. . . the end of the line, that is. In 1952 William Harry recorded this view of streetcars at the end of the line for the Canal Street run in New Orleans, Louisiana. At this time Canal Street was the main thoroughfare in New Orleans, and the heart of the retail business district. The New Orleans Public Service streetcars ran quite frequently on this line to handle the passenger traffic.

The mighty Mississippi River is just out of view in the background. At this end of the line, the streetcar track merely circles around on a loop, then branches into the several holding tracks seen here. There was a partially underground break room for the crews here, located in the center of the loop. The cars will depart shortly at timed intervals.

The long viaduct behind the car at center is for pedestrian passengers of the river ferry. Vehicles enter the ferry at near ground level, while the pedestrians enter the ferry at its upper level cabin. The tracks of several railroads pass beneath that viaduct, following the riverfront and serving the various warehouses along the wharves. The two fellows at right are likely dock workers leaving work for home, my assumption based on their dress and the long afternoon shadows.

Seen directly behind the viaduct is the turret of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad passenger station and its train shed. It will be closed and demolished in a couple years, with the L&N transferring their passenger service to the new Union Passenger Terminal on Loyola Avenue.