A 1937 Packard Business Coupe, said to have traveled across the Golden Gate Bridge, on opening day, May 27, 1937

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk into a photograph and go back in time to that day? Well… I was lucky enough to almost do exactly that in the summer of 2017.

So, sit back and enjoy this tale of the adventure!

As a role in my professional career, I managed the operations of the Customer Service Center for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District, located in San Rafael, California. The District is far more than the famous Bridge. At that time, it included operations of long distance bus service across the Bridge between San Francisco in the South, Santa Rosa in the North, and El Cerritos in the East; along with ferry service between San Francisco’s Ferry Building and Sausalito, Tiburon, and Larkspur Landing. In addition, we also provided customer service for the Marin County local bus service (known as Marin Transit) and the then new SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit) trains.

Marin County and Sonoma counties were at one time very well served by a combination of commuter rail, long distance rail and ferry service to San Francisco and other points. The coming of the automobile, the Depression, and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge all contributed to the decline of those services. Marin County residents declined the purchase of the electrified passenger service out of Sausalito and the accompanying ferry connection to San Francisco at the ballot box, instead favoring the new bus service by Pacific Greyhound across the bridge.

When the Golden Gate Bridge opened to traffic on May 27, 1937, it held great promise for everyone on the north side of the San Francisco Bay, opening the gateway to the Redwood Empire. The ability to travel as you saw fit directly via the Bridge into and out of San Francisco was seen as a clear sign of the lessened effects of the Depression.

There were a number of cars that had crossed the bridge prior to opening day, but that first day of traffic saw all types of vehicles crossing. Among the vehicles known to have crossed that day is a 1937 Packard Six Business Coupe, now owned by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District. Restored and maintained by the staff of the bus division mechanical department, it is used on occasion to represent the early history of the Bridge.

While 2017 saw 80th birthday of the Bridge, it was a somewhat smaller anniversary than the 75th in 2012. None the less, why not celebrate by showing the Packard at one of the premier automotive events in the country? Namely, the Hillsborough Concours D’Elegance,

So it was that the morning of Sunday, July 16, 2017 found me bright and early in San Rafael to collect my charge for the day. Having previously demonstrated that I was proficient in the operation of a clutch and manual transmission during a test drive around the bus yard, I was off to US Highway 101 heading southbound for the Golden Gate Bridge.

Traffic was light at that hour. It was a moment right out of history as I headed down the Waldo Grade towards the Bridge. It almost felt like the Packard knew where it was going, having made the crossing many times before. (A viewing of the film noir classic “Dark Passage” from 1947 with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall offers a very similar scene to the one I experienced crossing the Bridge.)

A brief stop adjacent to the Bridge Toll Plaza for a quick inspection and photo opportunity.

Leaving the Toll Plaza at the Bridge was by way of State Highway 1, or if you prefer, Park Presidio Boulevard, southbound through the tunnel under the Presidio and into the Avenues. A brief excursion into Golden Gate Park, along Crossover Dr, before continuing onto 19th Avenue through the Sunset district of the City. It may be 2017, but the neighborhoods retain much of the charm of the late 30’s if you are willing to see it. So traveling through them in this Packard in the morning definitely had a flair to it!

Approaching Daly City and Westlake, things take a definite turn toward the modern era as 19th Avenue gives way to Interstate 280. The Packard is out of its element on the shimmering lanes of concrete and asphalt encouraging excess speeds en route to downtown San Jose. The trip today is a moderate one, heading for the hills above the Crystal Springs Reservoir and the community of Hillsborough.

Since 1956, automotive enthusiasts have gathered here every summer in appreciation of the art of design and construction of some of the finest examples. Each year, a particular marque of vehicles is featured and celebrated here. For 2017, Jaguar was selected to be so honored.

The Crystal Springs Golf Course is the perfect spot for the event with vehicles displayed along the fairways. The weather, while warm, was not uncomfortable with coastal breezes making their way through the area.

The 1937 Packard Six Business Coupe takes its place for display.

Parked for display among automobiles of similar vintages, the morning passed, with the Packard admired by many. After lunch, it was requested to be moved to a prominent display location prior to the Concours parade.

As the event drew to a close, it was time to motor north, back across the Bridge to San Rafael. A brief detour through the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco with a stop along the El Camino Del Mar, below the Palace of the Legion of Honor offered a classic view of both the vintage Packard and Bridge together. A fine way to wrap up a trip in a Time Machine!

It’s a sad fact.

And an all together avoidable one.

Every day, people are killed by trespassing on railroad tracks.

As I write this today, several hours ago, a man in Ohio almost became one of those people.

All in an effort to capture an image. An image of the world’s largest steam locomotive, currently touring the nation as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations.

The very loud and distinctive steam whistle has been a signature of this adventure as it travels from coast to coast. It also serves as a warning to everyone trackside of the approaching train.

In this instance, the photographer chose to disregard that warning.

Luckily, the engineer, who is also the head of the Union Pacific Steam Program, had been expecting large crowds of non-railroad people along the route that the train is traveling. He was able to place the train brakes into an emergency application and bring the train safely to a full and complete stop.

What could have been a very graphic death in front of the large assembled crowd was prevented,

Yet, this story does not end with that.

Once the train had come to a full stop, he motioned to the photographer to come to the cab of the locomotive so he could speak further with him. He chose to severely admonish the photographer for his irresponsible behavior.

In a video of the incident, a response from the photographer was not audible.

The train continued on after the incident.

Regrettably, this type of incident has occurred on multiple occasions previously, with fatal and graphic results.

Each one completely avoidable.

I have many friends and acquaintances who have chosen professional careers where they were placed in situations – all completely avoidable – which resulted in a loss of human life. Regrettably, those who chose a railroad career are far too often placed in a situation upon which they have little or no control to prevent injury or loss of life. And they can carry the memories of such incidents for years afterwards. Some may do so for the rest of their lives.

All because someone chose to be in the wrong place – on the railroad tracks. Be it on foot, in a vehicle or otherwise, you do not belong on the tracks. Especially as a train is approaching.

Cross safely if you must, but as you would respecting a road crossing or intersection. The train always has the right of way. It cannot turn to avoid a collision nor can it stop immediately.

You can.

The railroads have a saying. One written, sadly, in blood.

Safety First.

It applies to everyone all the time.

For more information, please visit the Operation Lifesaver web pages. This is a national organization promoting safety around railroads, especially at crossings.

Note: This first appeared here on May 27, 2011.

Way back when, the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad operated two trains around the Magic Kingdom. The first was the six-car passenger train, also known as Retlaw One. It’s canary yellow and brunswick green colors were reminiscent of the passenger cars of the famed Virginia & Truckee Railway. 

The second train was the freight train. A mixture of open gondolas and cattle cars, with the classic cupola caboose bringing up the rear. It was painted the traditional color of boxcar brown. It’s spartan accommodations for riders didn’t last long before modifications were made. Most notable was the removal of a number of slats from one side of the cattle cars to offer a better view of the Park.

To begin, both trains required different tickets. The one above is the stub for the freight train, boarded by passengers at the Frontierland station. A passing track here allowed the passenger train to bypass the station. The same was true at the Main Street Station where another passing track allowed the freight train to bypass that station. That operation as well lasted only a short while as did separate tickets for the two trains. Eventually all trains made all stops becoming the transportation system that carries passengers around the park by the thousands every day.

While the passenger train went on to retirement, the freight train carries on, making the same trip it did on Opening Day, Monday, July 18th, 1955. And you can still enjoy a ride in the caboose, too. Just ask the conductor, if folks are not already seated aboard. As for cattle… well, you may find a Mouse or two aboard, maybe a duck, too. I don’t think you’ll mind the company.

With the recent flap over the copycat theme park in China, Disney certainly has its corporate hands full when it comes to trademarks.

Note: This column first appeared here on May 21st, 2007.

Along those lines, I thought that you might find this Cast Member brochure on the subject of interest:

Now, let’s be careful out there.

Note: This first appeared here on July 30, 2010.

Now, where was I?

Some days, there just is not a whole lot to write.

And that is why on occasion, you will not find an update or new column here.

Today could have been like that. Not that there is nothing to share. It is more of at this time of the morning, a story line is a bit elusive. No coffee yet…

Instead, a few random images from out and about. See if you can guess where I was. Some are easy, others a bit harder to guess. Enjoy!