I took a ride over the entire 2 1/2 mile loop of the streetcar system in Little Rock-North Little Rock on Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2006. Here are photos along the way. After I rode the loop, I walked along the newly laid tracks of the streetcar line's extension to the Clinton Presidential Center and Park and Heifer International. This extension is 3/4 mile and will be completed by the Fall of 2006. All photos by Ken Ziegenbein

If you want to email me, click here:



These are 'click to enlarge' photos - just click on any photo to double the size of the photo. Or if you want to view the entire site with larger photos, click on:

http://www.trainweather.com/streetcarride040906-broadband.html
  or: http://tinyurl.com/qsw42


LEFT-I got on the trolley at Markham and Conway, next to the Old State House about 4 p.m. We are headed east along Markham, about to turn left (north) to cross the Arkansas River on the Main Street Bridge.  RIGHT-Northbound over the Arkansas River using the Main Street Highway Bridge.


LEFT-The old Missouri Pacific Railroad bridge is to the right. This was given to the City of Little Rock in 2001 and will eventually become a pedestrian walkway. RIGHT-The World War II era submarine 'Razorback' in the center of the picture is open for tours. It was built in 1944 and was in Tokio Bay during the surrender of Japan in 1945. For years it was in Turkey, and in 2004 the city of North Little Rock bought it and brought it back here for display and tours.  It's sitting on the North Little Rock side of the Arkansas River.  In the Fall of 2006 there will be a WWII submariner convention held here in part because of this submarine. The name "Razorback" was not named for the Arkansas Razorback sports masquot, but for a type of fish.


LEFT-About to enter North Little Rock. Still moving to the north.  RIGHT-Alltel Arena is to the right. This has concerts, pro indoor football, ice skating, etc.


LEFT-About to leave the bridge and head north on Main Street in North Little Rock. RIGHT-This 'No Right Turn Across Tracks" sign is frequently ignored.


LEFT-Leaving the Alltel stop into the old downtown area of North Little Rock (formerly Argenta). City Hall is to the right. It has just been fully renovated.  RIGHT-A group is about to board at the old Post Office stop. This is the Post Office is still active and we use it for Arkansas Railroad Club mail.


LEFT-The trolley barn on 7th and Main Streets in North Little Rock.  We are still heading north on Main Street.  RIGHT-We are now westbound on 7th Street in North Little Rock in the old Argenta District. At the light we will turn left (south) on Maple Street and head back to Little Rock.


LEFT-Southbound on Maple Street. A much calmer environment than on the busy River Market  streets.  RIGHT-Maple and Broadway. We turn left (east) here for one block .


LEFT-Eastbound on Broadway in North Little Rock. We turn right at the light onto Main Street again then head south toward Little Rock.  RIGHT-Nearing the Alltel stop again heading south.


LEFT-About to cross Washington Street and go over the Arkansas River Bridge again.  RIGHT-Over the bridge. Downtown Little Rock is to the right.  The River Market District is to the left.

RIGHT-The old MoPac bridge again. You can just see the Clinton Library through the bridge.

LEFT-The River Park behind the River Market as seen from the streetcar on the bridge.  RIGHT-The bridge crosses Cantrell Road - Arkansas Highway 10 that parallels the old Rock Island west of Little Rock. The paved pathway just to the left of the wall in the center of the picture used to be the Missouri Pacific line that ran from the Junction Bridge to Union Station (about a mile and a half to the right). This was abandonded in the late 1990s I believe.


LEFT-Still heading south and crossing the river bridge, about to turn left (east) on Markham/Clinton Avenue into the River Market. RIGHT-Eastbound on President Clinton Avenue.


LEFT-This is the heart of the River Market District. Cars have to park inside the white lines otherwise they'll block the trolley, and thus block all the other cars for blocks. There have been a few cases of cars being towed in order to clear the line. That usually costs the drivers of the cars over $400.  RIGHT-Passing the Flying Saucer restaurant, one of many restaurants in this area.


LEFT-A police sub-station in the area.  RIGHT-We turned right on Commerce and head south for one block, where we'll turn right again and head west on 2nd Street.


LEFT-We're about to turn right. The track you see straight ahead will be the extension of the line to the Clinton Library and Heifer Project in the Fall of 2006. I walked this 3/4-mile extension later after getting off the trolley.  RIGHT-Westbound on 2nd Street. The Central Arkansas Pubic Library is to the right.


LEFT-The upcoming block on 2nd Street is the site of the Historic Arkansas Museum, formerly known as the Territorial Restoration. It has some original early 1800s buildings on it.  RIGHT-Still heading west on 2nd Street.

LEFT-The tower with the clock is the 1880 Pulaski County Courthouse, still used today.  It has recently been renovated with a new slate roof among other things. That was only the 2nd slate roof it had since it was built.  RIGHT-About to turn right on Spring Street, heading north for one block. The operators give tourist information as they drive the trolleys.

LEFT-About to turn right on Markham Street. The Doubletree Hotel is straight ahead with the Peabody Hotel about a block to the right.  RIGHT-This is where I got on, Markham and Conway Streets. The Old State House is to the left.

LEFT-I just thought this was a cool shot as the streetcar headed east, back to North Little Rock.  RIGHT-New streetcar track: This is Commerce Street looking to the north.

LEFT-Curving onto 3rd Street toward the east.  RIGHT-Looking to the east. Tracks are on both sides of the 3rd Street.

LEFT-Axiom's headquarters are located in this building.  RIGHT-Ready to go under Interstate 30.



LEFT-Looking east toward the Clinton Presidential Center and Park. The brick building in the center is the old Choctaw (Rock Island) passenger depot being used as a school for the Clinton Library. It's at its original location. I assume the trolley track on the right will have eastbound traffic while the one on the left will have westbound. The track in the grass is the end of a still active UP line (former Rock Island) used to haul newsprint to the Democrat-Gazette printing facilities to the right.


LEFT-You can see the boxcar on the siding. RIGHT-Better view of the old Choctaw Station.


LEFT-The bridge in the center is the Rock Island Sunbelt Line's bridge over the Arkansas River, now owned by the Clinton Library. It will be developed into a pedestrian walkway.  RIGHT-End of the trolley line. I understand they will loop this around so that the trolley just goes around the loop to head back to downtown.

LEFT-Heifer International's site.  RIGHT-Horsedrawn tours.


LEFT-Another view of the Choctaw Station with the bridge. Sure wish there'd still be Rock Island trains passing through here instead of the library (the library could be moved a few hundred yards to the east). Then the trolleys could connect with long-distance Rock Island Rocket trains!!  RIGHT-One more view. The main Clinton Library is in the grey building in the center. To the right in the picture is roughly the site of the old Choctaw Freight House.


The original Choctaw Route sign.