Kansas City streetcar gets tested on rails Friday

Kansas City’s first streetcar vehicle will be tested Friday along the entire two-mile downtown rail route.

The test is expected to begin about 3:30 a.m. and take about eight to 10 hours. A tow truck will pull the streetcar, but that doesn’t mean it is broken.

This test is to check the streetcar for clearances with the station stops, curbs, corners, overhead wires and other markers. The vehicle will be tested on its own power at a later time.

The tow truck will proceed slowly, and motorists and pedestrians are urged to keep a safe distance. Any vehicles parked on the tracks will be towed.

People can follow the test progress at www.twitter.com/kcstreetcar.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Kansas City streetcar gets tested on rails Friday."