Austin's Zilker Eagle bogged down by further delays

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Zilker Eagle train delayed its launch in Austin's Zilker Park again, amid clearance issues discovered during the latest round of testing.

Earlier this year, officials with The Austin Parks Foundation -- the organization behind the upcoming Zilker Eagle -- aimed at a March return for the park's train system. However, in late March, a representative confirmed it wasn't ready for a re-launch.

In an update to KXAN Tuesday, a representative said testing operations with a full load of staff resulted in some "clearance issues" on the trains. The train coaches are heading back to Schertz, Texas for added adjustments, including stronger springs and life trucks "to boost the train cars to increase their clearance from the bottom of the car to the track with a full load.

"While this was disappointing, it's also exactly why we test!" the spokesperson said in an email. "We want to work out all the kinks and ensure the train is 100% safe before we open it to the public."

After the trains receive their adjustments, they'll head back to Zilker Park for additional testing. The Zilker Eagle will replace the "Zilker Zephyr," a train system previously operational in Zilker Park.

Zilker Park has operated without a train since May 2019, after a storm eroded the ground beneath the train tracks.