Muni never formally accepted the car, but still allowed it to be stored, unused, at Geneva Division. The audaciousness of Klebolt’s initiative was remembered a few years later by Chamber of Commerce transportation committee chair Rick Laubscher, who was working on an interim substitute visitor attraction for the cable car system, then being rebuilt. If other cars like No. 3557 could be obtained, he thought, it might be possible to mount a historic trolley festival on Market Street. When that became reality, Klebolt sprang into action, convincing the Muni shops to repaint No. 3557 and restore it to operation. The car proved very popular in four years of festival service, and Klebolt went on to help acquire several other historic streetcars for Muni’s fleet before his death in 1988.

Car No. 3557 played a prominent role in the 1992 San Francisco streetcar centennial parade, but with ADA accessibility required for the F-line, the car was sidelined until its doors could be widened. The car is currently off line in storage at Muni’s Marin facility.

1954
Built in Germany for Hamburger Hochbahn.

1978
Retired from service in Hamburg, Germany.

1979
Acquired by San Francisco travel agent Maurice Klebolt, who offered it to Muni.

1984-87
Operated successfully in four Historic Trolley Festivals.

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

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

2007
Stored at Muni’s Marin Street facility at Islais Creek.

Market Street Railway’s goal
Evaluate future usefulness for E- and F-line service. If suitable, rebuild front or center doors for ADA accessibility, renovate car and meet minimum CPUC requirements. If retained, operate car in revenue service as part of the core vintage collection plan.