Muni Diaries » Castro Station

Photo Diary: Can’t Fight That Feeling at Castro Station

Steve Cipoletto — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:45:35 +0000

Muni rider Steve saw something the other night.

“Castro Station around 12 a.m. Lone man waiting for an outbound train. The station was quiet. Not a train in sight. And there he sat.”

What have you seen on Muni lately? Sharing is caring.

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The Pope Has Landed at Castro Street Station

eugenia — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:00:15 +0000

Rider Stuart sent in this picture that he snapped at the Castro Street Station last weekend. Is that frankincense in there or some other kind of…smoke?

Have you seen the pope or other celebs around public transit? Inquiring minds want to know.

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1980 Flashback: Muni Metro Inauguration Party

jeff — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:00:28 +0000

D. Robert Foster, who shared an old Muni ticket/transfer on Muni Diaries a few weeks ago, sends along the amazing poster above, and notes:

This is a poster from the May 1980 grand opening party for the Metro system at Castro Street Station. Entertainment by Sylvester, DJs Howie Klein (415 Records), and Larry LaRue. As I remember, ticket holders were eligibile to be among the first people to ride the system by boarding cars at Church Street and then riding right into the party.

Can you imagine how amazing? I almost can, but not quite. Also, where else but the Castro could a soirée this awesome be found?

Thanks, Mr. Foster!

Also, commenters Mike and Gerard shared video from the party. Wild, fun times.

Thanks, Mike and Gerard!

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Muni story from my youth: Tunnel Walkers

Jayne — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:00:47 +0000

Photo by Timmy Denike

Jayne remembers riding Muni back in the day and playing Russian roulette with the street car:

Back when I was in middle school, probably about the seventh or eight grade, my friends and I would go to Stonestown maybe once or twice a month. The only way go get to Stonestown without riding the streetcar from the Castro area was….to walk through the Twin Peaks tunnel.

After school, we would go down to the Eureka Portal (near Castro Station) and start walking. Once in the tunnel, we would listen and look for an approaching streetcar. If we saw one coming, we’d all run to the light niches (back then the lights in the tunnel were single light bulbs located in niches about 50 feet or so apart) and try to squeeze in to let the streetcar pass. Once the streetcar had passed, we’d just get out and resume our walk until we reached West Portal. The walk usually took about 30 minutes or so.

To get to Stonestown, we just follow the M tracks…from Sloat to Ocean, we walked in the Muni right of way. I think kids still do this nowadays, but I don’t think they walk in the tunnel anymore.

People might think it is dangerous, but back then, it was pretty common with kids.

Yeah, do not attempt this amazing, harrowing feat yourself, okay?

Did you grow up in San Francisco? Do you have a Muni recollection to share? You know who would just love it if you sent your Muni story?

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Person Killed by Muni Train at Castro Station (w/update)

eugenia — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:27:45 +0000

Update: (9:41 p.m.): Twitter follower justinberton sends the photo above. joem sends the photo below, of the back-up scene on Market Street.

Original post: A pedestrian on the tracks at the Castro station was apparently killed by a Muni train this afternoon, the SFAppeal reports:

SFFD Spokesperson Lt. Mindy Talmadge confirms to the Appeal that the fire department was called to Castro Station at 4:40 this afternoon, after a pedestrian on the tracks was apparently hit by a Muni train.

“We’re not sure how he got on the tracks” Talmadge said “we attempted to revive him and when it was evident that he had expired, we called the Medical Examiner.”

Some riders reported being stuck in the trains for 40 minutes or more, according to the report (see more updates from the SFAppeal).

KCBS also reports the fatality.

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‘Trains are moving, but moving slowly!’

jeff — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:23:46 +0000

Goddammit, Muni! Please start working again, so we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming.*

Muni rider Christian reports on the scene this morning at Castro Street Station:

Everyone looks jaded as they experience more ‘inbound delays’ in the Castro.

The announcer says: “Trains are moving, but moving slowly!”

MTA released a statement indicating that, as of 7:55 a.m., N-Judah trains were backed up in the Sunset due to a “non-Muni accident” at Irving and Arguello. And the dominoes, they fall …

No word from MTA on reported backups at West Portal. At least it’s not raining? Yet.

* of course the irony here is that, were Muni to, you know, “work,” we’d lose half our content, especially lately.

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Photog-on-photog harrassment

Bhetland — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:00:42 +0000

Photo by Flickr user skronk!

This bizarre (and we admit, annoying) story comes by way of Muni rider Bhetland:

I was riding the Castro underground, going downtown today and this freak lady insisted on taking my picture. It didn’t matter how much I turned around and told her that I didn’t want my picture taken. Never have I felt like hitting someone as much as I felt like hitting her. I didn’t, but seriously folks. I am an photographer myself. You don’t assault someone which insisting on taking their pictures. She had her camera inches away from my face. What a freak. It’s crap like this that makes me drive my car most days.

So, did Bhetland have a right to get so annoyed? Did they photog have the right to continue shooting? Is it no longer about rights, and simply about respect and chilling the eff out? Let us know in comments.

And as a reminder: we want your Muni grievances, romances, and proverbial tales. Muni Diaries is always seeking out new content.

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Derailment on the L-Taraval near West Portal

jeff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:02:23 +0000

That’s the scene this morning at West Portal. 511/MTA report a derailment of the L-Taraval somewhere between West Portal and Castro stations. We’ll report more as we learn it. If you were there, share stories and photos please. Form or email.

Photos by @wirelesschunk

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Castro Fire Contained, Service Restored

jeff — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:57:08 +0000

The Chronicle reports that service is back following yesterday afternoon’s fire at the Castro Station.

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Fire at Castro Station (UPDATE)

jeff — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:30:13 +0000

Update: According to a trusted source, the problem is mechanical. Still unsure of where, or what nature. And also, the fire? Can anyone confirm?

Original post: This just in by way of text from roving Muni Diaries field reporter Eugenia Chien:

Fire at Castro Station. K, L, M lines are delayed or not running. They are advising people to take a shuttle on Van Ness. Civic Center Station a mess!

Then:

Now the F is nowhere to be found

Stay tuned for more ….

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