Clocking the MetroRail during rush hour

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Train 201 was waiting at the downtown Austin station on East 4th Street when we arrived at 3:35 Tuesday afternoon. The MetroRail train's final destination of 'Leander' lit up the digital marquees displayed through the windows on all sides.

The operator was the only one allowed on board. He was ready to start the first full real-time test run. After opening the doors for imaginary passengers to board, the train took off right on time at 4:45 p.m.

"That train that just left will be headed to Leander -- be there in an hour," said Capital Metro Spokesperson Erica McKewen with confidence.

The train had already passed the Highland Station by the time we arrived in our car at 4:15 p.m. After jumping back on the highway, we had to slow down to 10 miles per hour on US Hwy 183 near Mopac where traffic had already started piling up.

The train beat us to the Leander station with a recorded arrival time of 4:46 p.m. It was 61-minute trip from downtown.

We clocked the next train making the full trip from downtown to Leander. It left the station at 4:55 p.m

One hour later it came to a halt in Leander. It is a good sign so far for Cap Metro as they try to move forward months behind schedule.

"It's good for the community to see movement and progress," said McKewen. "It has been a difficult road, and we're working through the remaining issues."

The train is set to run every 35 minutes during morning and evening rush hour. The schedule is only tentative for now. Adjustments could be made after the testing phase ends.

For more MetroRail information click here.