Decorated Cable Cars

by Joe Thompson

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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.

Cal Cable anniversary car 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.

2008 - Christmas

52 barn Val Lupiz took this view of car 52 in the carbarn on 02-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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

52 barn/2 Val Lupiz took this front view of car 52 in the carbarn on 02-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

52 interior Val Lupiz took this interior view of car 52 in the carbarn on 02-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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."

49 Cal/Van Ness Val Lupiz took this view of car 49 at California and Van Ness on 08-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

49 barn turntable Val Lupiz took this view of car 49 on the turntable in the car barn on 08-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

49 barn/2 Val Lupiz took this view of car 49 in the car barn on 09-December-2008. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

25 Washington/Mason Val Lupiz took this view of car 25, decorated and sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe, on 03-December-2008 at Washington and Mason. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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

25 Powell/California Val Lupiz took this view of car 25 on 03-December-2008 at Powell and California, waiting to cross California. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

25 Powell/California/2 Val Lupiz took this view of car 25 on 03-December-2008 at Powell and California, ready to go down the hill towards Pine. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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

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

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

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

14 decorated 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.

2007 - Christmas

60 Cal/Drumm night Val Lupiz took this night view of car 60 at California and Drumm on 04-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved. December, 2008 Picture of the Month.

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.

60 Cal/Drumm Val Lupiz took this photo of car 60 at California and Drumm in December, 2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

60 barn Val Lupiz took this photo of car 60 in the barn with Powell Street car 11 on 03-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

58 barn Val Lupiz took this photo of car 58 in the barn while it was being decorated on 08-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

58 barn/2 Val Lupiz took another view of car 58 in the barn while it was being decorated on 08-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

58 cabin Val Lupiz took this view of the cabin of car 58 in the barn while it was being decorated on 08-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

58 in barn Val Lupiz took this view of car 58 in the barn on 09-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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.)

21 in barn Val Lupiz took this view of car 21 in the barn on 09-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

9 in barn Val Lupiz took this view of car 9, sponsored by the Buena Vista Cafe, in the barn on 09-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved. February, 2008 Picture of the Month.

9 in barn/2 Val Lupiz took this view of car 9 in the barn on 09-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

10 in barn Val Lupiz took this view of car 10 in the barn on 09-December-2007. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

9 at Ellis/1 Joe Thompson took this rear view of car 9 at Powell and Ellis on 20-December-2007.

9 at Ellis/2 Joe Thompson took this side view of car 9 at Powell and Ellis on 20-December-2007.

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

13 at Ellis/1 Joe Thompson took this side view of the still-decorated car 13 at Powell and Ellis on 10-January-2008.

13 at Ellis/2 Joe Thompson took this detail view of the still-decorated car 13 at Powell and Ellis on 10-January-2008.

2006 - Christmas

17 interior The interior of car 17 in the barn. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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.

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

3 decorated Car 3 in the barn. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

Tiernan's Irish Pub And Restaurant sponsored car 3.

13 decorated Car 13 in the barn. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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

28 decorated night Car 28 outbound at Powell and Post, at night. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

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

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

60 decorated Car 60 at California and Drumm. Val Lupiz photo. All rights reserved.

Morgan Stanley Investments sponsored car 60.

Powell Street car 27 also got decorated.

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.

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

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

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

Union Folks Local 250A members pose before car 62.

Car 46 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.

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

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 decorated Car 62 waits in the staging area.

Car 62 front A front view of car 62.

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

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.

Car 9 decorated Car 9 at Powell and California. The Buena Vista Cafe sponored the Christmas decorations. December, 2004. Photo by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved.

Car 60 decorated/2 Car 60 lays over at Van Ness and California. It was decorated by Val Lupiz and a team of volunteers. December, 2004. Photo by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved.

Car 60 decorated/1 Car 60 on the turntable in the car barn at Washington and Mason. December, 2004. Photo by Val Lupiz. All rights reserved.

Invitation 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.

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 decorated 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.

Car 9 decorated 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 Car 17, sponsored by the Argonaut Hotel, in the car barn on 19-Dec-2003. Photo by Joe Thompson.

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

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.

Car 527 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.

Car 8 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?

Car 505 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

Car 60 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.

Other Occasions

504 decorated 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.

504 decorated/2 Another view of 504 during the Cable Car Festival April 23, 1955. Charles W. Cushman Collection. Indiana University Archives (P7986). All rights reservered.

Santa Thumbnail 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-2009