EVERETT, Wash. (AP) — A BNSF Railway spokesman says a Wednesday evening mudslide from a slope adjacent to the main rail line between Seattle and Everett has halted passenger train traffic in the corridor until Friday evening.
Gus Melonas says a Sounder commuter train was in the area when the slide hit and some debris ended up against the train's wheels. He says the train was not damaged, was inspected and has moved through the area.
Rail crews responded to remove the debris. Melonas says freight train disruption was expected to be minimal.
The slide struck a half mile south of the Everett train depot and measured 10 feet wide by 30 feet long and 4 feet deep. The area has been hit by heavy rain in recent days.
A 48-hour safety moratorium for passenger trains will last until Friday evening. During such moratoriums, rail passengers are bused between Seattle and Everett.
From Sound Transit: