Author: Rick Laubscher
Walgreen’s Invents New Transit Vehicle
Underneath the very intersection of historic transit in San Francisco, in the basement of the old Emporium (now a food court named — wait for it — the Food Emporium), is a shiny new Walgreen’s. Kind of a mini-Walgreen’s, actually. There are a couple of bigger ones within a block or two (are drug stores multiplying like Starbucks?)
Photo of the (Past) Moment: Centenarian at Birth
Muni streetcar No. 130, still in service, at Geary and Grant, c. 1920. Click to enlarge.
“The Streetcar Named Common Sense”
A Milan tram passes a T-line light rail vehicle on Third Street at 23rd Street in Dogpatch.Since October 2012, Muni’s Milan trams have been housed at Muni Metro East a few blocks away, with no incidences of them interfering with T-line operations when they enter and leave service via Third Street through Mission Bay and Dogpatch. This part of Third Street is slated for major residential and commercial development. Photo Copyright Peter Ehrlich.
Streetcar History Talk at California Historical Society April 30
Here’s an announcement from the California Historical Society about a talk Wednesday, April 30, at 6 pm at their headquarters, 678 Mission Street, between Second and Third. Come by and chat with Rick!
Warriors Arena in Mission Bay Boosts Importance of Extending the E-Line
A vintage PCC streetcar, in special service, pauses at the station on Third Street that would serve the new Warriors arena, as a T-line light rail vehicle heads in the other direction. Market Street Railway advocates permanent E-line vintage streetcar service through Mission Bay and Dogpatch by the time the Warriors arena opens, slated for 2018. Copyrighted photo by Kevin Sheridan.
Museum Closed through Wednesday, April 23
The first day’s progress refinishing our museum floor, on the window side of our embedded "tracks." Brian Leadingham photo. Click to enlarge.
Telling a Great Story of 108 Years Ago
On or about April 14, 1906, 108 years ago this week, pioneering professional filmmakers the Miles Brothers bolted a hand-cranked camera onto the front of a cable car and rode down Market Street from Eighth Street to the Ferry Building. The film they shot has gained new interest in the past few years, since film historian David Kiehn demonstrated that it was made just a few days before the great earthquake and fire destroyed almost everything you see. (Previously, the film was thought to have been made in the summer of 1905.)
Special History Sale and Book Signing Today
Today (Saturday, April 12) is a special day at our San Francisco Railway Museum. From 11 a.m. through mid-afternoon, we’ll be holding a sidewalk sale of transit and railroad books, photos, memorabilia, and ephemera right outside the museum just across from the Ferry Building (F-line Steuart Street stop).
New Streetcar Book Signing at Museum April 12
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