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.
Author: Rick Laubscher
E-Embarcadero Line Service for Sunday Streets
Thanks to an initiative by Market Street Railway, there will be demonstration service on the E-Embarcadero line from Caltrain to Fisherman’s Wharf in conjunction with upcoming city events. Not only that, but rides will be free!
Saturday Mobs on the F-Market & Wharves
Another sordid Saturday morning on the F-line. Eleven a.m., Ferry Building, Wharf-bound. A mob of people waiting as Birmingham 1077 pulls up (see, some of those Newark streetcars DO run!). It’s already packed, but the operator squeezes a few more people in. Then he can’t get the rear doors closed because a passenger is standing on the door-opening treadle and apparently doesn’t understand English (a WHOLE lot of those folks, Europeans, on the line today).
A Banner Day at the Museum
Rick Laubscher photo.
Chron: “Streetcar driver was warned before crash”
New Chronicle story tonight on the paper’s website, SFGate. Excerpt:
Chron: F-line “too popular for own good”
In his column today, Chuck Nevius of the Chronicle has essentially repeated a story the paper’s Carl Nolte wrote a couple of years ago: the F-Market & Wharves line attracts more riders than the streetcars can handle. (This just in…!)
Streetcar Accident on The Embarcadero
Milan tram No. 1807 rear-ended ‘Pacific Electric’ PCC No. 1061 today headed northbound on The Embarcadero right-of-way at Washington Street (just north of the Ferry Building). The Chronicle reports that fourteen people were injured. The Chronicle story is here.
Video of Muni, 1969
If you’re interested in seeing what the old Geneva Carhouse looked like, or how the PCC ‘torpedoes’ ran on the streets during their ‘first life’, check out this video. It starts with some good cable car footage, including the first terminal at Hyde & Beach, different than today’s.