Newest KC streetcar starts overnight testing

KC Streetcar operators this week began overnight testing of its newest streetcar, No. 807.

The test marked the first time the car traveled along the route in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, after in-shop inspections and tests, KC Streetcar officials said in a press release.

This first test run was conducted along Main Street — which was closed to traffic — and included various propulsion and brake tests. Night testing will continue into next week.

The CAF-manufactured streetcars feature three braking systems: friction, dynamic and track (emergency) brakes. The tests monitor all three systems and are performed with empty and fully loaded and weighted streetcars to simulate crowded and max-loaded cars.

Upcoming test runs will include further tests of the brake systems in various scenarios, including under maximum vehicle speeds of 43 mph.

As with the original streetcars, each new car is a bi-directional vehicle stretching 77 feet and weighing 78,000 pounds.