U.S. Streetcar Systems

John Smatlak - Railway Preservation Resources

Streetcar Home Page Georgia New York Virginia
Systems List Iowa North Carolina Washington
Arkansas Kentucky Ohio Wisconsin
Arizona Louisiana Oklahoma Canada
California Massachusetts Oregon Australian Cars
Colorado Michigan Pennsylvania Replica Cars
Delaware Minnesota Tennessee
Florida Nebraska Texas Latest Updates

 

California Streetcar Systems


San Francisco

 

San Francisco Muni "F" Line
Began Operation: 1995
Miles of Line: 5.8 
Stations:  numerous street stops
Org: transit agency + non-profit 
Schedule: daily
- John Smatlak photo -

Operated as part of the city's municipal transit system, San Francisco Municipal Railway, the  "F" line provides a direct rail link between Downtown and the Fisherman's Wharf area. The line operates from Market and Castro, down the surface tracks on Market St., and along the northern waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf at Jones and Beach Streets (near the terminus of the Powell-Hyde cable car line). The "F" line  has the highest ridership of any U.S. streetcar line, with 25,000 daily riders by 2007 (well over 8 million riders a year). Muni is in the process of completing additional cars to increase capacity on the "F" Line and expand service with the creation of the new "E"-Embarcadero Line. 

The "F" Line is public transportation with a definite historic flavor; base service is provided with 17 refurbished PCC cars and 10 'Peter Witt'-type cars imported from Milan, with a variety of other historic cars from around the world filling in where needed. Each of the PCC cars is painted in a different "vintage" color scheme, representing classic paint schemes from cities around the country. It should also be noted that while operating to and from the maintenance facility where they are kept, the "F" line streetcars also share tracks with modern streetcars. The new "E" Line service will also feature old and new cars sharing the same tracks. 

Serving in a "friends of the streetcar" support role is the volunteer Market Street Railway, providing assistance with historic car acquisition, restoration, interpretation and serving an important general advocacy role. Through their cooperative arrangement with the Muni, the MSR has a small office and work area at Muni's Duboce Yard on Market Street, where volunteers take on a variety of projects. In 2007, the MSR also opened the San Francisco Railway Museum in a storefront at the foot of Market St.

There's nothing quite like riding one of Muni's historic cars down Market St. Especially during rush hour when the street is packed with traffic and the sidewalks crowded with humanity. The buildings at the Embarcadero end of the line tower over the scene, creating a canyon below for the the artery that is Market Street. It's a once commonplace scene that was repeated daily in every big city in the United States- streetcars faithfully moving the masses through the crowded urban center. And with the public's overwhelming response to the new service, its a scene that will be repeated daily for many years to come!


"F" Line- Market Street

"F" Line streetcars operate along the length of Market Street, a total of three miles from the Castro Street terminal to the Embarcadero. Market Street is one of the country's most famous "streetcar thoroughfares", and was equipped with four tracks from the late 'Teens into the 1950's. Following completion of the BART heavy rail subway and the streetcar subway above the BART tracks, surface operation of streetcars on Market was scheduled to end altogether in 1982. However, the start of the San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival the following year changed that. The Trolley Festival had been created to provide an interim replacement for the cable car system that was then being rebuilt. The festivals were such a success, however, that they continued even after the cable car system returned to operation. Regular "F" Line historic streetcar service on Market began  in 1995. 

SF Aug07 1007 Market sm.jpg (157310 bytes) SF Aug07 1055 market sm.jpg (158726 bytes) SF Jun07 1051 Market sm.jpg (191995 bytes) SF 130 and trolleybus sm.JPG (182662 bytes)

PCC and trolley bus on Market St. 

 PCC bound for the Castro district

Market Street downtown

Car 130 and a trolley coach take the turn at the foot of Market St. 

SF_curve.JPG (55553 bytes) SF_Market3.JPG (64426 bytes) SF Jun07 952 J line sm.jpg (171390 bytes) SF Aug07 1856 boarding zoom sm.jpg (158292 bytes)

PCC takes the curve at the foot of Market St. 

 Morning scene on Market 

952 on the "J" Line, used daily to access the line's maintenance base.

F Line cars frequently carry capacity crowds

SF0207 pcc lrv sm.jpg (128961 bytes) SF June08 Milan car on Market sm.jpg (163907 bytes) Muni 1051 Market night sm.jpg (141418 bytes) SF Jun08 Market Powell sm.jpg (191284 bytes)
Muni operates both historic and modern streetcars side by side. Milan car on Market Street Nighttime PCC trip on Market Passing the Powell Street cable car terminus.

"F" Line- Embarcadero

The long-awaited extension of San Francisco's "F" historic streetcar line opened on March 4, 2000, combining the existing service on Market St. with an additional 2.8 miles of new trackage along the waterfront Embarcadero. Prior to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the Embarcadero had been covered with a freeway. Instead of rebuilding the heavily damaged freeway after the earthquake, the City instead re-visioned the area and created a grand waterfront boulevard, with accommodation for streetcar service in the median.

SF Jun07 1078 night sm.jpg (116837 bytes) SF 130 at the Ferry Terminal sm.JPG (165541 bytes) Milan 1859 Ferry Terminal sm.JPG (124392 bytes) SF June08 Milan 1815 turning sm.jpg (138927 bytes)
Nighttime stop at the Ferry Terminal

Car 130 in front of the Ferry Terminal Building

A Milan car turns back toward Market.

A Milan car turns onto the Embarcadero.

 
SF Market St junction sm.JPG (164548 bytes) SF 1859 turns onto Embarcadero sm.JPG (152593 bytes) SF June08 Torpedos on Market sm.jpg (177459 bytes) SF Embarcadero telephoto sm.JPG (197400 bytes)

A PCC car turning off the Embarcadero, while a shuttle car waits in the background.

The junction is a remarkably busy place, not only streetcars but plenty of auto traffic.

Two of Muni's double-ended PCC cars pass near the Embarcadero Plaza station.

The line is double  track, with a single track loop arrangement on separate streets at the Wharf end.

 
SF 1010 Embarcadero scene sm.JPG (142515 bytes) SF 1010 on Embarcadero sm.JPG (197672 bytes) SF Embarcadero sidewalk sm.JPG (124444 bytes) SF Embarcadero close headway sm.JPG (145578 bytes)

Much of the trackway along the Embarcadero is lined with paving blocks that discourage pedestrians from walking on the tracks, but permit operation of buses when necessary. Much of the route is also lined with palm trees, creating a dramatic visual corridor. The photo at right illustrates one of the mid-block pedestrian crossings.

The paralleling sidewalk is quite wide, providing further incentive for pedestrians to stay off the trackway

Service is provided on very close headways throughout the day.

 
SF 1895 on Embarcadero sm.JPG (188569 bytes) SF Embarcadero left turn 1 sm.JPG (131849 bytes) SF Embarcadero left turn 2 sm.JPG (113689 bytes) SF Embarcadero no left turn sm.JPG (147653 bytes)

Signalized left turn pockets are provided at all cross streets- a necessity given the traffic volume.

The left turn phase in process.

Left turn phase ended. Note that the truck has stopped beyond the curbside signal

Redundant signals across the street reinforce the no left turn phase. Note the "streetcar coming" illuminated sign.

 
SF Embarcadero Bay sm.JPG (138503 bytes) SF Green and Embarcadero station sm.JPG (116971 bytes) SF Embarcadero bus sm.JPG (152034 bytes) SF Embarcadero mid sm.JPG (137848 bytes)

Station stops are simple affairs. A shelter is provided, along with an ADA access ramp.

Buses fill in when there are not enough streetcars to carry the load.

The Embarcadero is graced with a number of restored historic buildings.

SF0807 Pier 39 PCC sm.jpg (175578 bytes) SF0807 Pier 39 Harbor sm.jpg (119352 bytes) SF 1057 boarding via ramp sm.JPG (137557 bytes) SF Pier 39 short turn loop sm.JPG (133919 bytes)

 The route changes to a one-way loop as it reaches Pier 39.Outbound cars use Jefferson St. The tracks are in a shared right lane, except for this brief section of exclusive lane.

The operator has deployed the bridge plate between the hi-block platform and the car to assist two elderly passengers.

A short-turn loop has been built adjacent to Pier 39 to allow cars to turn back early if needed.

 
SF 1007 Pier 39 sm.JPG (158401 bytes) SF Pier 39 shared lane sm.JPG (174950 bytes) SF 1010 Alcatraz sm.JPG (133723 bytes) SF car 1 Fishermans Wharf sm.JPG (143455 bytes)

Leaving Pier 39- note the taxi encroaching on the streetcar.

Leaving Pier 39 on Jefferson. Note the shared traffic lane.

Alcatraz in the background. Note the median to prevent last- second right turns in front of the streetcar.

Car 1 on Jefferson. The ADA access ramps in the wharf area are more ornate than on other parts of the line.

 
SF traffic at wharf sm.JPG (155753 bytes) SF traffic jam at wharf sm.JPG (126522 bytes) SF Fishermans Wharf terminal sm.JPG (146653 bytes) SF Boat Fishermans Wharf sm2.jpg (130646 bytes)

Traffic can get quite heavy in the Fisherman's Wharf area.

These two automobiles have illegally pulled in front of the streetcar in order to make right turns.

The Fisherman's Wharf terminal at Jones St. is a simple affair.

The Blackpool Boat Car at the Wharf

SF 1010 on return loop.jpg (138174 bytes) SF Wharf ornamental bracket sm.JPG (52693 bytes) Milan car boarding sm.JPG (133187 bytes) SF0208 1059 fishermans wharf sign sm.jpg (126654 bytes)

Inbound along Beach St. Note the ornamental additions to the trolley wire bracket arms.

Closeup of the ornamental addition to the trolley wire support arms.

A Milan car boarding on Beach St.

Passing Fisherman's Wharf
 
SF car 1 at Mission loop track sm.JPG (136453 bytes) SF car 1 looping on Mission sm.JPG (159358 bytes) SF car 1 shuttle at Market sm.JPG (141877 bytes) SF Car 1 on Beach sm.JPG (134380 bytes)

Cars 1 and 130 are among the oldest in the fleet, and are typically used only along the Embarcadero, shuttling between Market St. and Fisherman's Wharf. The photos illustrate portions of the turning loop utilized at the Market St. end.

Historic Car No. 1 inbound on Beach. 

 

John Smatlak photos 


"E" Line- Embarcadero

The southern portion of the Embarcadero was rebuilt with a connection to the Muni Metro Subway, and currently hosts modern streetcars operating to the Caltrain commuter rail station, a new ballpark, and the new Third Street "T" Line. Plans call for extension of historic streetcar service to the ballpark / Caltrain terminus, pending funding and the availability of additional historic cars. Click here for more information on the "E" Line.

SF LRT tunnel Embarcadero sm.JPG (123991 bytes) SF0207 PCC bridge scene 1 sm.jpg (147084 bytes) SF0207 PCC Caltrain scene 3 sm.jpg (139815 bytes) SF0207 PCC Caltrain scene 4 sm.jpg (156799 bytes)

A few blocks south of Market, the Muni Metro subway emerges onto the Embarcadero.

This informal "E" Line "preview" took place in 2007. Muni hopes to extend historic car operation on the Embarcadero south to the Caltrain commuter rail station and the ballpark. Separate low-level boarding platforms for the historic cars have already been installed.

SF0207 PCC Caltrain scene 8 sm.jpg (170050 bytes) SF0207 PCC Caltrain scene 2 sm.jpg (153733 bytes) SF0207 PCC Caltrain scene sm.jpg (142036 bytes) SF Jun07 T line king sm.jpg (144764 bytes)
Scenes around the Caltrain terminus. The new Third Street "T" Line branches off here.

John Smatlak photos 

 


News & Updates

8/01- Muni is seeking to expand its PCC car fleet, and has already purchased several additional cars. 

SF_E_aerial.jpg (75571 bytes)12/01- Planning for Muni's next historic streetcar line, Route "E- Embarcadero" continues. One proposal receiving consideration is an extension of the route, beyond the current F-Line terminal at Fisherman's Wharf, to serve the Fort Mason area. The Market St. Railway website has an excellent write-up on the proposed service hereSource and photo: Market St. Railway.

11/03 Newark PCCs purchased. The Market St. Railway, which supports Muni's Vintage Trolley operations, has announced that the Muni has reached a deal to purchase 11 PCC-type trolley cars which Newark retired in 2001. Link to Newark PCC story.  Over the last few years, Muni has purchased a number of other PCC cars  from various owners around the country, and in addition to the 11 Newark cars, now owns 31 unrestored PCC cars/carbodies.  Link to story on Muni PCC acquisitions.

At minimum, the Newark cars will require several modifications prior to being used in San Francisco, but their acquisition demonstrates Muni's ongoing commitment to its popular Vintage Trolley operations. 


03/05 Update. In late 2004, Muni awarded a contract to Brookville Equipment to refurbish the eleven PCC cars it acquired from New Jersey Transit . The cars will hopefully begin arriving in late 2005, adding badly needed capacity to the F-Line, which continues to carry record numbers of riders. 


06/06 Update. Brookville Equipment Corporation is making excellent progress on the refurbishment of the eleven PCC cars acquired by Muni from New Jersey Transit. Based on the experience of refurbishing the first of the cars in 2005, the scope of work was expanded to cover additional needed work.   The cars are now expected to enter service later in 2006, adding badly needed capacity to the F-Line, which continues to carry record numbers of riders. 

 

Brookville 5 06 8 sm.JPG (112745 bytes) Brookville 5 06 7sm.JPG (126419 bytes) Brookville 5 06 40sm.JPG (113558 bytes) Brookville 5 06 6sm.JPG (114068 bytes)
The eleven PCC streetcars now being refurbished will continue the San Francisco tradition of painting each one in a different heritage paint scheme, representing cities throughout North America.  

07/08 Update. As ridership on the "F" Line continues to grow, the Muni is working to field additional cars to meet the demand. The eleven PCC cars overhauled in 2005-2007 are now scheduled to receive additional work, including complete rewiring and conversion of control systems to match the balance of Muni's PCC fleet. Additionally, four more double-ended PCCs are to be rebuilt, along with historic PCC 1040 (the last PCC car built in America, delivered in 1952) and Muni historic car No. 1. A pre-bid conference for the contracts to perform the aforementioned work was held in late July, with bids due in August. Work is expected to take approximately two years.

In other historic car news, Muni Car 162 is poised to re-enter service following a multi-year restoration effort. The car was acquired by the Muni in 2003 from the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Southern California with help from the MSR. Restoration was a cooperative venture between Muni and MSR. The car made its debut for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Transit Conference, hosted by San Francisco in June of 2008. The car is expected to enter regular passenger service shortly.  

 

SF Jun08 162 Embarcadero Mission sm.jpg (182232 bytes) SF Jun08 162 wye sm.jpg (159589 bytes) SF June08 162 130 Embarcadero sm .jpg (175454 bytes) SF Jun08 JS with 162 sm.jpg (183461 bytes)
Car 162 at the Ferry Terminal loop, Embarcadero & Market, June 2008 John Smatlak with car 162
SF June08 162 Geneva sm.jpg (134860 bytes) SF June08 162 museum stop sm.jpg (128125 bytes) SF June2008 162 night scene sm4.jpg (131372 bytes) SF June08 162 at Beach sm2.jpg (87212 bytes)
162 returns to the historic Geneva Carhouse

162 on an evening trip for the APTA Heritage Trolley and Streetcar Subcommittee, June 2008.

 John Smatlak photos   

 5/09 Update. Muni has awarded a $1.9M contract to Brookville Equipment for the complete overhaul of historic streetcar No. 1. Work is scheduled to begin this summer. In anticipation of the car being moved to Brookville PA., it was moved to the new Muni Metro East facility where it can be stored under cover until it leaves for Pennsylvania. Click here for an entry on the Market Street Railway blog covering the news.

Market Street Railway Photo

 


Links

Historic Streetcar Extension.org (Ft. Mason extension)

San Francisco page on the APTA Heritage Trolley site

Market St. Railway

The Cable Car Homepage

Muni Historic Streetcars page

 

This page was last updated on 5/8/09


 

 

Streetcar and Historic Railway Consultants

Home Page |  What Do We Do? |  Streetcars |  Conservation

Links |  Library |  Red Car Line |  Contact Us

 

Copyright by Railway Preservation Resources Inc. 2000-2009, All Rights Reserved