Muni’s Car No. 130 was out on the F-line today for the first time in a couple of years. Inspector Robert Parks ran it through its paces, reporting on our Facebook group that “Frame issues fixed, low voltage power supply, marker and tail lights and VETAG (switch activation system) installed. Runs like always, although I could have done without the intermittent burning toast smell from (what turned out to be) pigeon debris on top of the resistor grids.”
Today was for testing only. After all, a 99-year old streetcar has to stretch and warm up before carrying passengers again! But barring an unexpected surprise, you should be able to ride it soon, very likely on Muni Heritage Weekend, Saturday-Sunday November 2-3.
Important to note, though: this was remedial work done by Karl Johnson’s first-rate maintenance team at Cameron Beach Yard. No. 130, and No. 162, the only two survivors of Muni’s “B-type fleet,” purchased in 1914, celebrate their own centennial next year. They, and several other vintage cars, need full restorations of the kind Car No. 1 received a few years ago. Market Street Railway is currently working closely with SFMTA leadership to move forward with these critical restorations of these irreplaceable pieces of San Francisco history.
