Because WES is a heavy rail operation, it is subject to Federal Railroad Administration regulations, including those relating to grade crossings. WES trains must sound their horns at all grade crossings, the same as any other passenger or freight train. MAX trains are not bound by these regulations.

The other rail line through central Beaverton, the one that runs alongside Tualatin Valley Highway, is the Portland & Western, ex-SP Tillamook Branch line. This line is freight only west of the Lombard Street/Farmington Road grade crossing, where the two main tracks split. The P&W track continues west, while the WES track turns north and runs up Lombard Street to the Beaverton Transit Center.

The P&W line south of Beaverton to Tigard is now used by both WES and P&W trains. Just south of the Tigard Transit Center stop, WES trains cross over to follow the former Burlington Northern line through Tualatin to Wilsonville. This line was once the Oregon Electric interurban.