Light rail on the Yamhelas line; an outdated and impossible fantasy

By STEVE WICK Oct 21, 2026

The opponents of Measure 36-241 have repeatedly said that we must remove the Yamhelas Trail right-of- way from the Transportation System Plan, because the real intended use is as an expensive boondoggle; Light Rail, which could cost the citizens of Yamhill County millions of dollars.

Yup, that was a plan many years ago, but it is no longer physically feasible, or economically viable. Why?

First,  there is no way light rail (Tri-Met/ Metro) could come into Yamhill County.

Without a citizen mandate, and then a vote from the Yamhill County populace, TriMet/Metro/light rail would not be allowed in our County. Period.

Next, there is NO way that they could get light rail to the Yamhelas Trail! Currently light rail ends in Hillsboro. The original plan was to extend it to Forest Grove, a very simple 6 mile extension on an abandoned rail right-of-way.

But that has been canceled, and that ROW has now become the new Council Creek Trail.....why?...there is simply no money, or desire to build more 1800 technology when future transportation needs can be met with cheaper options.

Tri Met (Metro) is out of money! They are cutting bus and light rail right now. They are even cutting the Max light rail line that runs from Clackamas Town Center to Portland.  There is no one riding their system, so they are cutting service to outlying areas.  

Another physical roadblock is the ROW between Forest Gove and Gaston.  It is being used!  It was never abandoned. It is being actively used by the Stimpson lumber mill at Hagg Lake. Stimpson is putting millions of dollars into updating that mill, and they have no plans to give up shipping their product out on that rail line.

So...there is no light rail path between Hillsboro and Forest Grove, or between Forest Grove and Gaston.

 .....and; there is not enough people to support light rail! 

Forest Grove has a population of around 45,000. 

The population of Gaston is 676, Yamhill is 1215, Carlton is 2200, and Mac is around 35,000. If there is simply not enough people to even justify extending light rail to Forest Grove, how could they build light rail to Gaston, and beyond to Mac?

So Light Rail on the Yamhelas Trail is a pipe dream....,and a Red Herrimg..it's not physically feasible, or economically viable.

Don't drink the cool aid!