River Rail Streetcar
The River Rail Streetcar is a heritage railway streetcar system operating in Little Rock and North Little Rock is the U.S. state of Arkansas. It has been in operation since 1 November 2004. As of late 2006, the single line is 2.5 miles long. River Rail Streetcar is operated by Central Arkansas Transit Authority.
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Contents
History
Little Rock has had streetcar before. The first urban rail public transport system was horse tramways opened in 1876. Horse tramways operated until 1895. There was also steam tramway that operated between 3 July 1888 and 1889. Electric traction was introduced 23 December 1891. Electric streetcar operated until 1 September 1947.
New heritage streetcar, officially called River Rail Streetcar, was opened on 1 November 2004. This Phase I consisted of single 2.5 miles long line, that connects two cities, Little Rock and North Little Rock, that are situated on the opposite sides of the Arkansas River.
River Rail Streetcar carried 200,000 passengers in its first year of operation.
In January 2006, the construction of the Phase II began. Phase II is the 0.9 mile extension to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and Heifer International headquarters.
Rolling stock
River Rail Streetcar uses three replicas vintage electric trolleys. Two more streetcars were ordered for the new Phase II extension.
