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2nd streetcar arrives in Milwaukee
2nd streetcar arrives in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- The second Milwaukee streetcar vehicle for The Hop arrived in the city on Monday, May 14. It left manufacturer Brookville Equipment Corp. by flatbed truck on Thursday, May 10.
Arrival of Milwaukee's second streetcar vehicle
"My son loves trains, and the streetcar, this is part of our weekly routine -- is checking the progress," said Leah Wanta, with her 3-year-old Max.
The 67-foot long, 83,000-pound streetcar vehicle traveled from Brookville Equipment Corp. by flatbed truck in Pennsylvania, through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois before arriving in Milwaukee. It's the second of what will eventually be five streetcars.
Arrival of Milwaukee's second streetcar vehicle
The streetcar was rolled off the truck on West St. Paul Avenue between North 2nd and North 4th Streets. It then headed inside the streetcar’s adjacent operations and maintenance facility on N. 4th Street.
Arrival of Milwaukee's second streetcar vehicle
"It’s pretty cool watching the progress. All the construction and finally to see the cars come in – it’s been really interesting," said John Nieves, a plant safety specialist in the Postal Service facility along St. Paul Avenue.
"It’s helping this community start to understand what it is that we’re doing. This is not the Heritage Line that Milwaukee once had. This is really a new, modern rail transit operation that we’re developing here," said Jeff Polenske, city engineer.
Polenske said on-track testing along St. Paul will take place sporadically over the next few weeks. Come June, the streetcar will begin trial runs through the city on the full route.
Arrival of Milwaukee's second streetcar vehicle
"There’s a series of testing before you get it onto the tracks, but then there’s about 600-700 miles of break-in period that each vehicle has to be operated for," said Polenske.
With the controversial project expected to start carrying passengers in November, many residents are taking a "wait and see" approach.
Arrival of Milwaukee's second streetcar vehicle
"I like the fact that the rides, for the first year, will be free. I think it’s good because Milwaukee is growing, especially this area here. I think it will bring more people into the city. I don’t know, we’ll see. I’m mixed right now," said Nieves.
The remaining three streetcars are should arrive one at a time between June and August. Once rides start, they will be free for the first year thanks to a partnership with Potawatomi Hotel and Casino.
More information on the vehicles can be found by CLICKING HERE.