RT Investigating Runaway Light-Rail Train Incident

SACRAMETNO (CBS13) - Sacramento Regional Transit District is investigating an incident of a runaway light-rail train earlier this month.

According to a statement from RT, the incident happened on February 17 just before 5 p.m. at the maintenance yard in north Sacramento. That's where a technician was working on a train that had been taken out of service because of an electrical issue. While troubleshooting the problem, the technician mistakenly bypassed a safety feature and sent the train moving.

The train reached speeds of 43 miles an hour and eventually switched to the main line and passed through a light rail station before some of the wheels derailed. It hit the edge of the Swanston station platform, and re-railed.

After 1.5 miles, the mechanism that receives power for the train was damaged, and damaged the overhead wires, causing the train to stop.

Fortunately, the crossing arms, bells and flashing lights were working properly and no damaged was caused to non-RT property.

"Safety is absolutely the number one concern," Mike Wiley, General Manager/CEO, stated. "This is a serious incident, and we are grateful that this incident was contained to RT property damage."

RT is conducting a full investigation into the incident. The technician who was working on the train at the time, has been with the district for 23 years, including 12 years of experience as a technician.