Did you see it during the Super Bowl? No, not the great plays on the field, the commercial for the upcoming animated film “Monsters Vs. Aliens”? We know the premise — scientists unleash monsters to battle an alien invasion — but what’s fascinating is a, uh, plot vehicle. Specifically, Milan tram No. 1811. Its another example of the growing visibility of the Milan trams as a San Francisco institution. We’ll have a story on that in the next issue of our member newsletter, Inside Track, which will go out to Market Street Railway members in early April. For now, enjoy the movie trailer, and feel free to speculate about what part No. 1811 might play in saving the world.
SFMSR
Formerly ‘Uncategorized’ which is a default term for Stories, and may be left checked even when a post is assigned categories. The Slug is generic & meaningless but it looks better when the public views articles.
Next Stop: Mission Rock
Ballad of the Hyde Street Grip
The O’Farrell, Jones & Hyde line was the last complete cable car route built in San Francisco, opening in 1891. By rule, anytime a new cable car line crossed an existing one, the cable of the new line had to be routed beneath the older line’s cable.That meant that operators gripping the new line had to drop (“let go”) their cable at such crossings. The O’Farrell, Jones & Hyde line had 22 cable drops on a round trip. That’s why this 1901 poem by Gellet Burgess says “You are apt to earn your wages, on the Hyde Street Grip.”
The Market Street Railway Blog
Welcome to the Market Street Railway Blog. This is where we post all new feature stories and news items about the F-line, the cable cars, Muni, and Market Street Railway. We’ll also be sharing links to other historic transit-related sites and stories that might be of interest to MSR members and guests.
Disabled Citizens Help to Maintain Historical Trolleys
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.
Closer to Home
On September 9, Muni streetcar No. 162 made history, moving under its own power on its home system for the first time in 47 years.
Archive: All Posts
