SEATTLE — Testing is increasing on Sound Transit’s East Link light rail extension, with recent nighttime operations including trains operating at up to 35 mph between the Bellevue Downtown, Wilburton, and Spring District/120th stations as part of preparations to open the new trackage.
A Sound Transit video of testing is below.
Testing has focused on the trains’ power systems, with crews checking for arcing between the catenary and the trains’ pantographs. Live wire testing will continue later this month at the Redmond Technology Station; once that is complete, signal testing will begin.
The East Link extension is slated to open in 2023, adding 14 miles and 10 stations to the existing Link light rail system. More information on the project is available here.
Attention to details pays off. Nice to see some of it being done. Now lets hope the wheels stay in gauge unlike Washington D.C.