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Transportation Photography by Michael "Streetcar Mike" Strauch

San Francisco Municipal Railway
Historic Streetcar No. 952 (New Orleans)

Page created March 5, 2005.
Eight new photos added May 10, 2009.

©2005-2009 Michael Strauch. All rights reserved.
No photograph may be used elsewhere without my permission.

Car 952 was originally delivered to New Orleans Public Service Inc. in 1924. When NOPSI discontinued the Canal streetcar line, 952 was sold to the Chattanooga Choo Choo resort. There it operated in a yellow livery on a short segment of track. The Regional Transit Authority brought it back to New Orleans for the new Riverfront Line, which opened in 1988. It was repainted red with yellow trim and renumbered 456. Muni negotiated with the RTA to swap retired cable car 59 (in O'Farrell, Jones & Hyde livery) for 456, which was restored by RTA back to original number 952. The car retained the original roof ventilators and two person crew configuration, but was painted to match the 1990s redesign of the St. Charles cars. Muni operates 952 in regular service, although there have been periods when it was down for repairs.

Car 952 premiered in San Francisco in 1998. Because it has only two motors (instead of the four that many San Francisco streetcars have to climb hills), it is run in short-turn service on relatively level terrain (Embarcadero). Pull-out and pull-in runs require a running start on some of the hillier portions of Church and Market Streets.


Car 952 at the Ferry Plaza on October 7, 2000.


Car 952 on lower Market Street on April 12, 2005.


Car 952 at the Ferry Plaza on April 12, 2005.


Car 952 at Market and Steuart Streets on April 12, 2005.


Car 952 on Market at Sutter Sts. on June 26, 2006. It passed an overhead lines truck making a trolley coach wire repair. Note the short turn dash sign for Van Ness (11th Street).


Car 952 at Pier 39 on June 26, 2006.



Car 952 at Jefferson and Jones waits for other streetcars to move forward through the terminal. Note the horse drawn carriage (like New Orleans!) in the second photo and the overhead lines truck in the third and fourth photos. June 26, 2006.


Car 952 turns from the Jones Street terminal in photos taken on the accessible ramp, June 26, 2006.


Car 952 at Fishermans Wharf (Jefferson and Mason, Jones and Beach) on August 22, 2006. The streetcar was operating a short turn between the Wharf and the Ferries this day, as indicated by the dash sign.


A self-portrait aboard car 952 on August 24, 2006. I'm wearing an official streetcarmike.com hat.



Car 952 at the Ferry Plaza on August 23, 2006. The car just discharged and will loop via Don Chee Way, Steuart Street, and Mission Street to return to the Wharf.


As car 952 departs the Ferry Plaza, Baylink MCI BL28 arrives at the Ferry Building to take on passengers to Vallejo.


Car 952 on Market at Fremont/First Sts. on August 23, 2006. It's heading for Geneva Yard via the regular Market Street route, last stop Noe and 17th Sts.


Car 952 at San Jose and Geneva Aves. I just alighted from the M-Ocean View Metro streetcar and was surprised to see 952 pull up.



Car 952 at San Jose and Geneva Aves. pulling into the yard. August 22, 2006. Breda 1544, looping out to begin a downtown run on M-Ocean View, had to reverse to accomodate 952's pull-in.

Car 952 begins another trip from the Ferry Plaza to Fishermans Wharf on May 10, 2009. Four new photos added 05/10/09.

Car 952 leaves the Ferry Plaza stop to loop around for its layover on Embarcadero between Mission St. and Don Chee Way on May 10, 2009. Four new photos added 05/10/09.

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