Southern Pacific Red Electric Lines

"Red Electric" redirects here. For the band, see Red Electric (band).
Southern Pacific Red Electric Lines
A Red Electric train at Southern Pacific Depot in Beaverton
Overview
Service typeInterurban passenger
LocaleOregon
First serviceJanuary 17, 1914
Last serviceOctober 5, 1929
Former operator(s)Southern Pacific Company; operated as Portland, Eugene and Eastern Railway 1914–15 only[1]
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 1,500 V DC
Track owner(s)Southern Pacific Company

The Southern Pacific Red Electric Lines, also known simply as the Red Electric, was a network of interurban passenger train services operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad in the Willamette Valley of the U.S. state of Oregon from 1914 to 1929.[2] The service got its name from the bright red color of its cars.[3][4][note 1] Despite its short history, among West Coast interurbans it was unique, and it was considered the finest such system in the Pacific Northwest.[3] It was the only major electric interurban railroad converted from steam to electric passenger use.[3] It was also one of few systems using all-steel equipment, and one of the largest 1500-volt systems in the country.[3]

  1. ^ Thompson 2008, p. 59
  2. ^ Thompson 2008
  3. ^ a b c d Dill & Grande 1994[page needed]
  4. ^ Engeman 2009, p. 284


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