E-Embarcadero Demonstration Shows Promise

August 31, 2008August 9, 2014 Rick Laubscher News

Today’s E-Embarcadero line demonstration service from Pier 39 to Caltrain showed, on the one hand, how smoothly the vintage streetcars can share the tracks with N-Judah and T-Third Street light rail vehicles. On the other hand, it demonstrated several areas — none surprising — that need to be addressed before regular service can begin. Identifying problems was a key reason that Muni COO Ken McDonald wanted the demo service, which will be repeated from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 14th.

Fast Pass Project Update

August 26, 2008August 9, 2014 David Dugan News

Several years ago, artist John Kuzich began collecting Muni Fast Passes for an art project that is nearing completion. He’s created a number of small collages and completed three out of a set of four large panels using the passes. Along with flyers posted around town and word of mouth, Market Street Railway helped John connect with riders and their accumulated passes through our website, and our member newsletter, Inside Track. The public response to his appeal for donated passes has been phenomenal.

Streetcar No. 162: Tested Tough!

August 25, 2008October 15, 2014 David Dugan History Spotlight, Posts with Photos

During the reacquisition and restoration of 1914 Muni streetcar No. 162, we sought out vintage photos of the car, almost all of which we’ve featured in our member newsletter Inside Track already — except these two. Seems that our ‘newest’ vintage streetcar has never been afraid to get into a scrape … literally.

Photo of the Week: August 20, 2008

August 20, 2008August 9, 2014 David Dugan Posts with Photos

Our Photo of the Week is a great shot of F-line PCC No. 1055 on The Embarcadero, shot from inside car No. 130 on its way to Fisherman’s Wharf. We think this image really captures what a unique and beautiful experience it is to ride along San Francisco’s grand waterfront boulevard on the F-line, and we hope you enjoy it.

Museums In Motion 2009 Calendar

August 18, 2008October 11, 2014 David Dugan News

Market Street Railway’s 2009 Museums In Motion calendar is available for purchase. This 11×16 inch full color calendar features thirteen beautiful photos of Muni’s historic streetcars and cable cars in action on the streets of San Francisco, along with 24 historical black & white images from the city’s rich transit past.

1051 – San Francisco Municipal Railway (1960s)

All of San Francisco’s vintage streetcars have interesting histories, but No. 1051 has been adding to its legacy in recent years.

1052 – Los Angeles Railway

This streetcar is painted to commemorate Los Angeles Railway (LARy). Los Angeles ran PCC streetcars from 1937 to 1963. San Diego got California’s first PCCs, beating LARy by a few weeks, but LARy got bragging rights when Shirley Temple, then America’s biggest child star, unveiled its first PCCs on March 23, 1937. Here’s a link to rare newsreel film of that event.

1053 – Brooklyn, New York

This streetcar is painted to honor Brooklyn, which ran PCC streetcars from 1936 to 1956. Trolleys (as they were called there) were once such a part of the Brooklyn scene that the local baseball club was named the ‘Trolley Dodgers’, later shortened to, well…you know.

1055 – Philadelphia, PA

The ‘City of Brotherly Love’ first ran PCC streetcars in 1938 (Muni No. 1060 wears the original silver paint scheme).

1056 – Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas

This car is painted in tribute to Kansas City, which ran PCC streetcars from 1941 to 1957. Kansas City’s PCCs – 184 in all – were painted to emphasize their modern lines, with a black ‘swoosh’ on the sides to highlight the logo of Kansas City Public Service Company (KCPS), which featured Frederic Remington’s famed sculpture “The Scout” on a red heart.