Some Sounder trains are breaking down, stranding riders

It’s been a rough few weeks for Sounder riders coming into Seattle from Pierce County. They have been stranded several times because of mechanical problems with the trains.

The trains have simply come to a stop in the middle of their runs, leaving passengers sitting on the tracks as engineers work to get them back up and running.

It’s happened at least three times this spring, most recently last week. The majority of the issues have occurred during the morning runs between Lakewood and Puyallup.

Sound Transit’s Kimberly Reason said older engines that have been in service for a decade are breaking down.

“We’re experiencing some challenges with those older locomotives, and we are cycling them into overhaul service,” Reason said.

They need maintenance, but the new trains the agency has put into service are also experiencing some bugs. Reason said these trains are computer-controlled and they are very sensitive.

“They are all computerized now, so if a sensor light comes on we have to stop or in some cases, the locomotive won’t allow the engineer to move forward until that sensor light is examined,” Reason said.

Unfortunately for riders, they are going to continue to get caught up in potential delays as Sound Transit finishes maintenance on the older engines and works out the new ones.

“We understand people’s frustration,” Reason said. “Our goal is to always be on time. We know people are getting to work and they’ve got full schedules. We are working through the bugs on some of our newer locomotives and working on rotating our older ones in for service.”

There are 20 Sounder runs each day.