Central Link facts for kids

Central Link is a special train line in Seattle, Washington. It helps people travel easily across the city. This train line is 20 miles long and connects important places like the city's airport, Downtown Seattle, and the University of Washington. The Central Link train started running in 2009, making travel faster and simpler for many people.

What is the Central Link?

The Central Link is part of Seattle's Link Light Rail system. It's like a big, electric train that runs on special tracks. These trains are a great way to move around Seattle without getting stuck in traffic. They are also good for the environment because they use electricity instead of gasoline.

Where Does the Train Go?

The Central Link connects many key spots in Seattle. It starts at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, which is often called Sea-Tac Airport. From there, it travels north, passing through different neighborhoods.

The train then reaches Downtown Seattle, which is the city's main business and shopping area. Many people use the train to get to work or to visit attractions downtown. Further north, the line goes all the way to the University of Washington, a large and well-known school. This makes it easy for students and staff to get to campus.

When Did it Start?

The Central Link train line officially opened in 2009. Before that, it took many years to plan and build the tracks, stations, and trains. When it first opened, it was a big step for public transportation in Seattle. Over the years, more stations and extensions have been added to the Link Light Rail system, making it even more useful for people living in and visiting Seattle.

Images for kids

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  A Tacoma-bound Puget Sound Electric Railway interurban train seen in the 1920s. This was an early type of electric train.

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  The main entrance building of Beacon Hill station, seen while it was being built in May 2009.

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  This high bridge carries the Link Light Rail train over the Duwamish River in Tukwila.

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  A map of Line 1, which is the Central Link. It shows all the stations along the route.

See also

In Spanish: Línea Roja (Tren Ligero de Seattle) para niños