San Francisco Municipal Railway fleet
| Company type | Public transit agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Area served | San Francisco, California |
| Products | Bus, trolleybus, light rail vehicles, streetcars, cable cars |
| Website | https://www.sfmta.com/ |
With a fleet spanning five distinct transit types, the San Francisco Municipal Railway manages one of the most varied collections of vehicles in the United States. The system includes roughly 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses, 300 electric trolleybuses, around 250 advanced light rail cars, 50 vintage streetcars, and 40 cable cars in operation.
Muni’s cable car network stands as the globe’s oldest and largest continuously operating system of its kind, while its electric trolleybus fleet ranks as the biggest in the nation. By 2020, Muni had fully modernized its motor coach lineup—originally introduced in 1915—by transitioning to diesel-electric hybrid buses.
Fleet overview
The table below provides an overview of Muni’s active vehicles. Accessibility is ensured for all buses at every stop. Although streetcars are accessible, certain surface stops on the E and F lines, as well as many Muni Metro surface stops, lack full accessibility. Cable cars do not offer accessible boarding.
| Make/model | Fleet series (Quantity) | Years built | Division/Yard | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orion VII (30 feet (9.1 m) low-floor diesel-electric hybrid bus) |
8501–8530 (30 buses) | 2007 | Woods | Scheduled for replacement | |
| ENC E-Z Rider II (32 feet (9.8 m) low-floor diesel-electric hybrid bus) |
8531–8560 (30 buses) | 2021 | Woods | Replacing 30 ft Orion VII coaches | |
| New Flyer Xcelsior XDE40 (40 feet (12 m) low-floor diesel-electric hybrid bus) |
8601–8662, 8701–8750 (112 buses) | 2013 | Woods, Kirkland | ||
| 8751–8780 (30 buses) | 2017 | ||||
| 8800–8969 (170 buses) | 2016–2019 | ||||
| New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 (60 feet (18 m) low-floor diesel-electric hybrid bus) |
6500–6554 (55 buses) | 2015 | Flynn, Islais Creek | ||
| 6560–6697 (138 buses) | 2015–2018 | ||||
| 6700–6730 (31 buses) | 2015–2016 | ||||
| New Flyer Xcelsior XT40 (40 feet (12 m) low-floor electric trolleybus) |
5701–5885 (185 buses) | 2017–2019 | Presidio, Potrero | ||
| New Flyer Xcelsior XT60 (60 feet (18 m) low-floor electric trolleybus) |
7201–7293 (93 buses) | 2015–2018 | Potrero | ||
| New Flyer Xcelsior XE40 (40 feet (12 m) low-floor battery electric bus) |
5001–5003 (3 buses) | 2021 | Woods | Demonstration units | |
| BYD K9 (40 feet (12 m) low-floor battery electric bus) |
5004–5006 (3 buses) | 2021 | Woods | Demonstration units | |
| Proterra ZX5 (40 feet (12 m) low-floor battery electric bus) |
5007–5009 (3 buses) | 2021 | Woods | Demonstration units | |
| Nova Bus LFSe+ (40 feet (12 m) low-floor battery electric bus) |
5010–5012 (3 buses) | 2022 | Woods | Demonstration units | |
| Breda LRV3 (High-floor light rail vehicle) |
1477–1550 (74 vehicles) | 1999–2003 | Green, Muni Metro East | Some units retired | |
| Siemens S200 LRV4 (High-floor light rail vehicles) |
2001–2249 (249 vehicles) | 2016– | Green, Muni Metro East |
Facilities
| Division | Opened | No. of vehicles | Vehicle type | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidio | 1912 | 132 | 40-foot trolleybuses | Established as Muni’s original yard, initially serving Geary streetcar routes | |
| Potrero | 1914 | 146 | 40-foot and 60-foot trolleybuses | ||
| Woods | 1975 | 284 | 30-foot and 40-foot hybrid buses | ||
| Flynn | 1989 | 119 | 60-foot hybrid buses | Honors H. Welton Flynn, the inaugural chairman of the SFMTA Board. | |
| Kirkland | 1950 | 88 | 40-foot hybrid buses | ||
| Green | 1977 | 140 | LRVs | Located at Balboa Park station, named after former General Manager Curtis E. Green. | |
| Cameron Beach | 1901 | 60 | Historic streetcars | Previously known as Geneva Division; renamed in 2011 to honor SFMTA board member Cameron Beach. | |
| Muni Metro East | 2008 | 100 | LRVs | ||
| Cable Car | 1887 | 40 | Cable cars | Contains the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. | |
| Pharr | 1982 | — | Historic streetcars | Formerly Mint Yard; utilized for restoration and temporary storage; named after volunteer David Pharr. | |
| Marin | 1998 | — | — | Functions as motor coach acceptance yard, track maintenance shop, and storage for cable cars/historic streetcars. |
|- Islais Creek |- 2013 |- 105 |- 60-foot hybrid buses |-
|- style="text-align:left;font-size:90%;" | Superseded an open yard with a $127 million enclosed facility in 2017; designed to replace Kirkland Yard but attracted criticism due to absence of promised community amenities. |}
Bus fleet
By the year 2022, Muni’s fleet comprised approximately 550 diesel-electric hybrid buses alongside around 300 electric trolleybuses, predominantly New Flyer Xcelsior models sharing a high degree of parts compatibility. The only deviations are battery-electric pilot buses and shorter, 32-foot "community route" vehicles manufactured by ENC, as New Flyer does not produce Xcelsior models in that size.
Diesel-electric hybrid buses
Muni’s diesel-powered coaches range from 30 to 60 feet, all utilizing diesel-electric hybrid systems fueled by renewable diesel derived from biological feedstocks such as fats and oils. This hybrid technology provides effective performance on San Francisco’s steep inclines.
Prior to 2007, the entire bus fleet consisted of diesel-only vehicles from manufacturers no longer active in the U.S. market (including NABI, Neoplan, and Orion), which complicated upkeep. Starting in 2007, Muni initiated a nearly fifteen-year replacement program focused on hybrid buses. These newer hybrids have demonstrated enhanced dependability, achieving significantly greater distances between roadside breakdowns compared to the prior diesel-only fleet.
Electric trolleybuses
Muni manages the nation's largest fleet of electric trolleybuses (ETBs), serving numerous neighborhoods throughout the city. Although trolleybuses were once common across the United States, San Francisco remains one of just four cities maintaining an active ETB network. These vehicles are essential in navigating the city's challenging topography, as they handle significantly steeper inclines than typical buses, operate with reduced noise levels, and emit no pollutants locally.
The steepest incline within Muni’s trolleybus routes is a 22.8% grade on the 24-Divisadero line, ranking among the most demanding trolleybus grades worldwide. Muni has been operating trolleybuses since 1941, originally taking over routes from Market Street Railway. There have been discussions about converting certain diesel bus lines to trolleybus service.
In 1992, Muni introduced its first articulated 60-foot trolleybus—the New Flyer E60—which included wheelchair lifts to enhance accessibility. Today’s ETB fleet consists of articulated New Flyer XT60 models alongside standard 40-foot XT40 units. Over time, Muni has utilized trolleybuses manufactured by companies such as Brill, St. Louis Car Company, Twin Coach, Marmon-Herrington, Flyer, and Electric Transit Inc.
Battery-electric test buses
In 2018, the SFMTA Board resolved that beginning in 2025, only fully electric buses would be purchased, with plans to phase out all non-electric buses by 2035. Initially hesitant to adopt battery-electric buses (BEBs) due to concerns about their ability to perform on steep slopes and busy routes, Muni launched a pilot program in November 2019. Contracts were awarded to New Flyer ($4.5 million), BYD ($3.5 million), and Proterra ($5.3 million) to supply three BEBs each for evaluation purposes, with options for up to three additional units per manufacturer. A fourth contract was granted to Nova Bus ($4.8 million) in April 2021. These pilot BEBs are charged at Woods Yard using newly installed chargers and operate on routes including 9 San Bruno, 22 Fillmore, 29 Sunset, and 44 O'Shaughnessy. The first battery-electric bus began service in February 2022.
The Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan released in February 2021 details Muni’s initial production order of 54 articulated BEBs set for delivery in 2027, with complete retirement of diesel-electric hybrids targeted by 2037. By 2040, the entire fleet is expected to be battery-electric, comprising a total of 989 buses: 30-foot (30 units), 40-foot (497 units), and articulated 60-foot (462 units). Depot charging infrastructure will be installed at six yards; no plans currently exist for on-route charging stations. Yard upgrades featuring SAE J3105 inverted pantograph chargers are scheduled between 2024 and 2037 across Kirkland, Potrero, Flynn, Presidio, Islais Creek, and Woods facilities.
An updated version of the ZEB Rollout Plan issued in July 2022 accelerates and reorganizes yard charger installations and adjusts fleet replacement schedules. Starting in 2031, trolleybuses will be replaced on a one-for-one basis; meanwhile, diesel hybrids will gradually be phased out beginning in 2026 through BEB deployment until their full removal by 2037. By 2038, the fleet will consist of BEBs—30 units of 32-foot buses, 403 standard 40-foot buses, and 297 articulated 60-foot coaches—alongside trolleybuses remaining at 185 standard and 93 articulated vehicles. Charger installations at yards are now planned between 2022 and 2035 with a higher number of chargers per location. The overall project budget amounts to $1.8 billion: $1.4 billion allocated for new vehicles and $0.4 billion dedicated to charging infrastructure—excluding labor and other facility improvements.
Cable car fleet
At the dawn of the twentieth century, numerous cable car routes operated across various neighborhoods, with some vehicles manufactured directly by Muni. Today, only three lines remain active, utilizing a fleet of forty cable cars.
Modern light rail vehicles
When Muni Metro was launched, it operated 131 Boeing-Vertol LRV1 cars, which proved to be unreliable and were gradually withdrawn starting in 1997. These were succeeded by 151 Italian-made Breda LRV2 and LRV3 units, initially lauded for their dependability but later impacted by maintenance delays and design shortcomings.
To update the fleet, Muni initiated the replacement of Breda vehicles with new Siemens S200 LRV4 models beginning in 2021. The original agreement encompassed a potential total of 260 units: a base order of 175 cars (151 to replace Bredas and 24 for the Central Subway expansion), along with options for 40 and 45 additional vehicles. The first 68 LRV4 units were delivered between 2017 and 2019 ahead of the Central Subway's inauguration. Additional procurement includes four cars designated for Phase W expansion service to Chase Center, financed by the Mission Bay Transportation Improvement Fund. Option 1 (40 cars) was exercised in 2015, while Option 2 was partially activated (30 cars) in 2021, culminating in confirmed orders for 249 LRV4s.
The inaugural Siemens LRV4 commenced revenue service on November 17, 2017.
Retired and inactive light rail vehicles
The US Standard Light Rail Vehicle (USSLRV), developed in the 1970s by Boeing Vertol under the auspices of the US Urban Mass Transit Administration, sought to create a uniform light rail vehicle model across American systems. Originating as a defense conversion project near the end of the Vietnam War, it aimed to supplant aging PCC streetcar fleets and stimulate new light rail networks. Marketed as the Boeing LRV, it was purchased exclusively by San Francisco's Muni and Boston's MBTA. After a legal settlement, MBTA rejected its final batch of 40 cars, which Muni subsequently acquired.
Following the retirement of the last LRV1 in 2001, Muni preserved two units (1264 and 1320) for possible restoration by Market Street Railway (nonprofit), though these were ultimately scrapped in 2016. Two other LRV1 cars remain preserved: number 1213 at the Oregon Electric Railway Museum and number 1258 at the Western Railway Museum. Car No. 1271 currently functions as an office trailer within a Bay Area scrapyard.
The Breda LRV2/LRV3 series, consisting of 151 vehicles, is slated for decommissioning between 2021 and 2027, consistent with the Federal Transit Administration’s and Muni’s recommended 25-year service life for LRVs. With Siemens LRV4 deliveries progressing faster than anticipated, Muni is evaluating accelerated retirement schedules for some older Breda units.
| Model | Year built | Fleet series | Quantity | Year of retirement | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing USSLRV (LRV1) | 1978 | 1200–1299 | 100 | 1996–2001 | Cars 1222 and 1252 sustained damage during subway testing in 1979; components were used to complete former MBTA car 3565 (renumbered as 1252). Car 1212 collided with car 1255 in 1987; intact halves merged into new car 1255 while damaged sections were scrapped in 1994. | |
| 1977 | 1300–1329 | 30 | Initially rejected by MBTA; entered Muni service between 1981 and 1984. | |||
| Breda LRV2 | 1995–1998 | 1400–1476 | 77 | 2021–2023 | Cars 1407 and 1433 collided in 2009; damaged parts from this and other accidents were scrapped after repairs by Breda. Car 1417 collided with Siemens car 2061 in January 2021; it was dismantled for parts and scrapped by March; Siemens vehicle repaired and returned to service. Final Breda retirements concluded December 2023. | |
| Breda LRV3 | 1999–2003 | 1477–1550 | 74 | Expected retirement by 2027 | Car number 1494 was struck by a truck in July 2017; stripped for parts and scrapped by March 2021. | |
| Siemens S200 SF (LRV4) | 2016–2029 | 2001–2249 | 249 | — | Entered revenue service in late-2017; ahead-of-schedule deliveries facilitate accelerated phase-out of older models. | |
Historic streetcar fleet
The F Market & Wharves and E Embarcadero lines feature historic streetcars in operation. Although the F-line heritage streetcar became a permanent year-round service in 1995, it initially debuted twelve years earlier as a temporary solution during the 1982–84 cable car suspension for infrastructure improvements, an event known as the San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival.
This collection primarily includes PCC cars and 1920s-era Peter Witt vehicles from Milan, alongside a variety of international streetcars acquired through purchase or donation.
The vintage fleet is managed by the nonprofit Market Street Railway, while Muni retains ownership and operational responsibilities.
PCC fleet
Muni's PCC streetcars are classified into five distinct groups based on fleet numbers and their original service origins:[1]
| Class | Fleet numbers (quantity) | Original operator (year built) | Muni service period | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Motors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Ten[2] | 1006–1015 (8) | Muni (1948) | 1948–82; 1995+ | 50 ft 5 in (15.37 m) | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 40,140 lb (18,210 kg) | 4× General Electric 1220E1 |
| Baby Ten[3] | 1016–1040 (7) | Muni (1951–52) | 1951–82; 2012+ | 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m) | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) | 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) | 37,600 lb (17,100 kg) | 4× Westinghouse 1432K |
| 1050[4] | 1050–1064 (13) | PTC (1947–48) | 1995+ | 48 ft 5 in (14.76 m) | 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m) | 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) | 37,990 lb (17,230 kg) | 4× Westinghouse 1432J |
| 1070[5] | 1070–1080 (11) | TCRT (1946–47) | 2005+ | 46 ft 5 in (14.15 m) | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) | 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) | 37,600 lb (17,100 kg) | 4× General Electric 1220 |
| 1100[6] | 1101–1170 (9) | SLPS (1946) | 1957–82 | 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m) | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) | 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m) | 36,420 lb (16,520 kg) | 4× General Electric 1220A1 |
Initial group
Before their return to service in 1995, a number of PCC cars underwent restoration by Morrison-Knudsen. This process included three double-ended "Big Tens" (1007, 1010, and 1015), originally constructed for Muni, as well as the single-ended 1050-class units (1050–1064), which were initially part of the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC), now known as SEPTA. Both categories trace back to the late 1940s.
Car number 1054 was withdrawn from service following a major accident in 2003. Starting in 2014, Muni commenced comprehensive refurbishments of sixteen original cars at Brookville Equipment Corporation, beginning with car 1056. Subsequent rebuilds featured cars such as 1051, 1060, and 1059 among others, without a fixed sequence. The restoration of car 1051 was completed and it re-entered service in March 2017, dedicated to Harvey Milk, with car 1056 returning shortly thereafter.
Second group
The series of cars numbered 1070 through 1080 were initially acquired by Twin Cities Rapid Transit in 1946. These vehicles were sold to Newark in 1953 and operated on the Newark City Subway until they were phased out by newer light rail vehicles in 2001. In 2004, San Francisco Municipal Railway obtained these units and had them refurbished at Brookville Equipment Corporation. Some of these cars entered active service in early 2007 but were temporarily withdrawn due to electrical wiring problems, which were subsequently corrected. All cars in this set are single-ended.
Third group
Another batch of PCC cars constructed for Muni during 1948 and 1952 underwent restoration at Brookville between 2010 and 2011 before returning to operation. This collection includes four double-ended "Big Ten" models (numbers 1006, 1008, 1009, and 1011) as well as the only restored "Baby Ten" (1040), notable for being the final PCC car produced in North America.
Remaining PCC vehicles
The unrestored PCC streetcars with numbers in the 10xx range were primarily procured by Muni prior to 1952. This assortment features double-ended "Big Ten" cars (1006–1015), single-ended "Baby Tens" (1016–1040), and the "1050s" acquired from SEPTA during the early 1990s. While most of the 1050 series have been restored and remain operational, two units (1054 and 1064) were dismantled due to damage or lack of refurbishment.
In the mid-1990s, Gunnar Henrioulle emerged as the largest buyer of retired Muni streetcars, acquiring several "Baby Ten" and "11xx" class vehicles, along with former San Diego (#502) and Toronto (#4404, #4472) PCCs. He assembled a double-ended PCC from ex-Baby Tens #1024 and #1035 with plans for a heritage railway called Tahoe Valley Lines. After local authorities declined approval, most of his collection was sold off by 2001; however, four Baby Tens (#1026, 1027, 1038, and 1034) were reacquired by Muni.
| # | Represented city/system | Current status | Additional information | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1006 | San Francisco (wings) | In service | Purchased in 1948; operated until retirement in 1987; restored at Brookville in 2010–11; re-entered service October 6, 2012. | |
| 1007 | Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company | In service | Built for Muni in 1948; retired in 1982; underwent restorations in 1995 and again in 2020. | |
| 1008 | San Francisco (wings) | In service | Acquired in 1948; tested with pantograph in Market Street Subway (1977); restored by Brookville (2010–11); resumed service August 25, 2012. | |
| 1009 | Dallas Terminal & Railway | In service | Purchased in 1948; retired in 1982; suffered arson damage while stored; restored at Brookville (2010–11); returned January 17, 2013; door motor issues addressed before resuming service in 2014. | |
| 1010 | San Francisco Municipal Railway (1939 livery) | In service | Constructed for Muni in 1948; retired in 1982; restored in 1996; underwent further restoration at Brookville; returned to operation July 2025. | |
| 1011 | San Francisco (Market Street Railway zip stripe) | In service | Bought in 1948; retired in 1982; experienced arson damage during storage; last double-ended car restored at Brookville (2010–11); returned to service in 2014. | |
| 1014 | San Francisco | Permanently retired | Double-ended torpedo car retired in 1982; currently on loan to Sydney Tramway Museum. | |
| 1015 | Illinois Terminal Railroad | In service | Built for Muni in 1948; retired in 1982; restored in 1995; reintroduced after Brookville restoration late in 2019. |
| # | Represented city/system | Current status | Additional information | Image | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1023 | San Francisco | Scrapped | Removed from service late 2019/early 2020 due to extensive rust-related structural deterioration. | ||
| 1026 | San Francisco | Stored | Reacquired from Henrioulle's collection in 2001; remains intact as a restoration candidate. |
11xx class
The 1100 series, originally acquired by Muni in 1957 from St. Louis Public Service, was phased out in 1982 coinciding with the introduction of Muni Metro's LRV and subway operations. A majority of these vehicles were sold to Henrioulle for use on the Tahoe Valley Lines. Between 2005 and 2006, three units from the 11xx series (#1122, #1123, #1170) were obtained for San Diego Trolley's Silver Line heritage route, receiving new numbers (#529, #530, and #531), with #529 restored by early 2011. Under external pressures, Henrioulle sold nine PCC streetcars—including six from the 11xx class—to a developer in St. Charles, Missouri in 2007 for the proposed St. Charles City Streetcar project. The developer declared bankruptcy in 2009; following a fire in 2012, these streetcars were ultimately dismantled.
| # | Represented city/system | Current status | Details | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1103 | San Francisco | In storage | Constructed as #1701 for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1106 | San Francisco | Dismantled | Built as #1733 for SLPS in 1946. Removed from service late 2019/early 2020 due to extensive corrosion. | |
| 1108 | San Francisco | Built as #1737 for SLPS in 1946. Scrapped late 2019/early 2020 due to structural corrosion. | ||
| 1115 | San Francisco | In storage | Originally #1703 constructed for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1122 | San Diego | Reassigned | Initially built as #1716 and #1728 for SLPS in 1946; later renumbered to #1122 and #1123 by Muni. Sold to Gunnar Henrioulle in 1994, reacquired by Muni in 2005, then transferred to San Diego Trolley's Silver Line. | |
| 1123 | San Diego | |||
| 1125 | San Francisco | Dismantled | Constructed as #1715 for SLPS in 1946. Scrapped late 2019/early 2020 due to corrosion issues. | |
| 1128 | St. Louis Public Service | Stored | Renumbered and repainted as St. Louis #1704 for the Historic Trolley Festival (1982/83). | |
| 1130 | San Francisco | Stored | Built as #1754 for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1139 | San Francisco | Stored | Originally #1725 built for SLPS in 1946. Though considered for disposal in 2018 due to rust concerns, it was retained for potential future use. | |
| 1140 | San Francisco | Transferred | Initially constructed as #1711 for SLPS in 1946. Donated to the National Museum of Transportation in January 2020 for spare parts. | |
| 1146 | San Francisco | Stored | Built as #1763 for SLPS in 1946. Returned to Muni ownership in 2004 after previous relocations. | |
| 1158 | San Francisco | Stored | Manufactured as #1749 for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1160 | San Francisco | Stored | Built as #1761 for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1168 | San Francisco (Landor) | Stored | Originally constructed as #1779 for SLPS in 1946. | |
| 1170 | San Diego | Transferred | Built as #1777 for SLPS in 1946; renumbered as #1170 by Muni. Sold to Henrioulle in 1994, reacquired by Muni in 2005, then reassigned to San Diego Trolley's Silver Line. |
| # | Represented city/system | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2147 | "Philadelphia, Pennsylvania" | "Stored" | "Obtained as a parts source for Philadelphia's PCC fleet; distinguished as the only PCC model ever operated in New Orleans." |
| 4008 &4009 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Dismantled | These were refurbished PCC cars from Pittsburgh Railways Company operated by Port Authority; they served shuttle routes until their retirement in1999. Purchased at auction in2001 and scrapped late2019/early2020 due to structural deterioration. |
Milan "Peter Witt" Trams
These Peter Witt streetcar vehicles were initially operated in Milan, Italy. They retain their original Italian signage, complemented by additional English-language signs.
| Car # | Livery | Status | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1807 | Milan, Italy (Yellow/White) | Active service | |
| 1811 | Milan, Italy (Yellow/White) | Not in service | |
| 1814 | Milan, Italy (Two-tone green) | Active service | |
| 1815 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Active service | |
| 1818 | Milan, Italy (Two-tone green) | Active service | |
| 1834 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Currently being restored | |
| 1856 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Active service | |
| 1859 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Active service | |
| 1888 | Milan, Italy (Two-tone green) | Undergoing repairs | |
| 1893 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Active service | |
| 1895 | Milan, Italy (Orange) | Active service |
San Francisco
This section catalogs streetcars that operated in San Francisco prior to the 1950s under the San Francisco Muni or Market Street Railway.
| Car # | City of origin (paint scheme) | Status | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco (Battleship Gray) | Operational | "No.1" was acquired in 1912 as one of Muni’s earliest streetcars. It was retired in 1951 and preserved for museum display. Following several restorations—including a $1.8 million refurbishment completed in 2009—it resumed operation in October 2012. | |
| 130 | San Francisco (Blue/Gold) | Awaiting restoration | "No.130," built by Jewett Car Company in 1914 and retired in 1958, was converted to a wrecker before being restored to its blue and gold colors in 1983. In 2002, it was dedicated to columnist Herb Caen. | |
| 162 | San Francisco (Wings) | Under repair | "No.162," part of a Jewett order from 1914, was retired in 1958 and sold to the Orange Empire Railway Museum. Muni reacquired it in 2003; restoration was completed by Market Street Railway and Muni by 2008. After being damaged in a collision in January 2014, it was rebuilt and returned to service by April 2018. | |
| 578-S | Market Street Railway | Operational for special events only | "No.578-S," constructed locally by Hammond Car Company in 1896, was converted into a work car following the 1906 earthquake and renumbered accordingly. Restored to its original form in 1956, it has been loaned to the Western Railway Museum but has been recalled regularly since the mid-1980s for Trolley Festivals. | |
| 798 | Market Street Railway (Whiplash Green/White) | Awaiting restoration | "No.798," built at Market Street Railway's Elkton Shops in 1924, was scrapped in 1946 and repurposed as a jewelry store before being reacquired by Muni during the mid-1980s. It is notably the sole surviving streetcar model operated by Maya Angelou. Since 2011, it has been stored at Cameron Beach Yard. |
"Wheels of the World" Trams
This collection features authentic vintage trolleys, trams, and streetcars originating from cities outside San Francisco.
| Car # | City of origin (paint scheme) | Status | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Under restoration | Both double-ended PCC streetcars were manufactured by St. Louis Car Company in 1949 for Philadelphia Suburban Transportation (later SEPTA) and retired in 1982. Purchased from Shore Line Trolley Museum in 2017 for $196,000; Cable Car No.28 was donated back to Shore Line in 2018. Sent to Brookville for refurbishment starting June 2017. | |
| 21 | ||||
| 106 | Moscow/Orel, Russia (Red) | Awaiting restoration | Known as the "Streetcar Named Desire for Peace," this car was presented to Mayor Dianne Feinstein by the Soviet Union. Its last operation was during San Francisco’s streetcar centennial parade in 1992. | |
| 151 | Osaka, Japan | Awaiting restoration | Manufactured by Kawasaki in 1927; arrived in San Francisco in 1988. Restoration took precedence over No.578-J due to sister city relations and its four motors enhancing operational suitability. | |
| 189 | Porto, Portugal | Awaiting restoration | Modeled after a J. G. Brill Company design and built in 1929; purchased in 1984 after participating in San Francisco’s inaugural Historic Trolley Festival of 1983. Last operated in 1987. | |
| 228 | Blackpool, England (Green/White) | Operational | An open-air "boat" style car constructed for Blackpool Transport in 1934; transported to San Francisco in 1984. | |
| 233 | Blackpool, England (Green/White) | Operational | Another open-air "boat" car from Blackpool built in the same year; declared surplus in 2010 and acquired from Lancastrian Transport Trust in 2013. | |
| 351 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Orange/Cream) | Awaiting restoration | Originally designed as an educational trolley; built with rattan seating and wooden trim back in 1926. | |
| 496 | Melbourne, Australia (Green/Beige) | Operational | A W2-class tram first introduced in February 1928; purchased alongside No.586 by Muni in 1984. Regularly runs on weekends along the E Line which requires double-ended cars due to lack of turnaround loops. | |
| 578-J | Kobe/Hiroshima, Japan | Undergoing restoration | Constructed as No.574 for Kobe City Railways in 1927; later transferred to Hiroshima Electric Railway in1971; brought to San Francisco for the1986 Trolley Festival. | |
| 586 | Melbourne, Australia (Green/Beige) | Non-operational | Serves as a parts donor car for No.496; its trucks were refurbished and installed on car No.916 as of February2018. | |
| 737 | Brussels, Belgium | Operational | Originally numbered7037 serving Brussels since1952; arrived San Francisco June2004; repainted reflecting Zurich sister city colors; limited use due to specialized parts and narrow gauge design. | |
| 913 | New Orleans, Louisiana (Green) | Awaiting restoration | Built by Perley Thomas in1923; sold off surplus1964; reacquired by Muni2005. | |
| 916 | Melbourne, Australia (Green/Beige) | Operational | SW6-class tram introduced1946; donated by Victoria State2009; received parts upgrades for E and F line operations by early2018 pending CPUC approval. | |
| 952 | New Orleans, Louisiana (Green) | Under repair | Also built by Perley Thomas1923; retired and repurchased multiple times; leased for San Francisco use since1998. | |
| 3557 | Hamburg, Germany (Red/White) | Awaiting restoration | V6E-class tram constructed1954; retired with Hamburg system closure1978; arrived San Francisco1979 needing major structural modifications for ADA compliance; last operated1992. |
Historical bus fleet
Below is a compilation of buses formerly operated by the SFMTA. Several of these vehicles have been preserved, donated to museums, or sold at auction.
... [Remaining entries omitted for brevity but similarly compressed] ...| Model | Fleet Numbers (Year Manufactured) | Preserved Unit(s) | Quantity | Final Retirement | Image | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neoplan AN440 | 8101 (1999) 8102-8235 (2000) 8301-8371 (2002) |
8350 | 206 | 2021 | A total of 34 units underwent rebuilding during 2010–2011, with an additional 80 refurbished in 2013. Removed from active service in April 2020; subsequently served as backup and for COVID-19 medical transport until officially retired in August 2021. | |
| Orion VII (40' HEV) | 8401 (2006) 8402-8456 (2007) |
8426 | 56 | 2020 | ||
| ETI 14TrSF | 5401-5402 (1999) 5403-5640 (2001–2004) |
5538 | 240 | 2019 | ||
| Neoplan AN460 | 6200-6225 (2000), 6226-6299 (2001), 6401-6424 (2002) |
None | 124 | 2018 | Several units received rebuilds between 2010 and 2011. | |
| NABI 416.12 | 8001-8045 (1999) | None | 45 | 2016 | Units numbered 8008, 8032, and 8042 have been preserved privately. | |
| ETI 15TrSF | 7101 (2000), 7102-7133 (2003) |
None | 33 | 2016 | ||
| New Flyer Industries E60 | 7000-7059 (1992–1994) | 7031 | 60 | 2015 | This was the initial articulated trolleybus fleet; the planned auction of unit #7031 was canceled in 2019. | |
| New Flyer Industries D60 | 9101-9124 (1990–1991) | 9120 | 24 | 2014 | The second articulated bus fleet; intended auction of unit #9120 was withdrawn in 2019. | |
| Gillig Corporation Phantom 40' | 2801–2845 (1993) | 2840 (training only) | 45 | 2013 | Acquired from AC Transit in 2005 for use as a reserve fleet; unit #2840 has been dedicated to training purposes since April 2018. | |
| Orion Bus Industries I Citycruiser | 9001-9045 (1990) | 9010 | 45 | 2008 |
See also
- Bay Area Rapid Transit rolling stock
- Peter Witt streetcar
- US Standard Light Rail Vehicle
- Muni Metro
- Perley A. Thomas
- Jewett Car Company
- W.L. Holman Car Company
External links
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