Japan’s Railway Corporate Assembly sent car No. 578-J, a 1927 double-end, two-motor car that had operated first in Kobe, then after WWII, in Hiroshima. The car was ready to run, and quite popular in the last two festivals, but—having just two motors—was slow on hills. Its door arrangement allowed for one-person operation in left-hand-drive Japan, but required a crew of two in San Francisco.

When Mayor Dianne Feinstein saw car No. 578-J on Market Street, she asked if a car from San Francisco’s Japanese sister city, Osaka, could be obtained. After much effort by Market Street Railway, car No. 151 was acquired in 1988, after the Trolley Festivals had been suspended for construction of the permanent F-line. This double-end car is actually better suited for long-term use in San Francisco, with four motors and doors at the front, center, and rear on both sides, suitable for single-person operation. It was tested successfully by Muni, but then stored pending F-line startup. At some point while in supposedly secure indoor storage at Pier 80, the controllers were stolen from No. 151, but these can be replaced. Meantime, No. 578-J, which is currently operational, recently returned to San Francisco after a contractor installed a CPUC-required handbrake and removed its lead paint.

1927
Cars No. 151 (Osaka) and 578-J (Kobe, later Hiroshima) built in Japan.

1986
Car No. 578-Jj given to San Francisco by Japan’s Railway Corporate Assembly.

1988
Car No. 151 arrives in San Francisco to fulfill request of Mayor Feinstein for Osaka car, Market Street Railway volunteers begin cosmetic work on the car. Muni tests, then stores it.

2006
Car No. 578-J receives hand brake and lead paint removal in preparation to return to service; Muni begins bodywork on the car.

2007
Car No. 578-J remains out of service.

Market Street Railway’s goal
Due to the importance of Osaka’s sister-city relationship, and the car’s suitability for one-person operation, restoration of No. 151 should be completed so the car can operate in revenue service as part of the core vintage collection. Car No. 578-J should also be finished and used as demand warrants.