Nostalgia & History > Traction Action: Berkeley, Calif. F-train

A north Berkeley scene from the 1950s of an F-train leaving a private right of way and entering Sutter Street after a run from San Francisco. After a few blocks along Sutter, stopping at Hopkins St., the train would again enter private right of way passing through the Northbrae tunnel and terminating at Solano Avenue.

The aforementioned tunnel has 1910 etched into the portals and that's when Southern Pacific built the railroad and ran electric trains until 1941. After the SP pulled the plug on their Interurban Electric subsidiary, Key System extended their Berkeley F line over the former competitor's rails. Key System rail service ended on April 20, 1958.

When the railroad was dismantled the street was rebuilt into a wide boulevard. That tunnel became a busy roadway and few people today know the reason for its existence. The homes shown in the photo are still there. Only old timers recall the tracks on Sutter Street.

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It's really hard to believe what we once had, and now do not. We need it now more than ever.

Good color! Thanks for posting.

Wonderful photo of a much simpler time.

Ahhh the old neighborhood. I was born too late to witness the Key System first hand, but know all the landmarks. Thanks for the colorful look back.

Mike