Friday,
March 19, 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas showing a couple of trains and
streetcars. It was almost clear with deep blue skies and temperature 72
degrees. Weather forecasts had a major cold snap forecast for the
weekend, with temperatures falling into the 40s by Sunday with gusty
winds and rain, with the rain becoming mixed with snow Sunday night
with lows in the mid 30s. I've also included some pictures of some
vivid white Bradford Pear tree blossoms next to Union Station.
Included today: 1) Streetcar photos with scenes taken from inside and outside 2) Vivid Bradford Pear tree photos 3) BNSF 9663 4) UP 4940, 4120 5) CEFX 849
LEFT-One
of the Bradford Pear trees across Victory Street from Union Station in
Little Rock. RIGHT-Closeup of one of the blossoms. For more pictures of
these blossoms, click on: http://thundertrain.org/spring-031910.html
LEFT-BNSF 9663 at 2:58 p.m. RIGHT-UP 4940.
LEFT-CEFX
849, a good mix of locomotive colors. RIGHT-One minute later, UP 4120
on Main 2 passed the other train train, 2:59 p.m. This was a long auto
train.
RIGHT-A lonely cloud.
LEFT-The clock in the tower actually works, but they have to re-set it every couple of days. RIGHT-Spring
break always brings good crowds to the River Rail Streetcar system in
Little Rock and North Little Rock. I understand Railfan Magazine had an
article on these streetcars in a recent issue.
LEFT-The
Green Line runs only on the Little Rock loop, while the Blue Line runs
the entire 3.5 mile system in both Little Rock and North Little Rock,
crossing the Arkansas River on the Main Street Bridge. RIGHT-Spring
blossoms as seen from the streetcar in the courthouse district.
LEFT-Closeup
of the 600-volt overhead wire that powers the streetcars. They have
their own power source. RIGHT-Looking south from the streetcar on 2nd
Street showing the downtown area.
LEFT-From
the inside looking east along Markham Street toward the Little Rock
River Market District. You can see another streetcar ahead along with
tons of cars. Over the nearly 6 years of operation, there have been
very few auto-streetcar incidents or accidents. The system averages
120,000 riders a year, which I think I think is pretty good for the
population of the area (Little Rock-North Little Rock has a combined population of around 236,000). RIGHT-Crossing
the Arkansas River on Main Street, overlooking the North Little Rock
Maritime park with the USS Razorback WWII submarine .
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