A familiar friend for locals and visitors alike is back in service.
The big red streetcar is back again along the NORTA's Riverfront line.
With its ringing bells, the deep rumble of its wheels, and the easy sway of the carbody as it traverses the line from French Market to Canal Street.
Service was interrupted following the collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel at Canal and Rampart Streets. The car reappeared on the line early this morning.
The collapse of the structure knocked out service on Canal, Rampart, Loyola and the Riverfront routes as there was no way to get the streetcars to the barn and back.
But now, 23-days after the collapse, the line has resumed its 24-hour schedule operating every 20-minutes from 5:30am to 9:50pm, then on 40-minute head ways overnight.
And while the rest of the line to Julia St. is still suspended as construction on the Four Seasons Hotel continues, the return of the red cars is another sign New Orleans' always returns to form after adversity.