Nostalgia & History > Rails of San Francisco

Note the painted sign read: "Presidio Ave." the original terminal of the California Street cable car until cut back to Van Ness Avenue. This photo shows the line before acquired by the Municipal Railway. The Ferry Building is still there, and newly restored, too. Fosters, at one time a large restaurant chain (part of sign visible in photo), bit the dust ages ago. The buildings behind the care were demolished for the Hyatt Regency hotel. The Cal. Cable is alive and well in 2005.

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The Church street car line zig zags behind some homes between 18th and 22nd Streets to avoid a steep grade. Nice views of the Western Addition and downtown are one highlight of this right of way. This car will snake left, then right to 20th St., then thru Dolores Park before hitting the street again at 18th. Fast forward to 2005: same route, just newer rail cars.

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The East Bay Terminal (or now called the Transbay Terminal) was the end of the line for Muni streetcars in San Francisco for years. Dash sign on the "L" car lists the "Auditorium, Ocean Beach, Swimming Pool and Zoo via Twin Peaks Tunnel" among the places served. That pool at the Zoo, was no ordinary swimming hole. It was the world's largest and filled with salt water. Muni cars were painted cream and green.

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The cable car turntable at Powell & Market has been photographed by every tourist since the invention of cameras. What has changed over the years are (1) Powell is not open to motor vehicle traffic on that block anymore; and (2) cars are shoved off the turntable before passengers board. At one time, it was a free for all and you'd merely jump aboard and ride.

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I remember the lunch counter in the basement of Wolworths there.

I think back in the day even passengers were allowed to help turn the cars, but not no more...


stash Wrote:
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> shoved off the turntable before passengers board.
> At one time, it was a free for all and you'd
> merely jump aboard and ride.

Partially seen at the left of the photo is Moar's cafeteria, another fine place to eat. As a young kid it was easy for us to get the best spot on the cable car - standing on the footboard up front. - Tony J.

TonyJ Wrote:
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> Partially seen at the left of the photo is Moar's
> cafeteria, another fine place to eat. As a young
> kid it was easy for us to get the best spot on the
> cable car - standing on the footboard up front. -
> Tony J.

Moar's was also famous as the site of the multi-story Benny Bufano mosaic mural. I wonder where that one went?

heck yes the passengers pushed otherwise it didn't get turned. Useta board and exit on the run, anyplace you could get one hand and one foot on was enough.

Regarding the "J" line private right-of-way photo; you can still see a 1914 vintage car on this track--Muni 130 goes from the Geneva yard to the "F" line via the "J", but you'll have to be up early to catch the morning pull-out or be lucky enough to see a car change. One car that has a harder time than most is New Orleans 952--it was designed for a town that's flat as a table and those SF hills put its two motors to the test.

Oh my, what wonderful memories.

Jim
Hatboro, PA