They did away with the trams in 1962, the year I was born. After riding the old tramcars in places like Lisbon and Warsaw, I can see it was a huge mistake.
Those are gorgeous. So much nicer than modern buses and trains. What happened to elegance in public transport? There must be a way you can have beautiful and functional in the same package without it costing the earth.
I never did quite understand why cities ripped up street car tracks and the supporting electrical infrastructure and replaced them with motor vehicles. Only now are they beginning to see the foolishness of that action. San Francisco did keep some of them and did convert others to electric busses, but the 'surface trains' or trams had a charm all of their own, are efficient and very eco friendly.
I thoroughly enjoyed riding the streetcars in SF. And the old yellow tram along Market Street was a joy. Edinburgh is bringing back trams, but of the modern, light rail kind.
The 'F' streetcar line is the only one using restored streetcars from around the U.S. and now, from Europe. The yellow one you mentioned was probably one of the ones from Italy. The others are classic 'PCC' cars that have been restored. There is talk of extending a second 'E' line that will run along the Embarcadero and the wharves. Our underground, or MuniMetro was converted from problematic Boeing Vertol LRV's to Italian Breda LRV's. Rumor has it that one or two of the old Boeings will be restored and put into service on the F-Lne.
It's moving to a new home in about a year. The new museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, will be down by the River Clyde. I look forward to welcoming you there!
Comments 10
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Here is more informaton from the Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F_Market
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment