Canal Streetcar Line www.streetcarmike.com Created March 29, 2004 and updated September 26, 2006. ©2004-2006 Michael Strauch. PROTOTYPE STREETCAR: The Canal Streetcar line opened for regular service April 18, 2004. When I visited New Orleans in November 2001, I had the opportunity to ride and photograph demonstrator car 2001 then in service from Baronne to the River. Car 2001 crossing North/South Peters Street, November 22, 2001. Car 2001 at the temporary Baronne/Dauphine end of the line, November 22, 2001. Wheelchair lift on car 2001. St. Charles car 907 and Canal car 2001 together. CARS UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Canal car 2008 under construction. From Earl Hampton. FIRST DAY OF REVENUE SERVICE, APRIL 18, 2004: Edward J. Branley at CanalStreetCar.com gave me this scan of the last Canal-Cemeteries bus on the morning of April 18, 2004. According to Peter Ehrlich, the patrons of the first streetcar (at right) booed the bus. Route numbers assigned were 42 (Cemeteries, the former bus route number) and 45 (City Park). Here are some pictures my brother Joe (JoJo the Clown) shot for me in the late afternoon. They're good quality for being a single-use camera in the hands of someone who doesn't normally take pictures of public transit. I may make Joe an official streetcarmike.com photographer! Click the thumbnails for full-size images. Car 2017 on route 42 at the Cemeteries terminal. View of car 2017 toward Greenwood Cemetery. Car 2018 at an unidentified stop. Note some passengers grinning at my brother, who's still in his clown makeup after a show. Car 2022 under the I-10 overpass at North/South Claiborne. Another passenger hamming it up for the clown. Car 2022 on Route 45 (City Park/Museum) stopped outside A. Philip Randolph SIS. HURRICANE KATRINA: After the late August 2005 hurricane and subsequent flooding, the A. Philip Randolph based streetcars were severely damaged. Water went high up the belt rail of the Von Dullen 2000-series trolleys as well as the 400-series Riverfront cars. Major repair or replacement will be necessary to get streetcars back on track. On October 31, 2005 RTA reinstated the 42-Canal Cemeteries bus line. On Sunday, December 18, 2005 the RTA scheduled the return of streetcar service to New Orleans. The St. Charles cars were spared damage, so one of them ran a test on the Riverfront and the CBD part of Canal, also spared by the hurricane. Six cars began operating regular Canal service. Service out to the Cemeteries and to City Park were eventually restored under new route numbers 47 (Cemeteries) and 48 (City Park). The route 42 bus continued for ADA accessibility not available in the borrowed St. Charles cars. POST KATRINA SERVICE: Thanks to my brother and his friend for these photographs. Perley Thomas 923 at Canal and Treme on January 2, 2006. My collection. Perley Thomas 923 and 947 at Canal and Treme on January 2, 2006. My collection. Perley Thomas 947 at Canal and Treme on January 2, 2006. My collection. Canal and Riverfront cars rest at A. Philip Randolph Station awaiting their future, January 2, 2006. My collection. The next photos are courtesy of Earl Hampton. Car 915 at North Peters, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. Car 920 on the Riverfront trackage, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. Car 923 approaching the river, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. Car 923 at Carondelet, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. Car 930 at the Aquarium, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. Car 947 at the International Trade Mart, January 2006. Earl Hampton photo. www.streetcarmike.com -- Strauchy Goodness in Every Byte! Canal Street: A Street Railway Spectacular by George Friedman NYC Subway photos from New Orleans