I want to use this site to share my knowledge about and interest in cable cars (also known as cable tramways). I want to keep it simple. I welcome input from any source, especially about cable cars in cities other than San Francisco. I hope to build this page up gradually as time permits. I welcome information, photographs, and suggestions.
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NewsCOVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-December-2022
COVID-19 infections are rising, along with infections from the flu and RSV. Some people say we are experiencing a "Tripledemic". I had surgery in November and I am still recuperating. I hope I can return to teaching in January. The Giants had a strange situation, pulling out of signing a free agent the day they were supposed to close the deal. There was concern after his physical. He made a deal with the Mets. People lambasted the Giants for their stupidity, but the Mets, concerned about his health, have not signed him, either. Ukraine continues to fight the Russian agressors. Cable Car Service Cancelled - 31-December-2022
Cable Car Cleanup - 17-December-2022
Taking a Break - 09-December-2022
While recovering from an operation and dealing with a death in the family, I am taking a short break. A Big Fat Family Christmas - 02-December-2022
COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-October-2022
COVID-19 infections are down, but new sub-variants are on their way. I had two more procedures this month looking for a potential solution for my shortness of breath. I hope to have an operation in November. I was supposed to start teaching again at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, but first we have to fix my medical problem. It is nice to see Dusty Baker's Astros in the World Series. I keep thinking of them as a National League team.
Ukraine is holding its own. Putin keeps threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons.
75th Anniversary of Saving the Cable Cars - 26-October-2022
On Wednesday, 26-October-2022, Muni, the Market Street Railway and the San Francisco MTA held a ceremony to honor "women, led by Friedel Klussmann, who kept the Powell cable cars on track in 1947, and celebrating women's civic leadership today. Mayor London Breed and other civic leaders boarded a cable car at Powell and Market and rode it to Hyde and Beach to rededicate the turntable to Friedel Klussmann. Learn more about her leadership in saving the cable cars in 1947 in Walter Rice and Val Lupiz's article The Cable Car Lady & the Mayor. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 30-September-2022
COVID-19 infections are down, but some people are still being hospitalized with complications. I had two procedures this month looking for the cause and potential solution of my shortness of breath. I was supposed to start teaching again at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica, but first we have to fix my medical problem. The Giants are out of it, but they have brought up some interesting players. The team might be able to make it to .500.
Ukraine launched a counter-offensive and the Russian army is in disarray. Putin has called up the reserves and may institute conscription. Some people in Russia are protesting.
Gerry Graham, RIP - 06-September-2022
COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-August-2022
I see fewer people wearing masks, even in crowded places like baseball games. The general trends of cases, deaths, hospitalization seem to be going down. The Giants have gotten some of their injured players back, but are still performing unevenly. I am getting ready to start teaching again at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. I am having trouble with shortness of breath. I'm seeing the doctor next week.
It has been six months since Russia started its war against Ukraine. This must be deeply humiliating for Putin and his helpers. He is looking at using 100,000 mercenaries from North Korea. Fred Lyon, RIP - 22-August-2022
Fred Lyon, one of the best San Francisco photographers, has died. Among the circles in which I travel, he was particularly well known for his transit photos. Thank you to Fred Lyons and his wife for publishing so many photos in recent years. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-July-2022
The highly contagious BA 4 and BA 5 subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron variant are driving up infections and hospitalization. BART has resumed its mask requirement. The Giants, who have had many injuries, were swept in a road trip to Los Angeles and Arizona, but won the first home game against the Cubs.
Church attendance may be picking up. The new pandemic is MonkeyPox.
Ukraine continues to fight the Russian invasion. The invasion helped Sweden and Finland decide to join NATO.
COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 30-June-2022
Some sources say that variants of the COVID-19 Omicron variant could potentially infect everyone in the Bay Area. Some extended care places are reimposing lockdowns. Attendance may be going up a bit at mass. The Giants are struggling. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-May-2022
We are in the midst of another COVID-19 surge. Three family members have tested positive this week. The US passed one million covid deaths. The Giants have had a bad stretch in May.
I received my second Pfizer booster shot.
Val Lupiz Makes the News - 30-May-2022 Gripman Val Lupiz was the subject of a story by Joe Rosato, Jr that aired on NBC Bay Area: Filipino-Japanese Cable Car Gripman Has a Grip on San Francisco's History. The story was part of a series about Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month. Val talks about the origin of his love for cable cars and about his reviving the art of decorating cable cars for special events. This year he has decorated a car for AAPI Heritage Month. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 30-April-2022
There is a new rise in TrumpVirus infections, but most counties and many public transit agencies in California have lifted their mask mandates. Good Shepherd Church in Pacifica is stopping mass in the gym, the radio broadcast and the livestream. I subbed for two full days at Good Shepherd School in Pacifica. The Giants are doing well even though they have lost a bunch of people to injuries and Covid. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-March-2022
A new TrumpVirus variant is spreading in other countries. Most California counties have lifted their mask mandates. At Good Shepherd Church, they removed the signs that limited people to every other pew. At the school, masks for students were made optional. The lockout was settled, but Spring Training began late and the season will begin one week later than planned. At Good Shepherd Church, they removed the signs that limited people to every other pew.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has lasted longer than a month. Russian advances have ceased, but war crimes have continued. Charles Gertsbacher, RIP - 31-March-2022 I was sad to learn about the death of former conductor Charles Gertsbacher on 08-February-2022. On 12-Aug-1984, gripman Ray McCann and conductor Charles Gertsbacher were taking a full load of passengers up the Hyde Street hill when a suicidal driver drove down the wrong side of the street at high speed and hit the cable car head-on. McCann was knocked off his feet and the car rolled backwards down the hill. Gertsbacher fought through the crowd of passengers and found McCann dazed and bleeding on the floor. Together, they pulled the emergency brake and stopped the car. The driver died, but many others would have, too, had it not been for the heroic action of the gripman and conductor. They both received medals from the US Department of Transportation. McCann and Gertsbacher both reported to the car barn the next morning despite their injuries. They continued to work together for many years. Cable Car Outage - 29-March-2022 An equipmment problem shut down the whole system in the morning. The Powell/Mason line remained down all day. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 28-February-2022
The Omicron variant of the TrumpVirus appears to have peaked. Most of the counties in California are revising their mask mandates. The baseball owners have locked out the players, so Spring Training has been delayed.
Russia has invaded Ukraine. I hope President Putin has made a big mistake.
Congratulations to Catrena Brown - 18-February-2022 Catrena Brown became only the fourth woman to operate the grip on a cable car. I wish her a safe and happy career. Car 8 Rebuild Completed - 10-February-2022 Powell Street car 8, originally built in 1893-4 by Carter Brothers and rebuilt in 1958, was again rebuilt from 2018 to 2021. Testing of the refurbished car began in February. Talk About Cable Cars - 02-February-2022
As part of Catholic Schools Week, Good Shepherd School in Pacifica had a Friends of Good Shepherd day. They asked parents and other members of the community to talk about jobs, life experiences and hobbies. I spoke to the Sixth Grade about the history of public transit in San Francisco and about cable cars. The kids asked good questions. The next day I was surprised to receive thank you notes with many wonderful drawings of cable cars. Cars Decorated for Black History Month - 31-January-2022 This year for, the first time, two Powell Street cars were decorated to celebrate Black History Month. Cars Decorated for Lunar New Year - 31-January-2022 Val Lupiz and his generous crew decorated Powell Street cars 11 and 16 and California Street car 49 to celebrate Chinese New Year. 49 was also decorated to celebrate the Forty-Niners making it to the conference championship game. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 31-January-2022
The Omicron variant of the TrumpVirus is the main source of infection in
the United States. The hospitalization and death rates seem to have peaked.
Most of the deaths are occurring with people who were not inoculated.
I had my first COVID-19 test. Negative. COVID-19 Pandemic Continues - 01-January-2022
The Omicron variant of the TrumpVirus rapidly became the major source of infection in the United States. The hospitalization and death rates are spiking. Most of the deaths are occurring with people who were not inoculated. We had 5pm Christmas Eve mass in the gym. On the day after, we went to mass by watching the 11am live stream. I have been teaching coding to my wife's Third Graders at Good Shepherd School as a volunteer. In the new year, I will be teaching coding to Kindergarten through Fourth. Barry Bonds is on the regular Hall of Fame ballot for the last time. 2023 Anniversaries
175 years ago - 1848
150 years ago - 1873
150 years ago - 1873
125 years ago - 1898
New York Giants record: 77-73, 7th place. Managers: Bill Joice, Cap Anson (22 games), Bill Joice again.
100 years ago - 1923
New York Giants record: 93-61, 1st place. Manager: John McGraw. Defeated New York Yankees 4-0-1 for the second straight year.
75 years ago - 1948
New York Giants record: 81-73, 4th place. Manager: Mel Ott. The team had terrible pitching, but was known as "the Windowbreakers" because of their power. They hit 55 home runs in July. They hit 221 for the season.
50 years ago - 1973
50 years ago - 1973
San Francisco Giants record: 81-73, 5th place. Manager: Charlie Fox. 25 years ago - 1998 25 years ago - 1998 San Francisco Giants record: 90-72, 1st place. Manager: Dusty Baker. Won National League West. E816
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Last updated 01-November-2022