There are no bucking broncos or charging bulls in the International Rail Rodeo; in fact, there’s probably no safer, politer rodeo anywhere. But whoever wins at Coney Island, New York on June 10 will be considered the best rail transit operator in the nation.

Two Tri-Met MAX light rail operators will be competing in this year’s event, which takes place yearly prior to conventions of the American Public Transportation Association.

David Bennett and David White will compete as a team representing Tri-Met — one of about 20 transit districts taking part. Both men are members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757.

More than 40 Tri-Met light rail operators competed this year — taking a written test and then operating under the watchful eyes of Tri-Met training supervisor Ron Callahan. Callahan, who won the event in Atlanta in 1996, now serves as judge of the local competition and coach to those who go to the national event. Out of the 40 Tri-Met contestants, Callahan picked eight finalists, who squared off May 7 in the Ruby Junction rail yard in Gresham.

“There’s not a lot of playing around,” said Tri-Met light rail manager Terry Dolan. “We’re not popping wheelies or doing slaloms.”

Instead, operators vied to see how smoothly and safely they can move the trains. That started with a ground inspection: Callahan had booby-trapped each train with more than 40 things that operators should notice and report before starting up. Also tested were customer service, professional appearance and operating protocols. Did they see and stop before hitting the handkerchief on the rails? Did they respond correctly to the “passenger” who boarded with a suspicious-looking object that was meant to resemble an anthrax attack?

Tri-Met values the rodeo, Dolan said, because it motivates operators to get re-acquainted with the rules of operation.

Bennett and White scored highest and won the all-expense-paid trip to the rail rodeo. They fly to New York June 7 and have three days to study the rules and equipment of the host — New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). On June 10, they’ll compete using New York subway cars in a rail yard on Coney Island.

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