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| Streetcar Named Desire No. 952 back in its hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. |
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| Newly–acquired car No. 913 being loaded onto a trailer under its own power in 2005 for the trip from Southern California to San Francisco. |
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Both cars built 1923.
Car No. 913 served New Orleans, Louisiana 1923-1964.
Car No. 952 served New Orleans, Louisiana 1923-1964 and 1984-1997.
The most iconic transit vehicle in American literary history is Tennessee Williams’ “Streetcar Named Desire” from New Orleans. Muni currently has two such icons.
Car No. 952 came from New Orleans to San Francisco in 1998 by arrangement between Mayors Willie Brown and Marc Morial. The occasion was the world premier of Andre Previn’s opera of Williams’ novel. While the original intention of the mayors was to convey title of No. 952 to San Francisco, Louisiana state historic preservation officials required that the car be leased instead.
Car No. 952 has proved extremely popular with San Franciscans and visitors, bringing a bit of the flavor of the 'Crescent City' to the City by the Bay and serving as an ambassador on wheels for New Orleans, with displays inside the car celebrating streetcars in New Orleans literature.
Spurred by the desire for a 'Desire' that Muni could own outright, Market Street Railway canvassed rail museums with New Orleans cars that had once served lines like Desire and Canal Streets and found the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Riverside County willing to sell their car No. 913, identical to No. 952, in very good and unaltered condition.
Car No. 913 was purchased for $200,000 appropriated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway Improvement Corporation (SFMRIC). It ran onto the shipping trailer under its own power (photo at right). Tragically, the very day it arrived in San Francisco, its former New Orleans home was being pummeled by Hurricane Katrina. The remaining vintage cars in New Orleans, twins of Nos. 913 and 952, escaped damage, but the new replica cars on the restored Canal Street line were destroyed.
1923—Cars No. 913 and 952 built for New Orleans Public Service, Inc. (NOPSI) by the Perley Thomas car Company. Many cars from this order of 73 still operate in New Orleans today.
1964—After 40 years of New Orleans service on lines including Desire, Canal, and St. Charles, both cars, along with dozens of others, are declared surplus by NOPSI when the Canal Street line closes. Car No. 913 goes to Orange Empire Railway Museum in Riverside County CA; No. 952 goes to a hotel complex in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1984—Car No. 952 reacquired by New Orleans for new Riverfront line, painted red. Retired in 1997 when replica cars built for line.
1998—Car No. 952 leased to Muni, repainted in traditional olive livery, and is an immediate success with public on the F-line.
2005—Car No. 913 purchased by San Francisco for restoration; car No. 952 operates on F-line carrying banners soliciting Katrina relief donations.
Today—Car No. 913 awaiting restoration; car No. 952 continues to operate in San Francisco, to the delight of riders.
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