In our last post, we looked back on the last days of streetcar service on the B-Geary line. In this post — an updated version of a story that appeared in the Summer 2002 issue of our member newsletter, Inside Track — we take a broader look back at the demise of streetcars in San Francisco in general, including the original F-line.
Month: September 2008
What Might Have Been: Geary
A recent post over at the Transbay Blog on the old B-Geary streetcar line inspired us to republish and update the following story from our Fall 2002 member newsletter, Inside Track. In a previous issue, we had looked at the decisions made — and not made — that doomed streetcar service on the original F-line (today’s 30-Stockton bus) and the old H-line (on Van Ness and Potrero Avenues). Their demise at the beginning of the 1950s left San Francisco with just seven streetcar lines, down from a high of around 50. And the clock was ticking for two of them…
Streetcar Rebuilding Proposals Delayed
Muni has two major requests for proposals to rebuild vintage streetcars out on the street. One proposal would renovate sixteen streamlined PCC streetcars to double the existing fleet of that type of car. The other would restore Muni’s flagship streetcar, vintage-1912 car No. 1, to its original glory in preparation for Muni’s centennial in 2012.
Important Muni Meeting Tuesday
E for Excellent, Embarcadero Streetcar Line Proves Popular
Rick Laubscher photo.
Iron Monster to Run Sunday on the E-line
Vintage car No. 162 near AT&T Park, returning to the barn on June 1, 2008 after being displayed at the APTA Rail Conference. Robert Parks photo.
PCC Streetcar Makes a Cameo in Harvey Milk Movie
Focus Features photo.
Ride the E-Embarcadero Line to South Beach
Streetcar No. 952 runs past the ballpark on King Street during the last E-line demonstration service on August 31, 2008. David Dugan photo.
Special Delivery
As part of our mission, Market Street Railway creates displays on-board the historic streetcars to educate San Franciscans and visitors on interesting aspects of the city’s transit history. We call it the Museums in Motion project. This is an online version of one of those displays.
Great History Lessons a Click Away
If you’re interested in reading some well-written (and accurate!) San Francisco transit history and musing on some very important “might-have-beens,” check out two recent entries on the Transbay Blog. Eric, the blogger, is a sharp observer and smooth writer. For years now, we’ve had in our ‘future file’ for Inside Track (our quarterly printed newsletter) the proposed Muni subway system that went down to defeat on the 1937 ballot. Eric beat us to it.
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