River Rail Streetcar
Encyclopedia
The River Rail Streetcar is a heritage streetcar
system operating in Little Rock
and North Little Rock
in the U.S.
state of Arkansas
. It has operated since November 1, 2004. As of February 17, 2007, the system is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long after its first extension was put into service. River Rail Streetcar is operated by Central Arkansas Transit Authority
.
and Stifft's Station neighborhoods.
The River Rail Streetcar opened on November 1, 2004. Phase I consisted of a single 2.5 miles (4 km) long line that connects two cities, Little Rock and North Little Rock, situated on opposite sides of the Arkansas River
.
The River Rail Streetcar carried 200,000 passengers in its first year of operation.
In January 2006, construction of the Phase II began. Phase II is the 0.9 miles (1.4 km) extension to the William J. Clinton Presidential Center
and Heifer International
headquarters.
On February 16, 2007, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, and North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hays cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the River Rail extension to the Presidential Center and Heifer International, adding almost a 33% increase in new track to the system. The total mileage is now 3.4 miles (5.5 km).
. If the expansion is completed, the status of the line could take a role in some form of light rail
line, instead of its current role as a heritage trolley. It, among others in Savannah and Tampa are considered a hybrid form of transport known as "rapid streetcar". The expansion of the River Rail Streetcar line, turning it into a more effective rail rapid transit line, would be the first example of such a system in the United States.
.
WW II submarine, trolley barn, Verizon Arena, and the Dickey-Stephens baseball park (home of the Arkansas Travelers
).
The stops are indicated with 10 feet (3.05 m)-tall black signs and yellow sidewalk "bumps" curbside with the system map posted at each stop. Trolleys cannot be hailed between stops.
Both stops and cars can be sponsored for a donation.
Heritage streetcar
Heritage streetcars or heritage trams are a development of the heritage railways that are becoming popular across the world. As with modern streetcar systems, the vehicles are referred to as trams or tramcars in the United Kingdom, Australasia and certain other places , but as streetcars or...
system operating in Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
and North Little Rock
North Little Rock, Arkansas
the city was 62.55% White, 33.98% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races...
in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. It has operated since November 1, 2004. As of February 17, 2007, the system is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) long after its first extension was put into service. River Rail Streetcar is operated by Central Arkansas Transit Authority
Central Arkansas Transit Authority
The Central Arkansas Transit Authority, operating as The CAT, provides public transportation for Little Rock, Arkansas and suburban Pulaski County, Arkansas. Several other areas outside these region are served by commuter routes...
.
History
Little Rock's first horse tramway opened in 1876. Horse tramways operated until 1895. A steam tramway operated between July 3, 1888 and 1889. Electric traction was introduced December 23, 1891. Electric streetcars operated until September 1, 1947, extending as far west as the city's HillcrestPulaski Heights, Little Rock, Arkansas
Pulaski Heights is a section of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, located in the north-central portion of the city. The area comprises two distinct neighborhoods representing a historic suburb dating from the 1890s, and was among the first areas annexed into Little Rock.Incorporated in 1903 and...
and Stifft's Station neighborhoods.
The River Rail Streetcar opened on November 1, 2004. Phase I consisted of a single 2.5 miles (4 km) long line that connects two cities, Little Rock and North Little Rock, situated on opposite sides of the Arkansas River
Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas...
.
The River Rail Streetcar carried 200,000 passengers in its first year of operation.
In January 2006, construction of the Phase II began. Phase II is the 0.9 miles (1.4 km) extension to the William J. Clinton Presidential Center
William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park
The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is the presidential library of Bill Clinton. The center was established by Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States, is located in Little Rock, Arkansas and includes the Clinton Presidential Library, the offices of the Clinton Foundation,...
and Heifer International
Heifer International
Heifer International is a global nonprofit with the goal of ending poverty and hunger in a sustainable fashion. Established in 1944, Heifer International gives out gifts of livestock, seeds and trees and extensive training to those in need...
headquarters.
On February 16, 2007, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, and North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hays cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the River Rail extension to the Presidential Center and Heifer International, adding almost a 33% increase in new track to the system. The total mileage is now 3.4 miles (5.5 km).
Expansion
Additional extensions to the system are under discussion, the most ambitious of which is a 2.5 miles (4 km) extension to Little Rock National AirportLittle Rock National Airport
Little Rock National Airport , officially Little Rock National Airport/Adams Field, is located 2 miles east of the central business district of Little Rock, a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas' largest commercial service airport, serving more than 2.1 million...
. If the expansion is completed, the status of the line could take a role in some form of light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
line, instead of its current role as a heritage trolley. It, among others in Savannah and Tampa are considered a hybrid form of transport known as "rapid streetcar". The expansion of the River Rail Streetcar line, turning it into a more effective rail rapid transit line, would be the first example of such a system in the United States.
Rolling stock
River Rail Streetcar initially used three replica vintage electric trolleys. Two more streetcars were added as a part of the new Phase II extension. The design of these cars is generally similar to Birney type streetcars used in Little Rock until after World War Two. The original number series for those cars was 400-407. The present cars continue that number series, albeit 60 years later, with the current cars being numbered 408-412. All of the present cars are manufactured by Gomaco Trolley CompanyGomaco Trolley Company
The Gomaco Trolley Company is a manufacturer of vintage-style streetcars , located in Ida Grove, Iowa, United States...
.
Stations
The trolley stops at many downtown attractions, from the Clinton Library to the historic River Market. The stops include the Peabody Hotel, Heifer Intl., and the Historic Arkansas Museum. Stations continue into the rapidly rejuvenating area of North Little Rock known as Argenta. Stops there include access to the USS Razorback (SS-394)USS Razorback (SS-394)
USS Razorback , a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the razorback, a species of whale found in the far southern reaches of the Pacific Ocean. It is arguably the longest-serving submarine still existing in the world, having been commissioned by two...
WW II submarine, trolley barn, Verizon Arena, and the Dickey-Stephens baseball park (home of the Arkansas Travelers
Arkansas Travelers
The Arkansas Travelers, also known informally as The Travs, are a Minor League Baseball team based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Major League club....
).
The stops are indicated with 10 feet (3.05 m)-tall black signs and yellow sidewalk "bumps" curbside with the system map posted at each stop. Trolleys cannot be hailed between stops.
Both stops and cars can be sponsored for a donation.