New downtown streetcar makes surprise First Hill run
May 20, 2015, 8:45 AM | Updated: 1:37 pm
Seattle's street car tested its speed on the new downtown rail line to Capitol Hill May 18. (SDOT)
(SDOT)
Not too many people heard the train a comin’ as it was rolling around the Jackson Street bend. But that was because it hadn’t seen the sunshine while testing its speed.
Seattle’s streetcar tested its wheels on the newest downtown rails through First Hill, leading to Capitol Hill early Tuesday morning under the glow of street lights as much of Seattle slept.
The streetcar embarked from the maintenance yard on 8th Street then hopped on the mainline at Jackson Street. It ran low-speed trials to the end of the line on Capitol Hill, traveling through the International District, First Hill, and Yesler Terrace. It then kicked into reverse and made the same trip back to the yard.
Watch video of the tests here.
The First Hill line is slated to begin service in 2015. It will operate from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday. It will be in service 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. A total of six streetcars will operate the First Hill line, making 10 stops.
