This car was one of Muni’s workhouses for 44 years, but is lucky to be here today. Built in 1914, part of an order of 125 cars to expand Muni service for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in the Marina District, car No. 130 operated on almost every Muni streetcar line during its initial career.

Car No. 130 was the last 'Iron Monster' to leave passenger service, in 1958. Muni shop foreman Charlie Smallwood saved it from the scrap heap by hiding it in the back of Geneva carhouse while its mates met their fates. He then talked his bosses into making it a 'wrecker'. Stripped bare and painted yellow, it spent the next 25 years towing its replacements—PCC streetcars—back to the barn when they broke down. It was fully restored by Muni craft workers in 1983 for the Historic Trolley Festival, including original seats, which Charlie had kept all those years in his basement...just in case! The saga of this car has inspired a children’s book, 'Lucky 130' by Mae Silver, available at our Online Store here.

1914—Built for Muni in Ohio by Jewett Car Company.

1914-1958—Used in regular service on virtually every Muni streetcar line. Painted in all three Muni liveries used during its service life, including the green and cream 'Wings' in the 1950s (pictured at right)

1958—Retired from daily service. Seats removed, equipment installed to allow car to serve as Geneva Division wrecker. (Only two of the 125 cars of this type survive. Market Street Railway acquired car No. 162 from Orange Empire Railway Museum in Southern California in 2002 and gifted it to Muni.)

1983—Restored by Muni craftsworkers to 1939 appearance, with blue and gold paint (pictured at top) to participate in San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival.

1984-87—Operated summers in subsequent TrolleyFestivals.

1995—Begins serving F-Market line, built as result of successful Trolley Festivals.

2000—Begins serving F-line extension on Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Today—Still in regular operation, perhaps the most durable streetcar in San Francisco history.

Community Photos

Share your photos and stories of car No. 130 in our flickr community.