streetcar: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Portland Streetcar is a tram system in Portland, Oregon.

It is one of two light rail systems in Portland. The larger MAX network serves the overall region. By contrast, the Portland Streetcar is a smaller and more localized transportation system.

There is currently only one line, a loop, which opened on July 20, 2001. It runs from Portland State University (PSU), north through the Pearl District, then west to Northwest 23rd Street. Trains run counter-clockwise around the loop at 15 minute intervals (less frequently on nights and weekends).

As of 2004, the southern end of the line is being extended from PSU to RiverPlace, a distance of 0.6 mile. This extension is one phase of an ongoing plan to serve Portland's South Waterfront development area. Service to RiverPlace is expected to begin in 2005.

The streetcar vehicles are a Czech design, built by Skoda-Inekon in Plzen. They are shorter and narrower than MAX cars because they have to run in neighborhood streets, alongside parked automobiles. The streetcar runs in mixed traffic, while the MAX tracks run in a reserved lane. The streetcars operate as single cars.

Streetcar tracks are similar to MAX tracks. In fact, they are the same gauge, but streetcar tracks are of a lighter construction. Because of this, a streetcar could run on MAX tracks (for example, if it had to go to another location for maintenance); but a MAX train would be too heavy and too wide to operate on the streetcar's tracks. The free Vintage Trolley tourist trains run on both Streetcar and MAX tracks on weekends.