June 30, 2020July 3, 2020 Rick Laubscher

Pedal to the metal: “Finding room to run”

June 30, 2020July 3, 2020 Rick Laubscher History Features, History Spotlight, People Histories, People Histories Art Curtis, J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, PCC streetcars, Phelan Loop, West Portal

We all know that old saying, “They don’t make them like THAT anymore”. With the late Art Curtis, that’s the truth. In his 37-year career with Muni, Art solved all kinds of operational problems as Chief Inspector, but as a “young buck” (his term) operator, he created his share of mischief, too. We’ll be sharing a couple of stories here told by Art himself. This one comes from a 2009 issue of our member magazine, Inside Track. (Join us to get this quarterly magazine with its stories of San Francisco transit history as an exclusive member benefit.)

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June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Rick Laubscher

What’s New is Old

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Rick Laubscher Muni News F-Market, J-Church, Jeff Tumlin, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Ocean View, Muni Metro, N-Judah

All Muni rail service has been halted since March with selected replacement by buses. Metro lines are now slated to reopen in mid-August, though no date has yet been set for resumption of historic streetcar and cable car service.

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May 15, 2020January 10, 2022 Rick Laubscher

Streetcars in the Sunset

May 15, 2020January 10, 2022 Rick Laubscher History Spotlight, Neighborhood Histories 7-Haight, L-Taraval, N-Judah, Sunset District, Sunset Tunnel, Twin Peaks Tunnel

When one thinks of San Francisco’s Sunset District, the image of fog, cold salty winds, and sand dunes comes to mind. People have aptly developed their perceptions of this part of San Francisco. While it might be sunny and warm in the Mission District, the Sunset often shivers under a blanket of fog with a biting wind off the ocean and a temperature fifteen degrees lower.

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April 6, 2020April 6, 2020 Rick Laubscher

Status update April 6, 2020

April 6, 2020April 6, 2020 Rick Laubscher Fleet Updates, Muni News Harvey Milk streetcar, L-Taraval, Milan, Muni Covid 19, streetcar training

Muni has announced its most drastic system cutback yet, going into effect the next couple of days. Here is their announcement. It includes a map of the routes that will continue to operate and details on why the service is being further reduced.

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April 11, 2019May 10, 2020 Rick Laubscher

One “L” of a Streetcar Line

April 11, 2019May 10, 2020 Rick Laubscher Features, History Spotlight, Route Histories, SFMSR L-line, L-Taraval

On April 12, 1919, the first L-Taraval streetcar hit the rails, overcoming obstacles to begin a century of service that continues today.

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February 2, 2018February 2, 2022 Rick Laubscher

Tunnel Vision

February 2, 2018February 2, 2022 Rick Laubscher History Spotlight, Muni News, Neighborhood Histories, Route Histories Castro District, Forest Hill, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Ocean View, Twin Peaks Tunnel, West Portal

Though it sits on the western edge of North America, San Francisco had always looked eastward – to its bay, rather than the vast Pacific. Its magnificent protected harbor had driven the City’s economy, and its population, since the Gold Rush of 1849. Residential neighborhoods gradually fanned out from the downtown core in the decades that followed. With the jobs clustered around the waterfront, residential growth followed the early transit lines that connected homes to those jobs.

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