The modern streetcars the District has purchased were manufactured by Skoda-Inekon in Plzen of the Czech Republic. In late 2009 the vehicles were shipped across the Atlantic to the Port of Baltimore and then to the Metro Yard in Greenbelt, Maryland where they are currently stored, maintained and tested.
These cars are 2.46 meters (about 8 feet) wide and 20 meters long (about 66 feet), about 10 inches narrower and 1/3 the length of a light rail double car train. They are able to operate in mixed traffic and easily accommodate existing curbside parking and loading.
A unique shallow 12-inch deep track slab design reduces the construction time and utility relocations. The maneuverability of the shorter and narrower Skoda vehicles has allowed the 8-foot wide track slab to be fitted to existing grades, limiting the scope of street and sidewalk reconstruction.
Below in the Related Videos link is a video clip of the arrival of the DC Streetcars at the Port of Baltimore.
Goals
The modern streetcars the District has purchased were manufactured by Skoda-Inekon in Plzen of the Czech Republic.