Siemens SD660

The Siemens SD660, originally called the SD600, is a double-articulated light rail vehicle that is 70 percent low-floor, made by Siemens Transportation Systems. It was the first low-floor light rail vehicle used in the United States and first entered service in 1997 with its only operator, TriMet, on the MAX light rail system in Portland, Oregon. TriMet placed its first order in May 1993 for 39 cars, the first low-floor order in North America, later raised to 52, and received the first car in July 1996 and the 52nd in April 2000. It then bought 27 more, built from 2003 to 2005 and known as Type 3, so 79 cars in all. Siemens changed the designation from SD600 to SD660 in 1998, reflecting AC motors on 60 Hz rather than DC ones. The cars are bi-directional, with an operating cab at each end, and have bridgeplate wheelchair ramps.