PHOTOS: Jerusalem Light Rail Testing

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Jaffa Road, the main thoroughfare in Jerusalem pretty much since the new city was founded in the 19th Century closed to all traffic with the exception of light rail trains and pedestrians on January 15, 2011.  This closure is permanent, and was necessitated by the need to start the next phase of testing for the Jerusalem Light Rail, which is scheduled to fully open in August, though it may be open on a limited basis starting in April (though if the April start date ends up as a reality, I might be in the US at the time, go figure).  Anyway, I was surprised that only a few days after closing the street, LRVs were already being tested, and needless to say missed a good photo op within the first week of testing by not having my camera.  I've been carrying it since, and tonight, finally, got some photos, which are shown here.



















Trains have been testing on various segments of the light rail for almost 12 months now (photos and a video of testing on the first segment that trains were tested on can be seen on my website by clicking here) but the closure of Yafo in town marks the start of testing on the entire line.

More to come as August gets nearer and nearer, I can assure you all of that.  Who knows, maybe even the Messiah will arrive on the first train, as everyone likes to joke around here...

[WMAveteran]

Good photographs, thanks.