19-05-20 PHOTOS: T Third Bis

Back in 2008 I rode the MUNI's new T-Third light rail line when it was new.  Fast forward 11 years and numerous San Francisco trips later I realized I did not really have a good photo survey of the T-Third line and made it my objective of my 2019 stay.  Of course when one is in San Francisco for a week there are many different transit oppurtunities to take advantage of and therefore this set will also include trips along all three cable car lines, the L Taraval to the Pacific ocean and walks along the E Embarcadero.

The full set of photos can be found here (mirror) and stay tuned for a second video post covering the Cable Car lines.

On the first day of my trip, traveling from San Jose Airport I got off Caltrain at Bayshore and transfered to the T Third at the Arleta station.  Breda LRV #1464 was on hand to take me downtown.

Passing Breda LRV #1529 at Armstrong Ave.

Passing by a New Flier XT40 Oakdale-Palou station.  All stops on the T-Third provide for level boarding.

There is a level crossing with the San Francisco Belt Railway immediately before the Islais Creek Brawbridge.

Breda LRV #1457 at the southern Metro East yard lead junction.

New crossovers and platforms were being constructed to support additional traffic to the equally new Chase Center area, future home of the Golden State Philadelphia Warriors.

Arriving at the Embarcadero terminal station I caught new Siemens LRV #2022 running behind my Breda LRV #1464.  These are scheduled to replace the Breda LRVs by 2027.

MUNI California Line Cable car #57 sitting at the Market Street terminal.

To collect my Three Day tourist pass of shame, I had to travel to the ticket kiosk at Powell.  Since my times MUNI ticket was still good, I caught the St. Louis heritage PCC #1050 running on the F market.   Note any PCCs with the "school bus" style drop windows are former SEPTA cars.

The operator of Breda LRV #1433 is getting a quick job briefing at the Embarcadaro terminal.

On Day 2 I set out to shoot video on both directions of the MUNI California Line.  The video mount was hands free so I was also able to get some stills like MUNI #58 sitting about a block east of the Anglican cathedral. 

MUNI California Line cable car #49 sitting at the Van Ness terminal.

Back at Market, old #58 had managed to make it way to the front of the ready service queue.

That evening I went for a walk along the Embarcadaro where I came upon Kansas City heritage car #1056.  Unfortunately about every other headway had been replaced by a bus.  I mean why even bother at that point if any reasonable rider will just wait for the next PCC 🙄.

Two iterations of Philadelphia Transit Company PCC liveries pass near Pier 23, 3000 miles away from home.

Golden hour photos of MUNI #15, #3 and #16 cable cars at the Hyde and Beach terminal.

MUNI #25 cable car at the Powell terminal later that night.

Breda LRV #1521 at Powell St subway stop.

The next morning I was inclined to get some video of the Bay and Taylor line, but as is common for the Bay Area, the morning was gray and rainy.  Here is cable car #26 at the Fisherman's Wharf terminal.

Returning downtown, we passed MUNI cable car #9 beginning its ascent of the Powell St incline.

Muni cable car #24 taking a spin on the Powell turntable.

MUNI Cable Car #56 at the wet Market St terminal.

Four more historic PCCs on the Embarcadaro.  Brooklyn heritage car #1053, Minneapolis-Saint Paul heritage car #1071, Toronto heritage car #1074 and MUNI heritage car #1051.

Over the last 10 years the cable cars have become increasingly popular and therefore increasingly crowded.  Wait times hover around 45 minutes throught the day and even then one is not likely to get one of the front seats needed to shoot video.  Therefore I was getting up around 6am to catch one of the early morning runs.  These were also popular with Chinese package tour groups that would pay cash one way fares for 20-30 people.  These inevitably would alight at Lombard St to check another box on the San Francisco checklist.

Passing by MUNI Cable Car #23 at Chestnut St as we descend towards the Bay.

Muni Cable Car #1 rolling off the Beach turntable.

Muni Cable Car #26 at Union Square.

MUNI cable car #25 at the Powell St terminal.

New Siemens LRV #2042 at the Powell and Embarcadaro subway stations.

On the L Taraval passing by Breda LRV #1418 at 19th Ave, 1426 at 27th Ave and 1428 at 40th Ave.

  

 As the Breda cars are facing retirement, I got some video of the analogue rollsigns in action.


At 46th Ave our Breda LRV, #1542, turned south to serve the SF Zoo.  Persons looking to hit the beach need to get off and walk two blocks past the old L Line terminal.

Back downtown two generations of MUNI LRV represented by #2039 and #1468 at the Embarcadaro station.

On my last morning there was time for one last MUNI ride on my way to catch Caltrain at the 4th and King St station.  Breda LRV #1520 did the honors and hopefully it will not be my past ride on these Italian classics.

Like I said, stay tuned for a video post covering the California and Bay Taylor cable car lines.