MAX Blue Line rail grinding on west side extended

Rail grinding along the westside MAX Blue Line between the Hatfield Government Center in Hillsboro and the Robertson Tunnel near the Oregon Zoo will continue longer than planned because of rain delays.
The work began Sept. 2 and was expected to be done by this coming Friday, but now will last through Friday, Sept. 20, TriMet announced Monday.
The grinding happens at night between about 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. when train traffic is light. In fact, trains in both directions will use only one track. (TriMet says supervisors are on hand to monitor safe train flow and operators will make announcements at each stop.)


Residents along the tracks may hear the work.

The grinding -- done with a machine that looks like a small freight train -- smooths bumps on tracks caused by wear and tear. It also restores the curve on the top of the rail. The result will be a better ride and lower maintenance costs down the road, TriMet says.

-- The Oregonian

TriMet rail grinding delays http://t.co/3n6IKaVNnh Video of grinder http://t.co/wkpDxyPbJ3 How trains use 1 track http://t.co/UDIESPYFFs

— MAX FAQs (@maxfaqs) September 10, 2013