Built in 1912, this tram carried millions of passengers through Czarist, Soviet, and Glasnost governments. Originally built for Moscow, it carried ammunition to the front, and wounded soldiers to safety during Hitler’s onslaught of the Soviet capital in World War II. Later, the small single-truck tram was moved to the Soviet city of Orel, where it soldiered on before becoming a work car. It was then restored to passenger configuration for display in an Orel Museum.

In 1987, the Soviet Consulate in San Francisco agreed to donate the car to Mayor Feinstein as a gesture of Glasnost. They dubbed it ‘Streetcar Named Desire for Peace’ and presented it in time to run in the final Trolley Festival in 1987. It was very popular, and gained applause again when it led Muni’s historic fleet in a 1992 parade celebrating 100 years of electric streetcars in San Francisco. But, as the car requires rear door modification to board wheelchairs, it has been held out of F-line service. Still operational, it is at Market Street Railway’s restoration facility, where volunteers have stripped and revarnished the interior, strengthened and recanvassed the roof, and restored other aspects of the car.

1912
Built for Moscow by Colomna Machine works.

1912-1960
Regular service in Moscow. Service during Battle of Moscow for troop and ammunition transport, evacuation of wounded.

1960
Transferred to Orel for further passenger service.

1978
Converted to work car.

1982
Retired and restored to passenger appearance as exhibit at Orel transport museum.

1987
Donated by Soviet Consul General. Operated successfully in final Historic Trolley Festival.

1992
Led Muni’s Market Street parade celebrating 100th anniversary of electric streetcar operation in San Francisco.

1995
Held out of regular F-line service at startup, pending ADA modifications.

2003
Deteriorating in outdoor storage, Market Street Railway requested the car be moved to its restoration facility; preservation work continues.

Market Street Railway’s goal
Rebuild rear door for wheelchair accessibility, check motors and systems, meet minimum CPUC requirements. Operate on limited basis in summers and other key periods to attract more San Francisco visitors.