Known for their bright red color, the Red Electrics began service from Portland on January 17, 1914. Originally called the Portland Eugene and Eastern Railroad, the name was changed to Southern Pacific on July 1, 1915.

Southern Pacific’s Red Electrics, with their distinctive round windows, served communities surrounding Portland with two main lines making the Yamhill or McMinnville Loop south and west from Portland’s Union Station. The line went south from Union Station on Fourth Street to Jefferson Street where it split into two lines.

The West Side Local continued through Portland’s West Hills along present-day Barbur Boulevard through Burlingame to Bertha (now Hillsdale) to Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove, then south to McMinnville. The East Side Local followed the Willamette River to Oswego, then west to Tualatin, Sherwood, Newberg and McMinnville.

Both lines met at St. Joseph, just north of McMinnville. On June 17, 1917, service was added for a three hour and fifteen minute ride to Corvallis on a total of 180 electrified miles. By 1920, 64 Red Electric trains operated daily.

Built in 1913 by Pullman, this Southern Pacific West Side Local Train 103 is shown at Union Station in Portland. Pictured here is (left to right): Ike Smith, Conductor; L. Hammer; J. Pitman and B. Tibets.

Red Electric at the McMinnville Depot circa 1915

West Side Local Train 107 stopped at the 4th Street Station in 1920

East Side Local Train 359 near Fulton in 1922

East Side Local Train 358 at Corvallis in 1925

Red Electric Schedule from March 3, 1926

SP was the only major steam passenger railroad company to convert some of its lines to electricity. The main line to California was not electrified and it continued as a steam line till the 1950’s when diesel trains took over the service. Union Pacific still uses the line today for freight service.

The Red Electrics were the finest passenger cars in the Pacific Northwest and their service was second to none. The interiors were trimmed in Mahogany and the beautiful plush green upholstered seats made the ride fairly comfortable.

The distinctive round windows were actually developed by Southern Pacific as a safety feature. In case of a crash, this design gave more protection for a motorman.

Though they only lasted 15 years, the Red Electrics provided modern, fast, quiet and efficient passenger service for the citizens of the Willamette Valley.

Last updated 06-25-06

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