Budd RDCs purchased to bolster Portland’s WES service

Portland, Ore.’s fledgling commuter rail line, Westside Express Service (WES), struggling with operational issues plaguing its three Colorado Railcar diesel multiple-unit (DMU) cars, will add two vintage Budd Co. rail diesel cars (RDCs) purchased from the Alaska Railroad for $150,000. The Budd cars were built in 1953.

WES, operated by TriMet, has repeatedly been forced to provide substitute bus service for customers due to recurrent mechanical troubles. The cars, to first be refurbished, would be put into service next summer as backups to the current DMU fleet.

TriMet spokeswoman Bekki Witt said the Budd cars had been used for passenger service until last March.