Little Rock — First Ride

Rail Transit Online, September 2004

Central Arkansas Transit Authority Executive Director Keith Jones piloted RiverRail streetcar No. 410 on part of its first trip around the North Little Rock loop late on the night of Aug. 25, marking the start of a testing program that will culminate in revenue service on Nov. 1.  The initial run was supervised by Travis Ellis of Gomaco Trolley Co., builder of Little Rock’s three replica Birney cars, all of which have been delivered.  Line testing and safety certification will continue through the first week of October.  The 2.5-mi. (4 km), $19.5-million project will connect the downtowns of Little Rock and North Little Rock.  A $7.6-million, quarter-mile (0.4 km) extension to within two blocks of the Bill Clinton presidential library along with the possible purchase of two more trolleys from Gomaco is planned for sometime next year.