Market Street Railwaytag:www.streetcar.org,2011-02-21://22013-05-19T06:40:23ZMovable Type Pro 4.38MarketStreetRailwayhttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Live.comMaya Angelou and Market Street Railwaytag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.8022013-05-19T06:22:09Z2013-05-19T06:40:23ZSomething about the poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou escaped most people’s attention, until now. She was once employed by our namesake, Market Street Railway Company, Muni’s old competitor, as a streetcar conductor. The first black female conductor in San...
<p>Something about the poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou escaped most people’s attention, until now. She was once employed by our namesake, Market Street Railway Company, Muni’s old competitor, as a streetcar conductor. The first black female conductor in San Francisco history, in fact. </p>
<p>She said this decades ago in “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” when she describes in some detail standing on the back platform of a 7-Haight streetcar collecting nickels from boarding passengers. But now it has become national news, because she talked about it with Oprah. Here’s a clip from that interview, courtesy Harpo Productions.</p>
<p><iframe width="540" height="304" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.oprah.com/common/omplayer_embed.html?article_id=43187"></iframe><p class='shareTitle'>How Dr. Maya Angelou Became San Francisco’s First Black Streetcar Conductor</p><p class='shareDescription'>Dr. Maya Angelou says the love of her mother, Vivian Baxter, encouraged her to live a life full of pizzazz. It was also that love that helped Dr. Angelou to become the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco at age 16. “I loved the uniforms,” Dr. Angelou says. “So I said, ‘That’s a job I want.’” When she went to get an application, Dr. Angelou says, the staff refused to give her one. Find out how her mother encouraged her to persevere. Then, see how Vivian made sure her daughter was safe at work during her early-morning shifts.</p></p>
<p>We provided some photos of Market Street Railway streetcars on the 7-line to the program. They added photos of female transit workers from other systems, not San Francisco’s. The program promotes “How Dr. Angelou Became San Francisco’s First Black Streetcar Conductor.” Hiring records no longer exist, but anecdotal evidence we’ve gathered over the years indicate several African-American found employment on the streetcars a little earlier than Dr. Angelou. That, however, in no way diminishes her incredible story of perseverance and determination in overcoming both racism and sexism to land the job she wanted — when she was just 16 years old.</p>
<p>The video clip is well worth watching.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/maya-angelou-and-market-street-railway.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/QaomUdONpl8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/maya-angelou-and-market-street-railway.htmlSneak Peek at a Special Streetcartag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.8012013-05-14T17:39:41Z2013-05-14T18:10:29Z This image from a computer screen just popped up on our Facebook group (search for Market Street Railway and join!). It shows the last of the 16 PCC streetcars to be renovated by Brookville Equipment Company at its Pennsylvania...
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<p>This image from a computer screen just popped up on our Facebook group (search for Market Street Railway and join!). It shows the last of the 16 PCC streetcars to be renovated by Brookville Equipment Company at its Pennsylvania facility, under a Muni contract. It’s sitting outside, and looks complete.</p>
<p>It’s a very special streetcar for our organization, in large part because of<a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1011"> the tribute livery it wears</a>.</p>
<p>Could this mean that this long-delayed streetcar is finally about to head home? We’ll run a a celebratory post when it gets here, documenting its amazing resurrection and explaining why it and its brothers are essential for permanent start up of the E-Embarcadero line. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/sneak-peek-at-a-special-streetcar.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/G77JSDJ-7Qw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/sneak-peek-at-a-special-streetcar.htmlSign Up for a Sail...Or Other Excursionstag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.8002013-05-02T05:16:11Z2013-05-02T18:09:56Z With warm weather bathing the Bay Area, thoughts turn to a trip on the open-top Blackpool (England) boat tram. And what if it came with a guided tour of San Francisco history? That’s just one of the special excursions...
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<p>With warm weather bathing the Bay Area, thoughts turn to a trip on the open-top Blackpool (England) boat tram. And what if it came with a guided tour of San Francisco history?</p>
<p>That’s just one of the special excursions we’ve arranged for 2013. <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/store/trolleytour.html">Read all about them here</a>, and sign up now to assure your spot. NOTE: When you sign up, PLEASE print your PayPal confirmation page and bring it with you. We will have a list, but bringing a confirmation page ensures no glitches. You’ll receive a souvenir ticket when you check in.</p>
<p>Oh, and while we’re talking about the boat tram, check out this new “I go topless” t-shirt on <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/store/apparel.html">this page in our store</a>!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/sign-up-for-a-sailor-other-excursions.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/P9U7uEdranU" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/05/sign-up-for-a-sailor-other-excursions.htmlMilestone for Fort Mason Streetcar Extensiontag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7972013-03-22T19:36:59Z2013-03-22T19:54:50ZThe National Park Service and cooperating agency project partners, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Federal Transit Administration have announced the approved Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Extension of Muni’s...
<p>The National Park Service and cooperating agency project partners, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and the Federal Transit Administration <a href="http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=15547">have announced the approved Record of Decision (ROD)</a> for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Extension of Muni’s historic streetcar service to Fort Mason Center. The document itself can be downloaded through the link above.</p>
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<p>Photomontage showing a PCC streetcar emerging from the historic Fort Mason railroad tunnel at the foot of Van Ness Avenue. </p>
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<p>This is an important milestone, as it marks the completion of the environmental process for the extension, allowing it to seek funding for design and then construction. Market Street Railway continues to be active in suggesting potential sources of funding for this important project, working in collaboration with stakeholders along the northeastern waterfront.</p>
<p>More details on the EIS process, including maps and drawings, are <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2011/03/fort-mason-streetcar-a-step-closer.html">here</a>. We will keep you up to date here on future developments.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/milestone-for-fort-mason-streetcar-extension.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/iihheEaZSiw" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/milestone-for-fort-mason-streetcar-extension.html"Streetcar Artist" Retirestag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7962013-03-18T16:03:17Z2013-03-18T16:16:18Z Carole Gilbert on March 14, 2013, her last day on the job, with historic maintenance superintendent Karl Johnson at Cameron Beach Division. With the same modesty that she brought to her artistry at Muni for many years, Carole Gilbert...
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<p>Carole Gilbert on March 14, 2013, her last day on the job, with historic maintenance superintendent Karl Johnson at Cameron Beach Division.</p>
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<p>With the same modesty that she brought to her artistry at Muni for many years, Carole Gilbert stepped away from her streetcars last Friday, retiring quietly to enjoy life. Never one to draw attention to herself, Carole told few people of her plans. She leaves a great legacy in Muni’s beautifully maintained <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars">vintage streetcar fleet</a>, which she and her team of dedicated painters kept looking great — and authentic.</p>
<p>While she didn’t seek recognition, our board member Todd Lappin managed to get her to talk about her work a few years ago <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2008/07/vintage-streetcar-artist.html">here on our website</a>. Definitely worth a read.</p>
<p>Carole retires with our best wishes and great respect for her dedication to her craft and her attention to detail.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/streetcar-artist-retires.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/eOGuOjZ5h0M" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/streetcar-artist-retires.htmlShuttle Diplomacy?tag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7952013-03-14T00:03:59Z2013-03-14T00:42:21ZWe’ve learned that Muni is going to greatly increase the number of F-line shuttle runs in the coming months. These are vintage streetcars that run on just the waterfront portion of the F-line, between the Ferry Building (and our museum!)...Rick Laubscher
<p>We’ve learned that Muni is going to greatly increase the number of F-line shuttle runs in the coming months. These are vintage streetcars that run on just the waterfront portion of the F-line, between the Ferry Building (and <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/museum/">our museum!</a>) and Fisherman’s Wharf.</p>
<p>There are three shuttle runs most days now, usually filled with the oldest streetcars, like Muni’s<a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1"> No. 1</a> and <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/162">162</a>, Melbourne <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/496">No. 496</a>, or, in good weather, the popular <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/228">Blackpool boat tram</a>. But with additional runs, they will have to add other streetcars as well. This week, the newly restored double-end PCCs, Nos. <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1008">1008</a> and <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1009">1009</a> have been seen on the shuttle.</p>
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<p>Newly restored PCC No. 1009, honoring Dallas Railway & Terminal, takes the turn from Steuart onto Mission as part of its shuttle loop, March 13, 2013. Rick Laubscher photo. Click to enlarge.</p>
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<p>The extra service is expected to be needed to accommodate the crowds visiting the newly relocated <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu">Exploratorium science museum</a>, opening its world-class facility on Pier 15 next month. But as is well known at Muni, and by regular users of the F-line on The Embarcadero, the existing shuttle service is spotty at best. </p>
<p>Riding a regular F-line run along Market today, I got into conversation with a veteran F-line operator, who gave me a new perspective on the shuttles. “When they started them up years ago, the crews worked hard at helping the rest of us out,” this operator told me. “They waited at their layover point [on the Embarcadero, just south of Don Chee Way, where the regular F-line cars make the turn onto the waterfront]. If they saw a crowd gathering at the Ferry Building platform, they’d go pick it up. Now, it seems they just want to sit there. They let us go through, already crowded, to try to jam those people on. Then they just follow right behind us, empty.” </p>
<p>The operator noted that some shuttle crews take very long breaks after very short trips, while “I go all the way to Castro and then back to the Wharf and my longest break is seven minutes.”</p>
<p>We know Muni/SFMTA management has periodically tried to cut down on the excessive shuttle layovers. It’s interesting, though, to get the perspective of another operator. This operator doesn’t see it as a management-labor issue, but rather an issue of some workers making it harder on their peers by not making the runs they’re supposed to make.</p>
<p>If Muni’s going to add extra runs along The Embarcadero, we hope they are able to keep them moving better than has been the case all these years. Some diplomatic conversation with the shuttle crews might be of help. Many are excellent operators who may have just fallen into bad habits. Alternatively, firm, enforced scheduling may be needed.</p>
<p>Otherwise, an expanded Embarcadero shuttle service could resemble the California Cable Car line, which sometimes has ONE car actually carrying people along the street while FIVE crews relax at the eastern terminal near Market Street. </p>
<p>But that’s another story.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/shuttle-diplomacy.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/Iy9iT_Mbe5Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/shuttle-diplomacy.htmlSunday Street(car)s!tag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7942013-03-11T07:14:01Z2013-03-11T07:27:20ZSan Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) mounted the latest Sunday Streets celebration March 10, 2013, along The Embarcadero. We thought what better way to see it than from Muni’s 1934 boat tram from Blackpool, England. Come along for the ride...
<p>San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) mounted the latest Sunday Streets celebration March 10, 2013, along The Embarcadero. We thought what better way to see it than from Muni’s 1934 boat tram from Blackpool, England. Come along for the ride in this video we put together!</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/sunday-streetcars.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/s10j6GzuAGo" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/sunday-streetcars.htmlPhoto of the Moment: Less Darkness, More Daylighttag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7932013-03-09T18:14:59Z2013-03-09T18:25:23Z As this great Jeremy Whiteman photo demonstrates, some of the F-line streetcars on the vintage runs (scheduled for daylight hours) have been headed back to Cameron Beach Yard after dark these winter days. But with spring nigh, and Daylight...
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<p>As this great Jeremy Whiteman photo demonstrates, some of the F-line streetcars on the vintage runs (scheduled for daylight hours) have been headed back to Cameron Beach Yard after dark these winter days. But with spring nigh, and Daylight Savings Time imminent (tonight, as this is written), the vintage streetcars like 1928 Melbourne No. 496 will be wrapping up their day’s work in daylight.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/photo-of-the-moment-less-darkness-more-daylight.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/7xDDowuwVPc" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/photo-of-the-moment-less-darkness-more-daylight.htmlVisit Us This Weekend at the SF History Expotag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7922013-03-01T16:55:53Z2013-03-01T17:16:38ZMarket Street Railway and the San Francisco Railway Museum invite you to visit us at the third annual San Francisco History Expo. This great event takes place Saturday, March 2 from 10-5 and Sunday, March 5, from 10-4, at the...
<p>Market Street Railway and the San Francisco Railway Museum invite you to visit us at the third annual San Francisco History Expo. This great event takes place Saturday, March 2 from 10-5 and Sunday, March 5, from 10-4, at the historic Old U.S. Mint at Fifth and Mission Streets, worth a visit by itself. </p>
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<p>Our display of San Francisco transit artifacts at the first History Expo in 2011.</p>
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<p>This amazing event, sponsored by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, brings together more than 40 local and neighborhood history groups in a mini-museum of San Francisco history. It’s a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about the city’s varied history through displays, presentations, photos, videos, fine art, music, children’s activities and historical re-enactments.</p>
<p>This year’s event is bigger and better than ever, with the added excitement of a raffle. Tickets will be available for purchase at the entrance and throughout the halls, and each exhibitor will offer an item of their choosing for raffle. Buying extra tickets will increase your chance to win that special something, and will help offset the expenses of holding the event.</p>
<p>Over the last two years more than 7,000 people have attended this one weekend only event, and viewed exhibits from the SF Museum Historical Society, Guardians of the City, Market Street Railway, LGBT Historical Society, SF History Association, Chinese Historical Society, The Western Neighborhoods Project, and many others. This year promises to be the best yet. Visit our booth and see transit artifacts and interesting items from our archives.museum</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/visit-us-this-weekend-at-the-sf-history-expo.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/Zs4NBK7LTKA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/03/visit-us-this-weekend-at-the-sf-history-expo.htmlPhoto of the Moment: Down Under the Bridgetag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7912013-02-23T23:59:45Z2013-02-24T00:13:50Z Copyright 2013, Jeremy Whiteman. Muni’s shops continue to make gradual progress on 1946 Melbourne tram No. 916, a 2009 gift to the City of San Francisco from the Australian State of Victoria. The retired tram needed extensive modifications to...
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<p>Copyright 2013, Jeremy Whiteman.</p>
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<p>Muni’s shops continue to make gradual progress on 1946 Melbourne tram No. 916, a 2009 gift to the City of San Francisco from the Australian State of Victoria. The retired tram needed extensive modifications to meet Muni and California operating standards, and to operate on the opposite side of the road from its native city. (Door controls, for example, had to be reversed.) </p>
<p>Market Street Railway has assisted in procuring needed parts. With staffing very tight, the work has moved forward gradually as time was available. On February 19, though, the tram emerged from the electronics shop at Green Division and motored across town under its own power, following the F-line, the future E-line, and finally the T-line (here crossing the historic Fourth Street Bridge) to Metro East at Illinois and 25th Street, where its wheels are being reprofiled to Muni specifications. No firm date for it to join the fleet, but it is coming along nicely.</p>
<p>Your support, as a <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/support/join.html">member</a> or <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/support/donate.html">donor</a>, makes it possible for us to help Muni acquire and restore historic streetcars and trams like this one. Thanks.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/photo-of-the-moment-down-under-the-bridge.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/jMBgEiRGxSI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/photo-of-the-moment-down-under-the-bridge.htmlStill Time to Gain Fame as a Calendar Contributortag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7902013-02-19T00:35:59Z2013-02-19T00:59:07Z We’re still taking photo submissions for our 2014 calendar, and especially encourage new contributors. Several great photographers, like Jason Brickman, whose work is shown above, have begun contributing in the past few years. This high-visibility product is a great...
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<p>We’re still taking photo submissions for our 2014 calendar, and especially encourage new contributors. Several great photographers, like Jason Brickman, whose work is shown above, have begun contributing in the past few years. </p>
<p>This high-visibility product is a great opportunity for both pros and amateurs to get published, while supporting our mission of preserving historic transit in San Francisco. All the proceeds from calendar sales go to support Market Street Railway programs.</p>
<p>You can learn all about submitting photos to our calendar on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/marketstreetrailway/">our Flickr group</a>. We now take submissions on a year-round basis, so feel free to visit the group and submit any time.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/still-time-to-gain-fame-as-a-calendar-contributor.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/loRrrpKxSjQ" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/still-time-to-gain-fame-as-a-calendar-contributor.htmlAnother Vision for the E-linetag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7892013-02-08T17:03:23Z2013-02-19T00:46:48ZAn excellent article by Aaron Bialick in Streetsblog San Francisco discusses the possible demise of the northern end of Interstate 280 as a means to help facilitate — and pay for — undergrounding of High Speed Rail and Caltrain to...
<p>An <a href="http://sf.streetsblog.org/2013/02/07/the-case-for-removing-the-280-freeway/#more-294264">excellent article by Aaron Bialick</a> in Streetsblog San Francisco discusses the possible demise of the northern end of Interstate 280 as a means to help facilitate — and pay for — undergrounding of High Speed Rail and Caltrain to reach Downtown. A version of this plan has been <a href="http://sf.streetsblog.org/2013/01/11/mayors-transpo-chief-lets-be-san-francisco-and-take-down-the-freeway/">mooted by the Mayor’s Office</a>.</p>
<p>The article includes a link to a<a href="http://sf.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/280_Presentation_v2.pdf"> fascinating and very thoughtful study </a>by Ben Caldwell, studying for his Master’s at UC Berkeley’s School of Urban Design. Caldwell goes beyond the “just tear it down” mentality to analyze how to knit the urban fabric of that part of the city back together. An important part of his vision is an extended E-Embarcadero streetcar line, which Market Street Railway has been <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2010/08/pier-70-development-streetcars-included.html">advocating for ten years</a>.</p>
<p>Caldwell understands that the center of residential and job gravity in San Francisco is moving south and east toward the Central Waterfront. He, like us, advocates extending the E-line (slated for full-time operation starting mid-2014) from its first-phase terminal at the Caltrain depot south on the T-line tracks to 18th or 20th Street and the Pier 70 area. But Caldwell goes further, advocating that the E then loop through the exciting developments by <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Plan-to-bring-Pier-70-back-to-life-4006489.php">Orton</a> and <a href="http://www.pier70sf.com/">Forest City</a> at Pier 70 and emerge on 22nd Street, then run west to the Caltrain 22nd Street station, which would be upgraded into a major transit hub once the 280 freeway above it were removed.</p>
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<p>Detail from Ben Caldwell’s presentation on removing I-280, showing E-line extension around Pier 70 and onward to the 22nd Street Caltrain station. Click to enlarge.</p>
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<p>Caldwell goes even further, with a “long-term” proposal for an extension along 24th Street to Church, including a tunnel under Potrero Hill, to create what he calls the “C-Circle” line surrounding the vibrant growth areas from the Mission to Mission Bay. </p>
<p>Okay, that C-line part might seem a bit breathless, or at least ahead of its time, but remember the admonition of the great urban planner Daniel Hudson Burnham: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will themselves not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die.”</p>
<p>We like the way Ben Caldwell thinks big. It’s certainly worth talking about. A couple of caveats, though. Every media mention of a potential teardown of even the northernmost tip of I-280 (from Mariposa to King Street) has generated a firestorm of vitriol among commenters. This presages a long and divisive process. And time is not the friend of this project, since Caltrain backers want electrification of the line — necessary for use by high speed rail trains as well — to go forward in the next few years. That may well conflict with any 280 removal. Stay tuned.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, we invite you to join our movement to extend the forthcoming E-Embarcadero historic streetcar line both <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2011/01/pier-70-even-more-reason-to-take-the-e-l.html">south to Pier 70</a>, and, at its other end, <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2009/06/reunifying-the-wharf.html">west to Fort Mason</a>. One way to help is to offer comments to SFMTA’s Transit Effectiveness Plan, which only envisions the E-line from Caltrain to the current F-line terminal at Fisherman’s Wharf. You can see the environmental documents for the TEP <a href="http://www.sf-planning.org/index.aspx?page=2970">here</a>, and offer comments until February 22 by email <a href="mailto:debra.dwyer@sfgov.org">here</a>. If you support extending the E-line to serve the growing Central Waterfront and the National Park attractions of Aquatic Park and Fort Mason, it’s worth your time to say so now.</p>
<p>By the way our next “Inside Track” newsletter, out late this month, will feature our comprehensive vision for the E-line. Our newsletter is a key benefit of being a Market Street Railway member, and your <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/support/join.html">membership</a> is what enables us to advocate for the historic streetcars and cable cars. We hope you’ll join, or, if you’re already a member, send this article to your friends.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/another-vision-for-the-e-line.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/3-3ZI6WBb6o" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/02/another-vision-for-the-e-line.htmlCan We Extend the Jinx?tag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7882013-02-01T05:00:22Z2013-02-01T05:53:05ZWhen the Giants got into the World Series last fall against the Detroit Tigers, we ran a story about F-line PCC No. 1079, painted in tribute to Detroit, and noted that the Tigers had failed to win a world series...
<p>When the Giants got into the World Series last fall against the Detroit Tigers, we ran a story about F-line PCC No. 1079, painted in tribute to Detroit, and noted that the Tigers <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2012/10/welcome-detroit-now-please-lose.html">had failed to win a world series during the Motor City’s PCC era</a>. Would the specter of a Detroit PCC in Giantstown doom the Tigers? We all know how that turned out — a sweep for our team!</p>
<p>Now, the 49ers are in the Super Bowl against the Ravens of Baltimore, another ex-PCC city (from 1936 to 1963), honored in the F-line fleet by <a href="www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1063/">No. 1063</a>. Could the PCC jinx recur?</p>
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<p>Muni PCC No. 1063, painted to honor Baltimore. Bill Storage photo.</p>
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<p>It’s not so simple this time. A Baltimore NFL team DID win the NFL Championship during that city’s PCC era — twice, in 1958 (a legendary overtime win over the New York Giants) and 1959 (beating the Giants again). </p>
<p>But wait. That winning Baltimore NFL team wasn’t the Ravens; it was their predecessor, the Colts, who now play in Indianapolis (which never had PCCs, by the way). The Ravens, as football fans know, played in Cleveland as the Browns during that city’s PCC era. Muni has a PCC painted for Cleveland in its fleet, too (<a href="http://www.streetcar.org/streetcars/1075/">No. 1075</a>). And yes, the Browns won multiple NFL Championships while PCCs ran there.</p>
<p>So, unless it turns out to be a jinx to simply HAVE a PCC representing our opponent’s city, it looks like the ‘Niners are on their own this Sunday. </p>
<p>Trivia: the last time BOTH cities in an NFL Championship Game were actively operating PCC streetcars was 1955 — Cleveland (still running the Shaker Heights line) and Los Angeles (which retired its double-ended Pacific Electric PCCs that year but was still running its narrow gauge single-enders under the banner of Los Angeles Transit Lines). If the New England Patriots (representing Boston) had beaten the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, it would have happened again this year.</p>
<p>Go ‘Niners!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/can-we-extend-the-jinx.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/ScITsKbA5XE" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/can-we-extend-the-jinx.htmlGetting to the Root of Ittag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7872013-02-01T04:44:39Z2013-02-01T04:59:05ZWe’ve had some questions about the buses serving the F-line during evenings this week. As we learned from MSR member (and Muni employee) Matt Lee via our Facebook group, “DPW [the Department of Public Works] is doing some repair work...
<p>We’ve had some questions about the buses serving the F-line during evenings this week. As we learned from MSR member (and Muni employee) Matt Lee via our Facebook group, “DPW [the Department of Public Works] is doing some repair work to the center median between Castro and Guerrero due to the [palm] tree roots damaging the concrete retaining walls and our track crew is checking to make sure there is no damage to the tracks.”</p>
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<p>Canary Island palms were chosen to beautify the medians installed along with the F-line tracks on upper Market almost 20 years ago because they were already a tradition on nearby Dolores Street and because they are one of the few mature trees that can be transplanted and survive in urban environments. Only trouble is the root system is shallow and can break up surrounding pavement. When there are streetcar tracks in that pavement, it pays to keep a close eye on things, as Muni is doing here.</p>
<p>By the way, Matt also reports that the F-line with be “bustituted” all day Sunday in anticipation of post-Super Bowl activity. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/getting-to-the-root-of-it.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/1N7w3Z1x010" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/getting-to-the-root-of-it.htmlContribute to Our 2014 Calendar!tag:www.streetcar.org,2013://2.7862013-01-26T05:02:47Z2013-01-26T05:49:50Z PCC streetcar No. 1078, honoring San Diego, at Powell and Market. Adolfo Echeverry photo. Click to enlarge. If you’re serious about your photography and you love San Francisco’s historic transit vehicles, we invite you to contribute to our 2014...
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<p>PCC streetcar No. 1078, honoring San Diego, at Powell and Market. Adolfo Echeverry photo. Click to enlarge.</p>
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<p>If you’re serious about your photography and you love San Francisco’s historic transit vehicles, we invite you to contribute to our 2014 calendar. That great shot above is by Adolfo Echeverry, a contributor to our <a href="http://www.streetcar.org/store/calendar.html">2013 calendar</a>. We love shots like this that show off distinctive architecture or street scenes in addition to the streetcar or cable car.</p>
<p>You can learn all about submitting photos to our calendar on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/marketstreetrailway/">our Flickr group</a>. Look forward to seeing new photographers join us for 2014!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/contribute-to-our-2014-calendar.html#comments">Comments on this post »</a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MarketStreetRailway/~4/gVQubwcJazM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.streetcar.org/blog/2013/01/contribute-to-our-2014-calendar.html