Over the course of a few days last weekend, Muni replaced a large section of streetcar railbed around the intersection of 18th and Church streets near Dolores Park in San Francisco.
The project is part of the J Church Improvement Project, but the vintage streetcars of the F Line will benefit as well, as they too traverse this stretch of rail while traveling to and from their base camp at the Geneva Yard.
Happily, a few amateur infrastructuralists were on hand document the work, and it’s interesting stuff to see. Apart from the photos above, one neighbor also produced a short video of the project, which you can watch here:
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Car No. 351 is a classic American trolley: a 1926 double-end, arch roof steel car from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, of a design very similar to cars once operated by the old Market Street Railway Company.
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A genuine New Orleans “Streetcar Name Desire”
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When the Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) of U.S. street railway executives got together in the early 1930s to design a better streetcar, they wanted to get away from the boxy double-ended streetcars that then ruled the streets, opting instead for a streamlined, single-end design that was more automotive in look. This single-end “PCC” streetcar would require streetcar companies to install loop tracks or switches in the shape of a “Y” to turn the cars around at the ends of lines, but this was considered a fair tradeoff.
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When the Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) of U.S. street railway executives got together in the early 1930s to design a better streetcar, they wanted to get away from the boxy double-ended streetcars that then ruled the streets, opting instead for a streamlined, single-end design that was more automotive in look. This single-end “PCC” streetcar would require streetcar operators to install loop tracks or switches in the shape of a “Y” to turn the cars back at the ends of lines, but this was considered a fair tradeoff.
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During the first weeks of 1915, Pancho Villa proclaimed himself in charge of Mexico. Germany began open submarine warfare in the Atlantic as the Lusitania prepared to sail to England. California’s only active volcano, Mount Lassen, was erupting–spewing ash for hours at a time. And as bad weather pelted San Francisco, workmen toiled ’round-the-clock on the city’s northern shoreline to complete preparations for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). Initially conceived in 1904 to occur upon the completion of the Panama Canal, this event had become a celebration of the rebirth of San Francisco following the devastating Earthquake and Fire of 1906. Millions of dollars went to develop the site and to promote San Francisco as the host city. When San Francisco was selected for the Fair over New Orleans, President William Howard Taft stated, “San Francisco knows how.”
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Editor’s note: On December 3, the San Francisco Examiner took note of Market Street Railway’s car cleaning activities, led by Market Street Railway Director Emeritus and former president Art Michel. The article, reprinted here by permission, highlights our growing outreach to volunteers from other nonprofit groups, and accurately portrays the pride they feel helping keep the F-line cars looking great.
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Our “Improving San Francisco” Pin is a modern version of our namesake’s slogan when the Market Street Railway Company worked on their track in San Francisco. . Read More……
Experience San Francisco’s magic with the Celestial Nights design from the Historic Travel Series. Showcasing a cable car gliding past Chinatown under the city lights, this tribute to a beloved landmark is available on posters, prints, mugs, tote bags, and more. Read More……
