After the first streetcar run in the morning, the other runs from then on will go straight to the Clinton Library from North Little Rock, then make the Little Rock loop, and return to North Little Rock. Both North Little Rock streetcars will make the entire 2.9 mile loop and there will be one that stays on the old Little Rock loop, as has been the case. There will be three streetcars running at all times instead of only two, as has been the case. (All photos by Ken Ziegenbein)
All five of River Rail's streetcars are seen in this photo: No. 409, 410, 412 and 408 are inside. The 411 is outside and can be seen in the center-left through the door.
The first revenue run to the Clinton Library and Heifer Internationl leaving at 8:19 a.m. I'm at the 7th and Main stop in North Little Rock, looking to the south.
The first official revenue run to the Clinton Library and Heifer Internatinal, 8:20 a.m. February 14, 2007. I was the first paying customer to get on at a regular stop.
Inside streetcar No. 411.
First fare in the farebox.
Southbound on the Main Street Bridge across the Arkansas River heading to Little Rock, 8:27 a.m.
Heading west along Second Street.
Ready to go on the new track extension to the Clinton Library, 8:49 a.m. after initially making an entire Little Rock downtown loop.
Heading east along Third Street. The track at the right is still in use by the Union Pacific. There are occasional boxcars of newsprint delivered to the newspaper printing facility to the right.
The spur line that has the newsprint boxcars.
End of the line at the library.
The Clinton Library/Heifer International stop. The red brick building at left is the former Choctaw Rock Island passenger depot, now used as a school for the Clinton Library. They will re-position thepole here and head back to downtown. It's 8:54 a.m.
Looking to the north from the trolley stop. The Clinton Library is to the right. At the center of the photo is the old Rock Island railroad bridge.
From inside the No. 411 streetcar.
Looking to the west out the streetcar window at downtown Little Rock from the library stop.
Turning left (north) off of Markham Street onto the Main Street Bridge and back to North Little Rock at 9:15 a.m. Straight ahead is the River Market District of Little Rock.
On the Main Street Bridge looking at the Maritime Museum and Alltel Arena in North Little Rock. The submarine is the USS Razorback, which served in World War II and was at Tokio Bay when Japan surrendered at the end of the war.
Peaceful scene of a reflecting sun on the Arkansas River (which begins near Leadville. Colorado, running through the Royal Gorge in Colorado, and the states of Kansas and Oklahoma on its way to Little Rock). Little Rock is to the right and North Little Rock is to the left. It was 25 degrees this morning.
Looking back at downtown Little Rock.
Back at the 7th and Main stop in North Little Rock at 9:23 a.m. The sun broke out finally.