On 22 February 1999 the first of the new light rail vehicles, numbered 2002, was operated over the tracks of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit system. The car was delivered to the yard in Jersey City from the final assembly plant in Harrison, NJ, on the 16th. The next day it was towed slowly along the 8500 foot (2600 m) test track to verify clearances. During the weekend the electrical substations were tested and the catenary was energized. On Monday afternoon the 22nd, the car took overhead power and after minor troubleshooting was operated the length of the route at low speed. The next day the car was repeatedly tested at road speed up to 55 mi/hr. This new design had not had any previous test at speed, and it performed with near- perfection. A second vehicle, number 2001, is due to join 2002 in early March, allowing testing of train operation. 
New Jersey Transit Light Rail Vehicle number 2002 by Kinki Sharyo, the first of a fleet for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit System and the Newark City Subway. It is shown under Highway 169 in Bayonne, changing ends at the southern end of the test track on the 23 February 1999.
Tuesday 9 March 1999
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