as local buses operated by RiverCities Transit, the local transit authority. Boardings and alightings Historical events November 1993 accident A head-on crash between a Burlington Northern and Union Pacific train occurred just south of Kelso on November 11, 1993. Five crew were killed in the accident and subsequent fire, which was fueled by approximately of diesel fuel on board the trains. The double track corridor in the area served around 60 passenger and freight trains per day, making it one of the busiest rail corridors in the United States at the time of the accident. The Kelso station was used as a staging area for Burlington Northern's Incident Response Unit. Station remodel In 1994 and 1995, the station was inundated with water damage when the nearby Cowlitz River peaked over the dike at and flooded the basement and platform area, which ultimately led to the approval of the remodel. Greyhound service to the depot was temporarily disrupted from 2006 to 2007 after a dispute with the city over maintenance costs. Other events In 1993, a special Burlington Northern train made a stop at the station while it was carrying the company's CEO and board members on an inspection of the system. Numerous special events are held at the station each year, the most notable of which is the Kelso Christmas Celebration at which the mayor lights the Christmas tree that adorns the clock tower and Santa Claus makes a visit via the Amtrak Cascades train. Between 1999 and 2004, the Kelso City Council held its meetings in the station's basement, because City Hall had been torn down to make way for a new bridge spanning the Cowlitz River. References External links Amtrak stations in Washington (state) Railway stations in the United States opened in 1912 Transit centers in the United States Transportation buildings and structures in Cowlitz County, Washington 1912 establishments in Washington (state) Former Northern Pacific Railway stations in Washington (state) Former Union Pacific Railroad stations in Washington (state) Former Great Northern Railway (U.S.) stations