Light Rail Transit Association   URBAN TRANSIT NEWS 2005

New Orleans trams roll again: The first New Orleans tram to operate under its own power since the onset of Hurricane Katrina on 28 August was one of the historic Perley Thomas cars, which was trucked from the undamaged Carrollton barn to the south end of Canal Street to run trials on 12 December. This section of the system plus the Riverfront line were little damaged and could be fed from the Riverfront substation. Public service on the Riverfront line and up Canal St as far as Clairborne will start on 18 December with seven Perley Thomas cars plus the undamaged Riverfront car in use. Passengers will be able to travel free over the holiday period.

No service is possible on the rest of the Canal St line due to substation damage and the waterlogged fleet which need new electrical equipment. The St Charles line from Carrollton barn cannot be operated due to overhead damage and blockage of the right of way.

15 December 2005