Cambridge H. Lutèce
@camlutece.bsky.social
Your friendly neighborhood Bay Area trolley guy! Amateur transit historian, freelance journalist, and Western Railway Museum docent & social media manager.
On October 8th, 1938, the first "Red Train" ran over the SF Bay Bridge!
Packed with company officials, two Red Trains tested the Bridge's new 1200V catenary. Lacking a track connection to the Bridge, Key System #1000 (a former SP loco) towed the two cars over 600V territory until the bridge.
Packed with company officials, two Red Trains tested the Bridge's new 1200V catenary. Lacking a track connection to the Bridge, Key System #1000 (a former SP loco) towed the two cars over 600V territory until the bridge.
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 PM
On October 8th, 1938, the first "Red Train" ran over the SF Bay Bridge!
Packed with company officials, two Red Trains tested the Bridge's new 1200V catenary. Lacking a track connection to the Bridge, Key System #1000 (a former SP loco) towed the two cars over 600V territory until the bridge.
Packed with company officials, two Red Trains tested the Bridge's new 1200V catenary. Lacking a track connection to the Bridge, Key System #1000 (a former SP loco) towed the two cars over 600V territory until the bridge.
Finding 'eastern' locos on the west coast were uncommon, but not impossible.
In the San Joaquin Valley, ex-Boston & Maine 2-8-4 locomotives could be seen on the Southern Pacific. Bought in 1945, SP #3500-3509 were the SP's only "Berkshires," acquired for high postwar traffic.
A long way from home.
In the San Joaquin Valley, ex-Boston & Maine 2-8-4 locomotives could be seen on the Southern Pacific. Bought in 1945, SP #3500-3509 were the SP's only "Berkshires," acquired for high postwar traffic.
A long way from home.
December 3, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Finding 'eastern' locos on the west coast were uncommon, but not impossible.
In the San Joaquin Valley, ex-Boston & Maine 2-8-4 locomotives could be seen on the Southern Pacific. Bought in 1945, SP #3500-3509 were the SP's only "Berkshires," acquired for high postwar traffic.
A long way from home.
In the San Joaquin Valley, ex-Boston & Maine 2-8-4 locomotives could be seen on the Southern Pacific. Bought in 1945, SP #3500-3509 were the SP's only "Berkshires," acquired for high postwar traffic.
A long way from home.
Although preliminary work began earlier, construction of Napa's interurban station started around April 24th, 1905.
Built by Napa local E.W. Doughty and firm, the station was finished by July 4th, 1905, just in time for the opening of the electric Vallejo, Benicia, & Napa Valley RR!
c. 10/9/1906
Built by Napa local E.W. Doughty and firm, the station was finished by July 4th, 1905, just in time for the opening of the electric Vallejo, Benicia, & Napa Valley RR!
c. 10/9/1906
December 2, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Although preliminary work began earlier, construction of Napa's interurban station started around April 24th, 1905.
Built by Napa local E.W. Doughty and firm, the station was finished by July 4th, 1905, just in time for the opening of the electric Vallejo, Benicia, & Napa Valley RR!
c. 10/9/1906
Built by Napa local E.W. Doughty and firm, the station was finished by July 4th, 1905, just in time for the opening of the electric Vallejo, Benicia, & Napa Valley RR!
c. 10/9/1906
"Napa, CA Interurban Station — 1906."
Proudly standing at 3rd & Soscol, the Napa Valley Route's iconic Mission style station was just over a year old in this photo. From 1905-1937, it served interurban riders heading up and down Napa Valley.
Today, it survives as a house, albeit relocated.
Proudly standing at 3rd & Soscol, the Napa Valley Route's iconic Mission style station was just over a year old in this photo. From 1905-1937, it served interurban riders heading up and down Napa Valley.
Today, it survives as a house, albeit relocated.
December 2, 2025 at 4:54 AM
"Napa, CA Interurban Station — 1906."
Proudly standing at 3rd & Soscol, the Napa Valley Route's iconic Mission style station was just over a year old in this photo. From 1905-1937, it served interurban riders heading up and down Napa Valley.
Today, it survives as a house, albeit relocated.
Proudly standing at 3rd & Soscol, the Napa Valley Route's iconic Mission style station was just over a year old in this photo. From 1905-1937, it served interurban riders heading up and down Napa Valley.
Today, it survives as a house, albeit relocated.
Would be nice to see the original San Jose Railroads cars brought out, but I remember hearing their trolley poles aren't kind to the catenary.
Splendid to see the Holiday Trolley ressurected again though!
Splendid to see the Holiday Trolley ressurected again though!
December 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Would be nice to see the original San Jose Railroads cars brought out, but I remember hearing their trolley poles aren't kind to the catenary.
Splendid to see the Holiday Trolley ressurected again though!
Splendid to see the Holiday Trolley ressurected again though!
Wheels grinding, sparks flying, and motors whining, the massive "Mystery Excursion" crawls the tight corral loop in Colusa, on the Sacramento Northern.
This Cal-Nevada RR Historical Society excursion left Oakland at 7:50AM to tour the humble Colusa Branch, six interurban cars long!
c. 5/8/1938
This Cal-Nevada RR Historical Society excursion left Oakland at 7:50AM to tour the humble Colusa Branch, six interurban cars long!
c. 5/8/1938
December 1, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Wheels grinding, sparks flying, and motors whining, the massive "Mystery Excursion" crawls the tight corral loop in Colusa, on the Sacramento Northern.
This Cal-Nevada RR Historical Society excursion left Oakland at 7:50AM to tour the humble Colusa Branch, six interurban cars long!
c. 5/8/1938
This Cal-Nevada RR Historical Society excursion left Oakland at 7:50AM to tour the humble Colusa Branch, six interurban cars long!
c. 5/8/1938
Crawling over the Butte Slough Trestle, a chartered Western Pacific "Zephyrette" heads down the Sacramento Northern's Colusa Branch.
This BAERA excursion was the first trip since 1940 where "passengers" rode to Colusa. The decaying branch would be abandoned around 1976.
c. 3/26/1960
This BAERA excursion was the first trip since 1940 where "passengers" rode to Colusa. The decaying branch would be abandoned around 1976.
c. 3/26/1960
November 20, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Crawling over the Butte Slough Trestle, a chartered Western Pacific "Zephyrette" heads down the Sacramento Northern's Colusa Branch.
This BAERA excursion was the first trip since 1940 where "passengers" rode to Colusa. The decaying branch would be abandoned around 1976.
c. 3/26/1960
This BAERA excursion was the first trip since 1940 where "passengers" rode to Colusa. The decaying branch would be abandoned around 1976.
c. 3/26/1960
"And we shall brave eternity as though
eyes looked on us in which we would seem fair." — Alan Seeger
Resting in the public eye, the silent husk of Santa Fe #2925 is a prominent icon in Old Sacramento. The sturdy 4-8-4 "Northern" has not expelled a breath in decades.
It probably never will, again.
eyes looked on us in which we would seem fair." — Alan Seeger
Resting in the public eye, the silent husk of Santa Fe #2925 is a prominent icon in Old Sacramento. The sturdy 4-8-4 "Northern" has not expelled a breath in decades.
It probably never will, again.
November 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
"And we shall brave eternity as though
eyes looked on us in which we would seem fair." — Alan Seeger
Resting in the public eye, the silent husk of Santa Fe #2925 is a prominent icon in Old Sacramento. The sturdy 4-8-4 "Northern" has not expelled a breath in decades.
It probably never will, again.
eyes looked on us in which we would seem fair." — Alan Seeger
Resting in the public eye, the silent husk of Santa Fe #2925 is a prominent icon in Old Sacramento. The sturdy 4-8-4 "Northern" has not expelled a breath in decades.
It probably never will, again.
Went to Sacramento on a date.
Wandered around Downtown and Old Town like a tourist, eating fish n chips, cookies, and way too much candy along the way.
If we do not stop to smell the roses, how will we ever know life?
Wandered around Downtown and Old Town like a tourist, eating fish n chips, cookies, and way too much candy along the way.
If we do not stop to smell the roses, how will we ever know life?
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Went to Sacramento on a date.
Wandered around Downtown and Old Town like a tourist, eating fish n chips, cookies, and way too much candy along the way.
If we do not stop to smell the roses, how will we ever know life?
Wandered around Downtown and Old Town like a tourist, eating fish n chips, cookies, and way too much candy along the way.
If we do not stop to smell the roses, how will we ever know life?
The vibes at my college are on point today
November 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The vibes at my college are on point today
Nothing screams Amtrak like being on time until being stopped a half-mile from your station by technical issues
November 16, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Nothing screams Amtrak like being on time until being stopped a half-mile from your station by technical issues
Once, the Key System almost built an electric railway to Richmond!
Opened in late 1912, the Westbrae Line was to be the first part of a route to Richmond. Company turmoil in 1915 killed it, leaving overbuilt catenary poles, wide ROWs, and a short branch to nowhere.
It would be abandoned in 1941.
Opened in late 1912, the Westbrae Line was to be the first part of a route to Richmond. Company turmoil in 1915 killed it, leaving overbuilt catenary poles, wide ROWs, and a short branch to nowhere.
It would be abandoned in 1941.
November 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Once, the Key System almost built an electric railway to Richmond!
Opened in late 1912, the Westbrae Line was to be the first part of a route to Richmond. Company turmoil in 1915 killed it, leaving overbuilt catenary poles, wide ROWs, and a short branch to nowhere.
It would be abandoned in 1941.
Opened in late 1912, the Westbrae Line was to be the first part of a route to Richmond. Company turmoil in 1915 killed it, leaving overbuilt catenary poles, wide ROWs, and a short branch to nowhere.
It would be abandoned in 1941.
Why use passing sidings when there's dead-end spurs!
On the Sacramento Northern's "North End," passenger trains seldom passed on sidings. Rather, they'd simply back into a freight spur, let the other pass, back out, and continue along merrily!
No wonder why the automobile was so competitive 😬
On the Sacramento Northern's "North End," passenger trains seldom passed on sidings. Rather, they'd simply back into a freight spur, let the other pass, back out, and continue along merrily!
No wonder why the automobile was so competitive 😬
November 15, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Why use passing sidings when there's dead-end spurs!
On the Sacramento Northern's "North End," passenger trains seldom passed on sidings. Rather, they'd simply back into a freight spur, let the other pass, back out, and continue along merrily!
No wonder why the automobile was so competitive 😬
On the Sacramento Northern's "North End," passenger trains seldom passed on sidings. Rather, they'd simply back into a freight spur, let the other pass, back out, and continue along merrily!
No wonder why the automobile was so competitive 😬
Only a few runs left for these urban stallions.
@sfmta.bsky.social is retiring their elegant "Breda" fleet, which has served the city well since the 90s. I had the privilege to ride and give a speech about these historic cars.
Donate to the Western Railway Museum to save Breda #1534!
@sfmta.bsky.social is retiring their elegant "Breda" fleet, which has served the city well since the 90s. I had the privilege to ride and give a speech about these historic cars.
Donate to the Western Railway Museum to save Breda #1534!
November 13, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Only a few runs left for these urban stallions.
@sfmta.bsky.social is retiring their elegant "Breda" fleet, which has served the city well since the 90s. I had the privilege to ride and give a speech about these historic cars.
Donate to the Western Railway Museum to save Breda #1534!
@sfmta.bsky.social is retiring their elegant "Breda" fleet, which has served the city well since the 90s. I had the privilege to ride and give a speech about these historic cars.
Donate to the Western Railway Museum to save Breda #1534!
Initial Denver & Interurban RR schedules had trains run from Denver to Boulder in ONE HOUR! Reality proved otherwise.
Heavy with AC & DC equipment, already slow to start trains were bogged down by up to 35 local stops. Later schedules called for a 1hr 10min - 1 hr 25 min trip; not bad for the era!
Heavy with AC & DC equipment, already slow to start trains were bogged down by up to 35 local stops. Later schedules called for a 1hr 10min - 1 hr 25 min trip; not bad for the era!
November 7, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Initial Denver & Interurban RR schedules had trains run from Denver to Boulder in ONE HOUR! Reality proved otherwise.
Heavy with AC & DC equipment, already slow to start trains were bogged down by up to 35 local stops. Later schedules called for a 1hr 10min - 1 hr 25 min trip; not bad for the era!
Heavy with AC & DC equipment, already slow to start trains were bogged down by up to 35 local stops. Later schedules called for a 1hr 10min - 1 hr 25 min trip; not bad for the era!
The Denver & Interurban RR wanted to electrify a railway to Fort Collins. Why did they stop at Boulder?
In 1908, parent company Colorado & Southern was bought by the Burlington RR, who vetoed the D&I's plan. Wary of interurbans, they believed electrification would distract from existing revenues.
In 1908, parent company Colorado & Southern was bought by the Burlington RR, who vetoed the D&I's plan. Wary of interurbans, they believed electrification would distract from existing revenues.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The Denver & Interurban RR wanted to electrify a railway to Fort Collins. Why did they stop at Boulder?
In 1908, parent company Colorado & Southern was bought by the Burlington RR, who vetoed the D&I's plan. Wary of interurbans, they believed electrification would distract from existing revenues.
In 1908, parent company Colorado & Southern was bought by the Burlington RR, who vetoed the D&I's plan. Wary of interurbans, they believed electrification would distract from existing revenues.
De-electrification saw the Central California Traction Co. rid itself of many interurbans... save for a select few.
Good condition cars were often spared as cabooses. Stripped of electric equipment, old box motors could be seen on freight trains until 1953, when 'true' replacements came.
c. 1948
Good condition cars were often spared as cabooses. Stripped of electric equipment, old box motors could be seen on freight trains until 1953, when 'true' replacements came.
c. 1948
November 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
De-electrification saw the Central California Traction Co. rid itself of many interurbans... save for a select few.
Good condition cars were often spared as cabooses. Stripped of electric equipment, old box motors could be seen on freight trains until 1953, when 'true' replacements came.
c. 1948
Good condition cars were often spared as cabooses. Stripped of electric equipment, old box motors could be seen on freight trains until 1953, when 'true' replacements came.
c. 1948
Fort Collins' trolley is a vestige of the interurban era!
The Denver & Interurban RR began the town system in 1906, envisioning it the tip of a Denver-Fort Collins route. However, by 1908 plans to extend the D&I past Boulder fell through, leaving Fort Collins' network isolated.
(Wikipedia photo)
The Denver & Interurban RR began the town system in 1906, envisioning it the tip of a Denver-Fort Collins route. However, by 1908 plans to extend the D&I past Boulder fell through, leaving Fort Collins' network isolated.
(Wikipedia photo)
November 3, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Fort Collins' trolley is a vestige of the interurban era!
The Denver & Interurban RR began the town system in 1906, envisioning it the tip of a Denver-Fort Collins route. However, by 1908 plans to extend the D&I past Boulder fell through, leaving Fort Collins' network isolated.
(Wikipedia photo)
The Denver & Interurban RR began the town system in 1906, envisioning it the tip of a Denver-Fort Collins route. However, by 1908 plans to extend the D&I past Boulder fell through, leaving Fort Collins' network isolated.
(Wikipedia photo)
Bought a new camera! Argus C3; don't know what year, as there is film from the previous owner loaded into it.
Looks like the camera collection is shaping up nicely!
Looks like the camera collection is shaping up nicely!
November 2, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Bought a new camera! Argus C3; don't know what year, as there is film from the previous owner loaded into it.
Looks like the camera collection is shaping up nicely!
Looks like the camera collection is shaping up nicely!
Inspired by Boardwalk Empire, this Halloween I'm going as a 1930s-esque cop.
November 1, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Inspired by Boardwalk Empire, this Halloween I'm going as a 1930s-esque cop.
Brentwood City Hall — 620 film on a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye.
October 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Brentwood City Hall — 620 film on a Kodak Brownie Hawkeye.
Fascinated by these WPA: Federal Housing Administration posters.
October 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Fascinated by these WPA: Federal Housing Administration posters.
Here's a colour photo of the "Automobile Road!"
After some research, it turns out that the motorcars were Oldsmobile Model No. 2 Tonneau Cars, designed for railroad inspection. Looks like they were padded with plush seats for visitors!
(Photo: Caoimhín Kevin Bunker, Facebook)
After some research, it turns out that the motorcars were Oldsmobile Model No. 2 Tonneau Cars, designed for railroad inspection. Looks like they were padded with plush seats for visitors!
(Photo: Caoimhín Kevin Bunker, Facebook)
October 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Here's a colour photo of the "Automobile Road!"
After some research, it turns out that the motorcars were Oldsmobile Model No. 2 Tonneau Cars, designed for railroad inspection. Looks like they were padded with plush seats for visitors!
(Photo: Caoimhín Kevin Bunker, Facebook)
After some research, it turns out that the motorcars were Oldsmobile Model No. 2 Tonneau Cars, designed for railroad inspection. Looks like they were padded with plush seats for visitors!
(Photo: Caoimhín Kevin Bunker, Facebook)
Rotary, I think.
October 25, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Rotary, I think.
At the WRM that's how we power the museum sometimes!
Sacramento Northern #1 is a 1918-built portable substation that steps down PG&E's AC line to 600V DC, which powers the yard and much of the campus. It's still 100% original, and works like a charm.
Sacramento Northern #1 is a 1918-built portable substation that steps down PG&E's AC line to 600V DC, which powers the yard and much of the campus. It's still 100% original, and works like a charm.
October 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
At the WRM that's how we power the museum sometimes!
Sacramento Northern #1 is a 1918-built portable substation that steps down PG&E's AC line to 600V DC, which powers the yard and much of the campus. It's still 100% original, and works like a charm.
Sacramento Northern #1 is a 1918-built portable substation that steps down PG&E's AC line to 600V DC, which powers the yard and much of the campus. It's still 100% original, and works like a charm.