1926 Car No. 351 in its hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Muni’s erstwhile competitor, Market Street Railway Company, dedicated a special streetcar to taking San Francisco schoolkids on field trips. That car is widely remembered today as the private company’s most successful public relations tool.

Today’s nonprofit Market Street Railway purchased a vintage streetcar with the idea of reviving this tradition: a 'Teaching Ttrolley' that would mostly run in regular service as part of the core historic fleet, but would be outfitted with teaching aids for school classes and other groups to charter, and to attract families to the city on weekends and in summers.

Car No. 351 itself is a classic American trolley: a 1926 double–end, arch roof steel car from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, of a design virtually identical to cars once operated by the old Market Street Railway Company. It is complete with original rattan seats and wood trim and has received protective preservation by the nonprofit Market Street Railway, with the intention of donating the car to Muni once restoration plans have been agreed on. It is easy to make ADA accessible and simple to convert to one–person operation

1926—Built by St. Louis Car Company for Johnstown Traction Company, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Operated in Johnstown until retirement in 1960 (picture at right, car during World War II).

1960s—Acquired by private party for never–built attraction in Sonoma County; stored under cover for almost 30 years.

1989—Purchased by Market Street Railway for future use by Muni. Protective cosmetic work performed on car by volunteers to maintain it for preservation. Car remains (tarped) at Market Street Railway’s Pharr Restoration Facility at Market & Duboce.