As I remember how things were originally: The 3rd Street station was built as a temporary structure to serve as the rail portal for the Pan Pacific Exposition but it stood for decades afterward. The tracks that left the terminal originally continued straight instead of turning so sharply and heading for the tunnels as it does today. This first route went around the hill and behind it, then extending to a joining of about halfway the route to San Jose. Because the first route had significant elevation gain it was abandoned by Harriman for the flatter shoreline route via the tunnels. Seventh Street was not the first route out of town.
Excellent fun as always. As a former movie camera assistant, looking at these "dailies" and the seemingly endless repetition, I wish to make sure people know doing as many takes as needed is the way it is done. As an audience, you simply do not see the work, nor are you supposed to.
4:36 A Chesapeake and Ohio Railway boxcar sits far from home rails across the tracks at the lumberyard. Definitely prefer the "then" views. Thanks, Speed Graphic.
Many thanks, Mr. Boylan. Superb stuff as usual. My first job after college was with the SPRR, Signal Division. Didn't last too long, but I still treasure my old paycheck stubs that read SPTC on the header. San Francisco and SP were linked at the hip.
The front view of the car 1:23 is a 1949 Mercury, rear view at 2:46, same. Definitely a commuter train headed toward 3rd & Townsend. Two huge ship building companies, Bethlehem & Pacific Ship Repair were nearby, hence the Glidden Paint factory (#4). Ships take a lot of paint. At 2:48 there are two GS-4's in background in Daylight livery, but a better view at 5:39 as the hand held sign is lowered, here also is a view of the "tank", a water tank that is shown on the map at 0:32, and at 5:43 is an SP Boxcar probably lettered "automobile loading only" since cars were shipped in boxcars in those days. I would say the motor cycles are Harleys @5:43, but I'm no expert. This is a great piece of film for me. I worked in this area in the 60's.One other note, the Embarcadero Freeway which literally ran down the Embarcadero was (thankfully) torn down in in the after the earthquake of 1989.
Many of the crossing guards/flagmen had been injured on other railroad jobs and given the less strenuous crossing job. Some had lost fingers in switching accidents. Less disability insurance back then.
That’s not the Embarcadero Fwy. It was demolished after the 1989 earthquake. What you are looking at is the end of I-280. Going straight on it takes you to 6th St. Bear right and you end up at 3rd and Townsend and the Giants ballpark.
Certainly looks like 1940s. Some fascinating contrasts between the new streamlined style and some prewar relics that no doubt had their lives extended by the war
That's cool that you did a "This is what it looks like now' blurb. 👍
As I remember how things were originally: The 3rd Street station was built as a temporary structure to serve as the rail portal for the Pan Pacific Exposition but it stood for decades afterward. The tracks that left the terminal originally continued straight instead of turning so sharply and heading for the tunnels as it does today. This first route went around the hill and behind it, then extending to a joining of about halfway the route to San Jose. Because the first route had significant elevation gain it was abandoned by Harriman for the flatter shoreline route via the tunnels. Seventh Street was not the first route out of town.
Excellent fun as always. As a former movie camera assistant, looking at these "dailies" and the seemingly endless repetition, I wish to make sure people know doing as many takes as needed is the way it is done. As an audience, you simply do not see the work, nor are you supposed to.
WOW! That active train track with a road right next to it with no barrier is something you won't see these days.
Actually, they do exist. Only where absolutely necessary for obvious reasons.
ua-cam.com/video/wUX9kr4D1Xg/v-deo.html
4:36 A Chesapeake and Ohio Railway boxcar sits far from home rails across the tracks at the lumberyard.
Definitely prefer the "then" views. Thanks, Speed Graphic.
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for the narration, that added component is what makes these videos really standout.
Many thanks, Mr. Boylan. Superb stuff as usual. My first job after college was with the SPRR, Signal Division. Didn't last too long, but I still treasure my old paycheck stubs that read SPTC on the header. San Francisco and SP were linked at the hip.
Nice! Thank you for the current view and map at the end!
Fascinating....
Nice sunny day in old San Fran. Thanks for posting!
This footage was used in the Columbia Pictures' "Mr. Soft Touch" with Glenn Ford (1949).
Thanks for the info!
I love your narration. Thank you!
The front view of the car 1:23 is a 1949 Mercury, rear view at 2:46, same. Definitely a commuter train headed toward 3rd & Townsend. Two huge ship building companies, Bethlehem & Pacific Ship Repair were nearby, hence the Glidden Paint factory (#4). Ships take a lot of paint. At 2:48 there are two GS-4's in background in Daylight livery, but a better view at 5:39 as the hand held sign is lowered, here also is a view of the "tank", a water tank that is shown on the map at 0:32, and at 5:43 is an SP Boxcar probably lettered "automobile loading only" since cars were shipped in boxcars in those days. I would say the motor cycles are Harleys @5:43, but I'm no expert. This is a great piece of film for me. I worked in this area in the 60's.One other note, the Embarcadero Freeway which literally ran down the Embarcadero was (thankfully) torn down in in the after the earthquake of 1989.
Many of the crossing guards/flagmen had been injured on other railroad jobs and given the less strenuous crossing job. Some had lost fingers in switching accidents. Less disability insurance back then.
Did or can anyone ID the motorcycle at 4:25? Great collection of clips of mid century San Fransisco. I guess a few more motorcycles at the end.
That’s not the Embarcadero Fwy. It was demolished after the 1989 earthquake. What you are looking at is the end of I-280. Going straight on it takes you to 6th St. Bear right and you end up at 3rd and Townsend and the Giants ballpark.
Whoops. Thanks. Shows you that I'm not a resident.
Certainly looks like 1940s. Some fascinating contrasts between the new streamlined style and some prewar relics that no doubt had their lives extended by the war
Or maybe the very early '50s.
Лайк!
I'd love to know, what they anticipated in 194xx for business and tax revenues, and what they actually realized in 195xx.