CapMetro Commuter Trains Delayed After Earlier Derailment

EAST AUSTIN, TEXAS — Despite having asserted only minor travel delays would result after a freight train derailment over the weekend, Capital Metro on Monday said commuters were delayed up to 30 minutes in the morning, and expected slowdowns during peak afternoon rush hour.

A freight train derailment early Sunday morning in East Austin resulted in no injuries, but its aftermath prompted street closures and traffic detours as crews worked spent hours to clean up the site. Nine train cars carrying construction material toppled off the tracks at around 4:20 a.m. along the 2300 block of East 6th Street between Robert Martinez Jr. and Pedernales streets on Sunday.

"While we previously anticipated rail repairs to cause only minor delays to passenger service, we were seeing delays up to 30 minutes this morning," CapMetro spokeswoman Mariette Hummel wrote in an email. The delay occurred for a variety of reasons, she explained, including the length of time needed for derailment repairs, ongoing construction and "positive train control" implementation.

However, Hummel wrote CapMetro commuter trains have been back on schedule since 11 am.

Previous story: East Austin Train Derailment Sparks Street Closures, Detours

"We want to give a heads up that some delays may reoccur during PM rush," the spokeswoman added. "Our rail operations team will do everything to prevent or limit any service disruptions."

She advised CapMetro rail user to follow its social media or app for the most current information.

Repairs to the street and crossing where the train cars derailed are expected to be reopened by Wednesday, Dec. 12, Hummel noting, while adding: "We hope to conclude the repair work sooner." The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, she said.

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