Via DDOT.

What if I told you D.C.’s first streetcars in more than 50 years were on H Street NE RIGHT NOW? You’d probably say something like “wait a minute, that already happened, and then they took them back for testing or something” Well, you’d be right, except that this time, they’re there for good.

That’s right, earlier today, the District Department of Transportation permanently moved the first of four streetcars to the H Street and Benning Road NE corridor, where they’ll remain for operator training and other testing until passenger service starts (!). The other three will be brought on to the tracks by the end of this week.

So, does that mean we’ve got a start date as to when we’ll be able to start riding the streetcars? Nope. DDOT says it’s “expected later this year,” however. While they begin System Integration Testing for the vehicles, which includes integration, power, communications, and traffic and train signal controls, in-traffic operators will begin training, so expect to see those bad boys going up and down H Street NE during traffic from here on out. In addition to the four streetcars delivered today, DDOT says there’s two more on the way.

Meanwhile, DDOT is advising motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians to be aware of the streetcars during the testing and training phases. Also worth remembering: vehicles blocking the streetcar tracks are now subject to a $100 fine.