MUNI | San Francisco | Tales of the Rails

top of page

This site was designed with the

website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

#THEHYDERIDE
YOU WOULD THINK WITH ALL OF MY SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH I WOULD BE DOING A BETTER JOB KEEPING THIS WEBSITE CURRENT

EVERY FRI, SAT AND SUN A SPECIAL CABLE CAR WILL BE OPERATING ON THE HYDE LINE AS A "CHINATOWN SHUTTLE" - MAKING ONE-SEAT ROUND TRIP RIDES FROM HYDE AND BEACH TO CHINATOWN AND BACK

A NEW FEATURE THIS YEAR: YOU CAN TRACK THE CAR!
FIND IT HERE: WHERE IS THE HYDE RIDE

2026 Activities:
We have had some amazing new #cablecarelves join the festivities during the 2025 Holiday Season and they have been instrumental in some of the new projects we have accomplished this year.
In addition to the usual decorating for Chinese New Year and Memorial Day/Fourth of July/America's 250th celebration the "elves" were also asked to decorate cars not only for an AAPI Heritage month kickoff event, but also to kickoff and promote "One City Day" in San Francisco, a day of service lead by the first lady.

As i get back into updating this website i will circle back and highlight some of these activities in more detail

Our "Public" (non-Facebook) Home:

Bringing you stories about MUNI transit life on the streets of San Francisco.

What started off years ago as an annual Christmas decoration project has turned into so much more. We have some great plans for the upcoming year and are hoping you will enjoy the "tales" we share.

I want to extend a big thank you to Val Lupiz, Judy Roubideaux and Traci Cox for the permission to use their photos on this site as well. All rights reserved.

Before we get to #HeritageWeekend2026 on sept 19-20 we have another edition of #thehyderide happening this weekend. It’s going to be another nice one. Come out and join us! #sanfrancisco #cablecars

Before we get to #HeritageWeekend2026 on sept 19-20 we have another edition of #thehyderide happening this weekend. It’s going to be another nice one. Come out and join us! #sanfrancisco #cablecars

#car1 on the pull-in trip back to Cameron Beach Yard

#car1 on the pull-in trip back to Cameron Beach Yard

MUNI’s first streetcar…(”Big Spot” according to some) is taking its turn with operator refresher training in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026
So…being the “native jewel of the fleet” of course it needed to be captured with the #sanfrancisco skyline as the backdrop #streetcars #iphonephotography

MUNI’s first streetcar…(”Big Spot” according to some) is taking its turn with operator refresher training in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026
So…being the “native jewel of the fleet” of course it needed to be captured with the #sanfrancisco skyline as the backdrop #streetcars #iphonephotography

With Bernal Heights providing the scenic backdrop…the sfmta_muni Boat Tram continues lap 2 of today’s operator refresher course exercises in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026 #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

With Bernal Heights providing the scenic backdrop…the sfmta_muni Boat Tram continues lap 2 of today’s operator refresher course exercises in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026 #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

There are few opportunities for this shot…so when you know the Boat Team will be turning there…you wait….
Operator refresher training continues for #muniheritageweekend2026 #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

There are few opportunities for this shot…so when you know the Boat Team will be turning there…you wait….
Operator refresher training continues for #muniheritageweekend2026 #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

One going out...#HydeRide is inbound....
on the Hyde Ride we talk about how the cars used (53,55,"Big 19" and 42) are too big to fit on the turntable..This is why they need to use the crossover and only stop at the loading area. This is also why these cars can't go to Market and Powell. Imagine what "fun" could be had with a crossover there! (in addition to how helpful it could be just in every day service!)

there is one more month of #TheHydeRide - we hope you have had a chance to enjoy the experience. a HUGE thank you to all the @sfmsr docents who have volunteered their time to enhance the rider experience.

One going out...#HydeRide is inbound....
on the Hyde Ride we talk about how the cars used (53,55,"Big 19" and 42) are too big to fit on the turntable..This is why they need to use the crossover and only stop at the loading area. This is also why these cars can't go to Market and Powell. Imagine what "fun" could be had with a crossover there! (in addition to how helpful it could be just in every day service!)

there is one more month of #TheHydeRide - we hope you have had a chance to enjoy the experience. a HUGE thank you to all the @sfmsr docents who have volunteered their time to enhance the rider experience.

Taking advantage of today’s featured appearance of Car 42 on #theHydeRide. It will only be out one more time next month as it closes for the year.

Please don’t forget there will be a bonus edition tomorrow..Labor Day Monday…

#sanfrancisco #cablecars

Taking advantage of today’s featured appearance of Car 42 on #theHydeRide. It will only be out one more time next month as it closes for the year.

Please don’t forget there will be a bonus edition tomorrow..Labor Day Monday…

#sanfrancisco #cablecars

#fridayvibes
The Boat Tram was out again for operator refresher training and I was able to catch them for a short ride
#muniheritageweekend2026 is fast approaching

#fridayvibes
The Boat Tram was out again for operator refresher training and I was able to catch them for a short ride
#muniheritageweekend2026 is fast approaching

Live from the @sfmta_muni boat tram during operator refresher training

Live from the @sfmta_muni boat tram during operator refresher training

One of the most popular streetcars in #sanfrancisco continues to be the Boat
Car 233. It was acquired in late 2013 and continues to be very popular.
It is expected to be part of the #muniheritageweekend2026 roster #streetcars #iphonephotography

One of the most popular streetcars in #sanfrancisco continues to be the Boat
Car 233. It was acquired in late 2013 and continues to be very popular.
It is expected to be part of the #muniheritageweekend2026 roster #streetcars #iphonephotography

It’s the first weekend of sept…so you know what that means on #thehyderide…#doubletrouble
big 19 will hold down Saturday’s detail…with 42 on Sunday…
And a BONUS Hyde ride day on Labor Day Monday!

Don’t forget you can track the “car du jour” starting tomorrow at https://tinyurl.com/thehyderide

It’s the first weekend of sept…so you know what that means on #thehyderide…#doubletrouble
big 19 will hold down Saturday’s detail…with 42 on Sunday…
And a BONUS Hyde ride day on Labor Day Monday!

Don’t forget you can track the “car du jour” starting tomorrow at https://tinyurl.com/thehyderide

Operator refresher training you say? Let me take you back to July of 2012…
Back when the vintage fleet could utilize the K/L/M lines.
And of course when I get tipped off to the activity happening…you know I went to capture it! #streetcars #sanfrancisco #fmarket

Looking forward to #muniheritageweekend2026

Operator refresher training you say? Let me take you back to July of 2012…
Back when the vintage fleet could utilize the K/L/M lines.
And of course when I get tipped off to the activity happening…you know I went to capture it! #streetcars #sanfrancisco #fmarket

Looking forward to #muniheritageweekend2026

continuing on the @sfmta_muni "flashback" tour...i take you back to Muni Heritage Weekend 2013. In this photo you not only see 162 and "the Dinky" but also Car 130...
@sfmsr #sanfrancisco #streetcars #fmarket

continuing on the @sfmta_muni "flashback" tour...i take you back to Muni Heritage Weekend 2013. In this photo you not only see 162 and "the Dinky" but also Car 130...
@sfmsr #sanfrancisco #streetcars #fmarket

When the street is blocked so #thehyderide becomes #themasonride (and #big19 has to share the spotlight with the 2 cars decorated by unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #cablecars

When the street is blocked so #thehyderide becomes #themasonride (and #big19 has to share the spotlight with the 2 cars decorated by unionsquaresf #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #cablecars

Baltimore(1063), Newark(1070), and Cleveland(1075) are all represented in their respective tribute paint schemes on sfmta_muni PCCs at Beach and Jones on Sat Aug 29 #iphonephotography #sanfrancisco #streetcars #FMarket

Baltimore(1063), Newark(1070), and Cleveland(1075) are all represented in their respective tribute paint schemes on sfmta_muni PCCs at Beach and Jones on Sat Aug 29 #iphonephotography #sanfrancisco #streetcars #FMarket

Melbourne Car 496 has joined the “operator refresher” party in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026 #iphonephotography #streetcars #sanfrancisco

Melbourne Car 496 has joined the “operator refresher” party in advance of #muniheritageweekend2026 #iphonephotography #streetcars #sanfrancisco

#muniheritageweekend2026 preparation continues

#muniheritageweekend2026 preparation continues

It’s Thursday! You know what to expect from me…
It’s your weekly reminder to get out and enjoy #thehyderide
Also this is the last few days to get your photos in of patriotically decorated car 55(which has been a hit all season!) as the #cablecarelves will be undecorating it next week

It’s Thursday! You know what to expect from me…
It’s your weekly reminder to get out and enjoy #thehyderide
Also this is the last few days to get your photos in of patriotically decorated car 55(which has been a hit all season!) as the #cablecarelves will be undecorating it next week

Today’s “chronicles of 162” are brought to you with an assist by lime - crucial to get ahead of your photo subject :)
#iphonephotography #sanfrancisco #FMarket #streetcars #sanfrancisco

Today’s “chronicles of 162” are brought to you with an assist by lime - crucial to get ahead of your photo subject :)
#iphonephotography #sanfrancisco #FMarket #streetcars #sanfrancisco

In anticipation of #MuniHeritageWeekend and the hopeful return of sfmta_muni Car 162 I will bring you some throwback moments of the car before the accident (and I have a post on that coming)

This was taken in 2012. sfmsr used to decorate 2 streetcars for the holidays (both seen here)

In anticipation of #MuniHeritageWeekend and the hopeful return of sfmta_muni Car 162 I will bring you some throwback moments of the car before the accident (and I have a post on that coming)

This was taken in 2012. sfmsr used to decorate 2 streetcars for the holidays (both seen here)

After obliging me with obligatory skyline view photo op, sfmta_muni car 162 continues on its Sat evening pull-in trip

After obliging me with obligatory skyline view photo op, sfmta_muni car 162 continues on its Sat evening pull-in trip

Sometimes moments tracking #thehyderide hit just right #railfankarma #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #Big19

Sometimes moments tracking #thehyderide hit just right #railfankarma #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #Big19

This is a traffic jam I don’t mind being in.

This is a traffic jam I don’t mind being in.

Happy Friday…I bring you today’s dosage of sfmta_muni Car 162 digging in to its required burn-in mileage and operator training
#sanfrancisco #FMarket #streetcars #iphonephotography

Happy Friday…I bring you today’s dosage of sfmta_muni Car 162 digging in to its required burn-in mileage and operator training
#sanfrancisco #FMarket #streetcars #iphonephotography

#sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

#sanfrancisco #iphonephotography #streetcars

With all the hoopla of 162 starting its burn-in mileage this week I forgot to post my weekly reminder about #thehyderide in #sanfrancisco
Don’t forget you can track its whereabouts at https://tinyurl.com/thehyderide

With all the hoopla of 162 starting its burn-in mileage this week I forgot to post my weekly reminder about #thehyderide in #sanfrancisco
Don’t forget you can track its whereabouts at https://tinyurl.com/thehyderide

Last teaser of the day….
One of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken is from a Friends of Philadelphia trolleys charter back in the day at this spot
As luck would have it today with good #railfankarma I caught their last trip of the day #iphonephotography #streetcars #FMarket #sanfrancisco

Last teaser of the day….
One of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken is from a Friends of Philadelphia trolleys charter back in the day at this spot
As luck would have it today with good #railfankarma I caught their last trip of the day #iphonephotography #streetcars #FMarket #sanfrancisco

The #1 thing in my “about me” section i say is I am a very fortunate Bay Area transit photographer. Today is one of those days.

I haven’t seen this car up close and personal in like 13 years. It’s a sight to behold!!!

There aren’t enough kudos for the sfmta_muni maintenance staff in all the work they are doing to get this car back on the road again.

Yes I know Heritage Weekend is around the corner but I am not speculating on the status of the car next month. This is encouraging though.

#iphonephotography #streetcars #FMarket #sanfrancisco

The #1 thing in my “about me” section i say is I am a very fortunate Bay Area transit photographer. Today is one of those days.

I haven’t seen this car up close and personal in like 13 years. It’s a sight to behold!!!

There aren’t enough kudos for the sfmta_muni maintenance staff in all the work they are doing to get this car back on the road again.

Yes I know Heritage Weekend is around the corner but I am not speculating on the status of the car next month. This is encouraging though.

#iphonephotography #streetcars #FMarket #sanfrancisco

It’s been like 13 years since that fateful Sat afternoon. I was actually headed downtown for a ride and heard about what happened…
This a sight to see!!! I am making ZERO presumptions or guesses of what the next steps are (like passenger service) but this is HUGE!
A major shoutout to the @sfmta_muni shop staff at Green Division as I know they have done a lot of work!!! #Streetcars #sanfrancisco #fmarket

It’s been like 13 years since that fateful Sat afternoon. I was actually headed downtown for a ride and heard about what happened…
This a sight to see!!! I am making ZERO presumptions or guesses of what the next steps are (like passenger service) but this is HUGE!
A major shoutout to the @sfmta_muni shop staff at Green Division as I know they have done a lot of work!!! #Streetcars #sanfrancisco #fmarket

Tried to find a new angle for today’s capture of #thehyderide
#cablecars #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography

Tried to find a new angle for today’s capture of #thehyderide
#cablecars #sanfrancisco #iphonephotography

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@talesoftherails

bottom of page