A light rail train derailment overnight disrupted Sound Transit service in Seattle, leading to temporary suspensions on portions of the 1 Line and 2 Line while crews worked to restore normal operations.
According to Sound Transit, the derailment occurred at low speed with no passengers onboard and no injuries reported. Officials described it as only the second known derailment during Sound Transit light rail passenger service.
Derailment
The incident involved an out-of-service train that derailed near International District/Chinatown Station.
A photo shared by a Reddit user appeared to show a train off the tracks, with the user stating that an out-of-service train had left the rails.
Transit crews responded overnight to assess the situation and begin repairs.
Service
The derailment temporarily suspended service on the following sections:
| Light Rail Line | Service Suspension |
|---|---|
| 1 Line | Capitol Hill Station to SODO Station |
| 2 Line | Capitol Hill Station to Judkins Park Station |
Passengers traveling through the affected areas were directed to alternate transportation.
Alternate Routes
To accommodate riders, King County Metro operated shuttle buses between stations.
Passengers traveling south were transported from Capitol Hill Station to SODO Station, while those heading east used shuttle buses connecting Capitol Hill Station and Judkins Park Station.
Some riders experienced confusion during the service disruption.
According to reports, one passenger became upset after boarding the wrong shuttle bus while attempting to travel to the University District.
Response
Crews were observed Sunday morning working near International District/Chinatown Station, including tasks involving the overhead power lines above the southbound tracks.
The station gates remained closed while repair work continued.
Sound Transit had not reported any injuries related to the derailment.
History
The incident marks only the second known derailment during Sound Transit light rail passenger operations.
The previous derailment occurred in November 2009 when a train operator entered a track section near the SODO maintenance yard before switches were properly aligned.
That incident caused equipment damage and approximately 50 minutes of service delays.
| Year | Details |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Low-speed derailment near SODO maintenance yard |
| 2026 | Out-of-service train derailed near International District/Chinatown Station |
Riders
Despite the disruption, some passengers expressed appreciation for the transit agency’s efforts to provide alternate transportation.
Commuter Laura Bell-Allred, who was returning home after an overnight shift at UW Medical Center, described making multiple transfers using trains and shuttle buses to complete her trip.
She said:
“They always make sure they have a plan. I think they’re doing the best they can.”
Sound Transit continues working to restore full service following the derailment. While the disruption affected travel on portions of the 1 Line and 2 Line, transit officials deployed shuttle buses to help passengers reach their destinations as repair crews addressed the incident.
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