Window washers' rope snares MAX train, shuts down lines
PORTLAND, Ore. - An unusual accident with a MAX train caused delays Wednesday with the Red and Blue Line.
TriMet said it appears window washers dropped a rope from a platform in the Old Town section of downtown and it became entangled with the electrical contact arm on top of a train and "destroyed" the apparatus, which is known as a pantograph.
TriMet said in a tweet that "Blue and Red line trains are not operating between Rose Quarter and JELD-Wen Field stations due to a mechanical problem."
They also said shuttle buses would take passengers to their destinations and the delay could last "3 to 4 hours" while crews make repairs.
The incident took place at about 10:15 a.m.
Westbound service on the Red and Blue lines was restored at around 12 p.m., TriMet spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said. Eastbound lines were still being repaired.
Not everyone "tweets" so stop assuming such a thing, TriMet. A little bird told me that.
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Terrible day to play Tarzan. I feel sorry for the rope.Â
Tri-Met: "We're here to get you there!"
-- "Oops! Except for now, we have a train out of commission."
-- "Oops, Bus ran over someone."
-- "Oops! Train hit a truck!"
-- "Oops! Driver kicked someone off for crying!"
...
Another reason to NOT like lite rail.
 @bOB What's wrong with Light Rail? When it works, it's great.
They just need to put cow catchers on the front so the trains can keep on truckin'!
What kind of bait did he use on the end of the rope?
 @jpk A spare OPDX protester.
Do not lasso the max like its a rodeo please!
Yippie I A MFer!!
For me, bicycle + line 58 = NO MAX!
"There was immediate word from TriMet on when service would return to normal"  .... but you're not going to tell us what it is? Heh!