Before fatal train crash, Sound Transit wasn’t following its own safety rules

Sound Transit did not understand its safety responsibilities and it did not follow its own safety plans.

These are among the findings of a new report about the derailment two years ago of an Amtrak Cascades train, which killed three people.

Sound Transit was the owner of the track where the derailment happened. A federal investigation mostly blamed Amtrak for the crash, but it also found fault with Sound Transit.

Now, a consultant's report presented to a Sound Transit committee today says Sound Transit did not understand the extent of its safety responsibilities.

For example, Sound Transit didn't review train drivers' qualifications. Safety staff believed that was the state's job, the consultants found.

Sound Transit did not ensure that the train's timetable noted the need for reduced speed at the fatal curve. On the inaugural run of this route from Seattle to Portland in December 2017, the train's driver took that sharp turn at more than twice the posted speed, causing the derailment.

Sound Transit also did not learn that signs it posted at the curve where the derailment happened were not in the right place, so they would not be heeded by the Amtrak driver.

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff told the committee the agency will act on all 22 recommendations in the report.

He already demoted and may fire the agency's chief safety officer who declared the tracks safe. Sound Transit is embarking on a national search for his permanent replacement.