Local

Atlanta streetcar towed in overnight test

Atlanta’s streetcar was towed by a large truck at a top speed of about 5 miles an hour in an overnight test.

ATLANTA — Workers and engineers walked with it as the car completed its first of several tests.

The streetcar had to stop at every corner and every connection to make sure the tracks all lined up.

Engineers also measured the clearances at all 12 streetcar stops throughout downtown.

The test drew crowds of onlookers, most of whom said they were excited to finally see the project rolling after so many delays.

"Us as a group came down just to see how this was going to happen and supporting this new movement for Atlanta,” spectator Tim Burden said.

After Saturday’s test will be other tests, in which the streetcar runs on its own using the overhead electrified power lines.

Then there will be more tests with the new drivers.

The city says the streetcars should be running and welcoming its first passengers by the end of the year.