Last Day of Electric Trains in San Rafael - Feb. 2, 1941
Marin’s Commute was Positively Electric
In our research on the history of San Rafael’s 1929 Northwestern Pacific Railroad station and its 1884 predecessor, we had found stories of engineering and electrical innovations that helped make electric rail commuting to San Francisco-bound ferries cheap, fast and efficient for San Rafael workers. Last month, the Anne T. Kent California Room “Community Newsletter” ran an article by Robert L. Harrison about these developments. It is a great article describing how technology can change the economic and social life of a community - in this case by allowing electric commuter trains to co-exist with steam trains, which in turn made our small station a central part of daily life for many residents. There is a photo of the NWP station in the article. Find it here: https://annetkent.kontribune.com/articles/9272. You can sign up to receive these fascinating and well-written newsletters at the site.
In our research on the history of San Rafael’s 1929 Northwestern Pacific Railroad station and its 1884 predecessor, we had found stories of engineering and electrical innovations that helped make electric rail commuting to San Francisco-bound ferries cheap, fast and efficient for San Rafael workers. Last month, the Anne T. Kent California Room “Community Newsletter” ran an article by Robert L. Harrison about these developments. It is a great article describing how technology can change the economic and social life of a community - in this case by allowing electric commuter trains to co-exist with steam trains, which in turn made our small station a central part of daily life for many residents. There is a photo of the NWP station in the article. Find it here: https://annetkent.kontribune.com/articles/9272. You can sign up to receive these fascinating and well-written newsletters at the site.
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Do you know that if you join or renew your San Rafael Heritage membership in the next two months, your membership will be good all through 2020? Only $20 to help us do what we do for this city!!!!
Do you know that if you join or renew your San Rafael Heritage membership in the next two months, your membership will be good all through 2020? Only $20 to help us do what we do for this city!!!!