Fine and Full - What's up with Jay and Anastasia

I had read somewhere (I think in a display at MOHAI) that the Madison Valley neighborhood we now live in used to be served by a rail line.

As you’d imagine (because I like, and reguarly use, public transport, and love trains), I am often wondering what happened to it—why we no longer have a train running down to our neighborhood?

I finally tried to track down some information, and found this nice web page on the history of the Madison Street Cable Railway. It’s got some cool pictures too!

Ah, it was a cable car system from way back! Cable car systems can’t carry as many people as buses or electric trains, so I have a little more sympathy that it was replaced by a bus system. It’s not totally stupid / criminal, as with the dismantling of the Pacific Electric Railyway in Los Angeles.

When I was growing up in LA, my grandparents used to tell me stories about how great it was to ride the streetcars around LA. And, after riding the MUNI trains daily in San Francisco, I can confirm that streetcars are a fantastic way to get around a city.

Looking at that picture of the Madison Street Cable railway: I’ll definitely be wishing I were on one of those tomorrow, rather than on the bus!