Decorated Cable Cars

by Joe Thompson

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Background
2011 - Christmas
2010 - Christmas
2010 - Giants Victory Parade
2010 - Baseball Postseason
2008 - Christmas
2007 - Christmas
2006 - Christmas
2006 - Carnaval
2005 - Carnaval
2004 - Christmas
2003 - Christmas
1973 - The Centennial
Other Occasions

Background

Decorating transit vehicles for holidays and other special occasions is an American tradition that goes back to the Nineteenth Century. It has recently undergone a revival in San Francisco. On this page I will feature several old and new examples.

Val Lupiz decorated car 60 to celebrate Cal Cable's 125th anniversary. 10-Apr-2003. Photo by Joe Thompson.

Gripman Val Lupiz (read his column Tales From the Grip) has led a recent revival of the art of decorating cable cars.

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2011 - Christmas

Powell Street cars 9, 13, 16 and 25 were decorated this year. No California Street cable cars got decorated.

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2010 - Christmas

Val Lupiz and family decorated car 60 for Christmas, 2010. I particularly like the blue lights.

One Saturday in December, we parked at Fifth and Mission and took the F-Line down to California and Drumm.

I took this photo of Milan tram 1818 on the F-Line as it travelled down Market towards the Ferry Building.

At California and Drumm, we waited for a cable car. We were happy to see that car 60 was laying over. We had a nice ride through the Financial District, looking at the office buildings and banks with their lobby decorations.

I took this photo of car 60 at California and Taylor, just after we got off.

We were going to look around Grace Cathedral, but there was an event going on. We walked over to the Fairmont to see the decorations.

The tree in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel.

The recreation center across the street was torn down so it could be rebuilt, giving an interesting view looking down Mason towards the powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets.

Car 6 inbound on the Powell/Hyde line passes the powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets. 6 is fresh out of the paint shop and there is not a ding on it except in the bell.

Freshly painted car 6 stops at Mason by the powerhouse.

Freshly painted car 6 continues inbound. Note the reflection on the side of the closed section.

When we went into the powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets, we found that the Powell Street cable was stopped. We later learned that there had been a hairball, an unstranded cable.

Another view of the driving machinery at the powerhouse. The Powell Street cable, on the left, is stopped.

We walked down towards Jackson and Powell, knowing that the cars would be heading around the horn because the Powell Street cable was down. We saw blue and gold car 16 coming up the hill on the Mason line, so we walked back up to Mason and caught it around the corner. It was nearly empty.

After we got off of 16 , visible two cars in the background, we found 25, which had been decorated for Christmas.

Car 10 sat at the turntable at Bay and Taylor.

We walked over to the IHOP and had lunch, then walked up Beach to Hyde. We found that the line was short, so we joined it. There were a singer and an escape artist performing.

Car 14 laying over at Hyde and Beach. The Christmas decorations are sponsored by Tiernan's Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Another view of car 14, with car 5 waiting behind. The sign of the Buena Vista Cafe, first American home of Irish Coffee, is visible on the right.

A rear view of 13 on the track leading to the turntable at Hyde and Beach.

A side view of 13 on the track leading to the turntable at Hyde and Beach. The Christmas decorations are sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe.

A shopman greases the curve leading into the Hyde and Beach turntable to allow the cars to roll more freely. Car 6 waits to load and depart.

After car 6 pulled forward to load, car 13 turned on the turntable.

A front view of 13 after rolling off the turntable.

We got on 13 and rode it to Washingon and Powell, the end of the line because of the hairball. Car 21 was still stuck just up the street. We felt sorry for the crew, who still sat aboard. A group was waiting for the next substitute bus. When it came, we all got aboard, and were joined by a group from a third car. It was very crowded, so I couldn't see much, but the wrecker truck was working with a car at Powell and California.

We got off the bus at Sutter and fought through the crowds to the Fairmont, to see the decorations. We went to Macys to see the animals in the windows, then went on to Fifth and Mission and picked up our auto.

Car 9 models its Christmas decorations at Powell and Market.

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2010 - Giants Victory Parade

After the Giants beat the Texas Rangers in the World Series, it was their first World Series win since 1954, their first since they moved to San Francisco in 1958, and their first in my lifetime.

Madison Bumgarner rides a motorized cable in the parade. December, 2010 Picture of the Month.

A couple of us left the office about 10:30. The streets leading towards Market were packed solid back to Mission, so we walked down to Second Street and then out Sansome. We went up Bush towards Montgomery, and got within about 30 people towards the street. My camera battery died, so most of these images are grabs from some videos that I shot.

Another motorized cable in the parade.

Another motorized cable in the parade. Getting monotonous, huh? ;0)

This banner spanned Montgomery Street at Bush.

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2010 - Baseball Postseason

In 2010, the San Francisco Giants reached the postseason for the first time since 2003. The beat the Braves in the National League Division Series and the Phillies in the National League Championship Series. The Giants went on to beat the Texas Rangers in the World Series. This was the Giants' first world championship since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

Let's Go Buster -- One window of Car 28 exhorts Giants rookie catcher Buster Posey.

I had a half day off on the day of the Giant's first home game in the National League Championship series against the Philadelphia Phillies. I rode the F line to Fisherman's Wharf and walked over to Bay and Taylor. The windows of Powell/Mason car 28 had been decorated by its crew.

Fear the Beard -- Another window of Car 28 praises the Giants' excellent corps of hirusite relief pitchers. November, 2010 Picture of the Month.

Today's Score -- This window of Car 28 promises to post today's score.

Beat the Phillies -- This window of Car 28 calls for the Giants to beat the Phillies.

"Go Giants" say the front windows of Car 28.

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2008 - Christmas

For the 2008 holidays, at least 6 decorated cars hit the streets. Some were decorated by Val Lupiz and other people of the Cable Car Division, and some by sponsors.

When Val was ready to take 52 out on the road, he discovered that one of the doors was stuck and the battery would not hold a charge. The shop crew pushed 52 back into the barn and it wound up parked next to 49. Val made a quick decision: he stripped all the decorations from 52 and applied them to 49. He calls his condition "Obsessive Decorating Disorder."

Val said he "also found a portable automotive battery charger/power source that allows me to run the lights independantly of the cable car's battery, solving one of the biggest headaches in the past - the power would run down on the cable car battery, affecting all of the lights - the headlights, interior lights, Xmas lights, everything. We would have to pull the car in with a completely dead battery, and the shop would get upset, etc."

The Buena Vista Cafe, which has been a faithful supporter, decorated car 25.

Joe Thompson took this view of car 25 on 18-December-2008, laying over near Powell and Market.

Joe Thompson took this view of the back platform of car 25 on 18-December-2008, laying over near Powell and Market.

Joe Thompson took this view of car 9 on 16-December-2008 inbound on Powell between Geary and O'Farrell.

Joe Thompson took this view of the back porch of car 13 on 16-December-2008, just off the turntable at Powell and Market.

Val Lupiz reports that car 14 was decorated by Conductor Bobby Johnson. Joe Thompson took this view of car 25 on 18-December-2008 at Powell and Ellis.

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2007 - Christmas

For the 2007 holidays, the family and I weren't able to help, but at least 6 decorated cars hit the streets. Some were decorated by Val Lupiz and other people of the Cable Car Division, and some by sponsors.

This video, taken on 28-December-2007, shows car 58, decorated for Christmas, running inbound from Grant to Montgomery. Click arrow button to play video. (Adobe Flash is required. Some browsers will require two clicks to start the video.)

Joe Thompson took this rear view of car 9 at Powell and Ellis on 20-December-2007.

Joe Thompson took this side view of car 9 at Powell and Ellis on 20-December-2007.

Joe Thompson took this side view of car 10 at Powell and Ellis on 20-December-2007.

Joe Thompson took this side view of the still-decorated car 13 at Powell and Ellis on 10-January-2008.

Joe Thompson took this detail view of the still-decorated car 13 at Powell and Ellis on 10-January-2008.

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2006 - Christmas

For the 2006 holidays, Val Lupiz allowed me and the family, to help decorate car 17. We had a great time. Altogether, seven decorated cars hit the streets.

Car 17 laying over at Powell and Market. December 2006. Photo by Joe Thompson.

Tiernan's Irish Pub And Restaurant sponsored car 3.

The Buena Vista Cafe, which has been a dedicated supporter, decorated car 13.

Scoma's Seafood Resturant, another regular sponsor, decorated car 28.

Car 49, without a sponsor, was given a "simplified" decoration.

Morgan Stanley Investments sponsored car 60.

Powell Street car 27 also got decorated.

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2006 - Carnaval

Gripman Val Lupiz and other members of the Cable Car Division, Transport Workers of America Local 250A, again decorated and drove motorized cable cars 62 (former Cal Cable Jones Street shuttle car 61) and 46 (owned by Cable Car Charters) in San Francisco's annual Carnaval Parade. San Francisco has Carnaval after Lent instead of before, hoping to have warmer weather. It worked out well in 2005.

A view from car 62 as car 46 turns onto 24th Street from the staging area on Bryant.

A broadside view of car 62 in the staging area on Bryant.

The Cable Car Blues Band sets up on a Muni truck in the staging area.

Local 250A members pose before car 62.

Car 46 decorated with signs for Eric Safire, who was running for Superior Court Judge. He was defeated in the election by Judge Lillian Sing.

A view through the front windows of car 62, showing the Esplendor Azteka -- Xipe Tptec dancers on Mission Street.

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2005 - Carnaval

Gripman Val Lupiz and other members of the Cable Car Division, Transport Workers of America Local 250A, decorated and drove motorized cable cars 62 (former Cal Cable Jones Street shuttle car 61) and 46 (owned by Cable Car Charters) in San Francisco's annual Carnaval Parade. San Francisco has Carnaval after Lent instead of before, hoping to have warmer weather. It worked out well in 2005.

Car 62 waits in the staging area.

A front view of car 62.

Car 46 waits in the staging area. Note that 46 has a four-window center section, while 62 has a three-window center section.

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2004 - Christmas

For the 2004 holidays, Val Lupiz allowed me and the family, along with other volunteers, to help decorate car 60. It was fun. Gripman Lance Perry and friends were decorating car 52 at the same time.

Powell Street car 9 was sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe. Car 28 was decorated by Scoma's Seafood Restaurant.

Val Lupiz designed this invitation, with a photo of decorated car 60, for the Cable Car Division's 2005 luncheon for Senior Citizens. Photo and artwork by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved. December, 2005 Picture of the Month.

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2003 - Christmas

For the 2003 holidays, Val Lupiz helped encourage the revival of the old tradition of having businesses sponsor decorated cars. Car One was sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe, a famous bar and grill at Hyde and Beach. Car 7 was decorated by gripman Ken Foster. Car 9 was decorated by Val Lupiz and friends. Car 13 was decorated by gripman Robert Hanssen. Car 16 was sponsored by Scoma's Seafood Resturant. Car 17 was sponsored by the new Argonaut Hotel, in the Haslett Warehouse. Cars 59 and 60 were decorated by gripman Lance Perry.

Car One's 2003 Christmas decorations were sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe. Photographed on 08-Dec-2003 at Hyde and Beach, right next to the Buena Vista. Photo by Joe Thompson.

In 2003, Car 9, seen here at Hyde and Beach on 08-Dec-2003, was decorated by Val Lupiz and friends. Photo by Joe Thompson.

Car 17, sponsored by the Argonaut Hotel, in the car barn on 19-Dec-2003. Photo by Joe Thompson.

F Line Car 1051 on 08-Dec-2003, decorated for Christmas at Jones and Beach. Photo by Joe Thompson.

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1973 - The Centennial

In August 1973, San Francisco celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Clay Street Hill Railroad, the first successful cable car line. Thanks to Walter Rice for providing photos of some of the decorated cars.

It is August 2, 1973 -- the hundredth anniversary of Andrew S. Hallidie successfully testing the world�s first cable car on his Clay Street Hill Railroad -- as car number 527 (now 27) is passing Muni�s Washington-Mason car barn and powerhouse. In celebration of the anniversary 527 is telling the world "100 Years in the Groove." Walter Rice Collection.

Three days after the Hundredth Anniversary Celebration of the cable car, on August 5, 1973, car No. 8 (formerly 508) is pulled-out from the Washington-Mason car storage area to have its photograph taken to record the car�s commemorative decorations. The clothing store Roos/Atkins honored famous San Franciscans as its contribution for the celebration. Walter Rice Collection.

Can anyone identify all the famous San Franciscans?

San Francisco radio station KFOG ("World Class Rock") honored Andrew Hallidie�s century old accomplishment with decorated Powell cable car No. 505 (now 5). Number 505 is showing off its Hundredth Anniversary Celebration decorations at the rear of the Washington-Mason car barn, August 2, 1973. Walter Rice Collection

California Street cable car No. 60 (now replaced by a new No. 60) is commemorating with its decorations one hundred years of cable car service on California Street (Kearny to Van Ness). No. 60 is posed at the rear of the Washington-Mason, April 10, 1978.

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Other Occasions

504 decorated floridly for the Cable Car Festival April 23, 1955. How did the gripman see where he was going? Charles W. Cushman Collection. Indiana University Archives (P7983). All rights reservered.

Another view of 504 during the Cable Car Festival April 23, 1955. Charles W. Cushman Collection. Indiana University Archives (P7986). All rights reservered.

Santa arrives across the street from the Emporium in November, 1958. He is riding a decorated car 504, which had a roof that was reinforced for Santa's yearly ride. S. F. News Photo By Bob Warren. (Source: San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, AAC-6752).

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Last updated 01-January-2011