Left to right: Craig Walker, Nick Figone, Alison Cant, and Bill Smalley put the finishing touches on their deep clean of the Blackpool Boat Tram in the shadow of the US Mint. Rick Laubscher photo.
Boat Made Shipshape
All Stories
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More Milan Color Coming
Back In Business!
Streetcar No. 162 heads inbound on Ulloa Street on the L-line, having just turned from 15th Avenue. West Portal is two blocks away. Fifty years ago, it would have headed into the Twin Peaks Tunnel to reach Market Street. This time, it was headed for the K-line as part of its inaugural charter on April 19. Kevin Sheridan photo.
‘Take Me Out’…At Our Museum
To every American today, ‘car’ means automobile. Once, though, ‘car’ meant streetcar to most urban Americans. For almost a century in San Francisco, the ‘family car’ ran on rails, not just for commuting or shopping, but for any trip that stretched farther than a few blocks from home. Riding the rails around town wasn’t just a way to get there; it was an enjoyable escape.
1980s Trolley Festivals paved way for F-Market streetcar line
If you’re of a certain age, it was like a Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland movie. Or, if you’re of a certain younger age, it was like Disney’s High School Musical. You know, “Let’s get the kids together and put on a show”—the innocence of youth not understanding the challenges that could get in the way, but cheerfully conquering those that did.
Muni Workers Pose with No. 162
Muni craftworkers pose in front of their handiwork, restored car No. 162, at Geneva Division on May 7, 2008. They were honored at a lunch sponsored by Muni and Market Street Railway, and attended by Muni Executive Director Nat Ford and MTA Board member Cam Beach, along with other Muni officials, MSR President Rick Laubscher, and Directors Steve Ferrario and George Pleasant. The restoration process was lengthy, given other demands faced by the crew, most of whom focus their attention on LRV work. However, when the opportunity arose to make the car a centerpiece of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) rail conference in San Francisco in early June, work rapidly accelerated with world-class results.
A Streetcar Named ‘Desire’ Returns to the F-Line
Loss of a Friend
A stalwart supporter of historic transit has passed away. Enid Lim, a dedicated advocate for San Franciscans of Chinese ancestry, died February 27, 2008 at the age of 76. Among many other accomplishments, she served on the city’s Landmarks Preservation Board and as the first vice president of the Municipal Transportation Agency board of directors (which governs Muni) from 2000 to 2003. Ms. Lim, also an advocate for disabled rights, was a strong supporter of Muni’s historic streetcar operations, delighting in riding the F-line. She will be much missed by her friends throughout San Francisco.
Vintage Streetcar Artist
Carole Gilbert with 1940s-era PCCs at Muni’s Geneva Division. Telstar Logistics photo.
New Volunteers Needed!
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