We're Off and Running: BART's First Decade in Operation
1972 - 1982
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Contents:
BART's Opening Day (9/11/1972) The cars of BART's Opening Day (9/11/1972) Two Car Trains (1972) President Nixon Rides BART (9/27/1972) Fremont Flyer (10/2/1972) R line opens (1/29/1973) Bicentennial (1976) Addendum (click on the links below): Orders and Deliveries (1969-2022) A car to B car conversion (1978-1982) Mail on BART (1972, 1974, 1990) |
BART's Opening Day (9/11/1972)
The San Francisco Bay Area celebrates BART's Golden Anniversary this year.
Let us take a moment to look at the opening day of BART, a half century ago.
(This page will be updated throughout the year, featuring many photos of that historic day, and a then-now comparison.)
Here we see "BART's operation during the first weeks of revenue passenger-hauling, commuter carrying, service. A time when B-cars were almost non-existend and the curious came to see what their taxes had purchased. A time that is never to be repeated, the birth of a railroad."
Click on the thumbnails to view the full size images.
Let us take a moment to look at the opening day of BART, a half century ago.
(This page will be updated throughout the year, featuring many photos of that historic day, and a then-now comparison.)
Here we see "BART's operation during the first weeks of revenue passenger-hauling, commuter carrying, service. A time when B-cars were almost non-existend and the curious came to see what their taxes had purchased. A time that is never to be repeated, the birth of a railroad."
Click on the thumbnails to view the full size images.
Off and Running
An excerpt from the most excellent pictorial booklet covering BART in the first weeks of revenue operation:
"At twelve noon on September 11, 1972, - Day One in local Bay Area terms - the world's newest railroad transit system opened its automatic doors and greeted the very first revenue riders - and even though the trains were a few years later, thousands were waiting to ride. The Bay Area Rapid Transit District, or more simply, BART, was an immediate overcrowded success.
BART opened doors September 11th for service on the dozen-station 28-mile Alameda [and Downtown Oakland] lines from Fremont to MacArthur station in Oakland, a future major transfer point on the completed 75-mile system due to be finished an all in operation by the end of 1973...
This book shows BART's operation during the first weeks of revenue passenger-hauling, commuter carrying, service. A time when B-cars were almost non-existend and the curious came to see what their taxes had purchased. A time that is never to be repeated, the birth of a railroad."
-Karl R. Koenig, Editor, PACIFIC NEWS
An excerpt from the most excellent pictorial booklet covering BART in the first weeks of revenue operation:
"At twelve noon on September 11, 1972, - Day One in local Bay Area terms - the world's newest railroad transit system opened its automatic doors and greeted the very first revenue riders - and even though the trains were a few years later, thousands were waiting to ride. The Bay Area Rapid Transit District, or more simply, BART, was an immediate overcrowded success.
BART opened doors September 11th for service on the dozen-station 28-mile Alameda [and Downtown Oakland] lines from Fremont to MacArthur station in Oakland, a future major transfer point on the completed 75-mile system due to be finished an all in operation by the end of 1973...
This book shows BART's operation during the first weeks of revenue passenger-hauling, commuter carrying, service. A time when B-cars were almost non-existend and the curious came to see what their taxes had purchased. A time that is never to be repeated, the birth of a railroad."
-Karl R. Koenig, Editor, PACIFIC NEWS
The cars of BART's Opening Day (9/11/1972)
As BART approaches its golden anniversary, it is most fitting to take a brief look back at the cars rolling in service on its opening day.
BART opened its doors to its first revenue riders at Noon on September 11, 1972, following a series of speeches and VIPs rides at 10:00 AM.
Eight trains – six two car trains and two three car trains, shuttled over 20,000 passengers between MacArthur and Fremont stations. An additional ninth train, dispatched in the mid-afternoon, was similarly composed of two A cars, while another two car consist, in reserve in case of a breakdown, was not used during the day.
To the best of our records, the following cars are known to have carried passengers on Day 1:
108, 109, 112, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 123, 124, 126, 129, 132, 135, 136, 504, and 505.
BART opened its doors to its first revenue riders at Noon on September 11, 1972, following a series of speeches and VIPs rides at 10:00 AM.
Eight trains – six two car trains and two three car trains, shuttled over 20,000 passengers between MacArthur and Fremont stations. An additional ninth train, dispatched in the mid-afternoon, was similarly composed of two A cars, while another two car consist, in reserve in case of a breakdown, was not used during the day.
To the best of our records, the following cars are known to have carried passengers on Day 1:
108, 109, 112, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 123, 124, 126, 129, 132, 135, 136, 504, and 505.
Cars and some confirmed and estimated consists, using the photos and video available.
The story does not end here; almost all of these cars ran in service for fifty years.
The A cars, numbered in the 100s, were all converted into B and B2 cars (numbered in the 1800s) by the early 2000s. The B cars, 504 and 505, were similarly rebuilt into B2 cars in 2000. Respectively, current car numbers are as follows: 1818, 1803, 1845, 1840, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1806, 1824, 1844, 1838, 1829, 1843, 1815, 1859, 1862, 1861, 1863, 1504, and 1505.
As of spring of this year, only one “Day One” car has been scrapped, B2 Car 1863, ex A car 136. Undoubtedly, a few of the “Day One” cars will roll on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the system. A keen eye with numbers would certainly reveal these cars, among the oldest of the BART fleet.
The A cars, numbered in the 100s, were all converted into B and B2 cars (numbered in the 1800s) by the early 2000s. The B cars, 504 and 505, were similarly rebuilt into B2 cars in 2000. Respectively, current car numbers are as follows: 1818, 1803, 1845, 1840, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1806, 1824, 1844, 1838, 1829, 1843, 1815, 1859, 1862, 1861, 1863, 1504, and 1505.
As of spring of this year, only one “Day One” car has been scrapped, B2 Car 1863, ex A car 136. Undoubtedly, a few of the “Day One” cars will roll on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the system. A keen eye with numbers would certainly reveal these cars, among the oldest of the BART fleet.
Two Car Trains (1972)
"BART was young and the world was watching."
Back in 1972, BART opened its doors to the riding public. Delays upon delays pushed back the opening day of the system to September 11, 1972.
Even then, BART barely had enough cars to provide service. In August 1972, only 36 cars were on property, and by Day 1, there were about 38 A cars and 2 B cars.
Naturally, service began with very short trains - "two baggers" - running between MacArthur and Fremont stations. Enough B cars were on property around November 1972 to end the shortest trains ever ran in revenue service on mainline BART.
For the meantime, enjoy these photos taken 50 years ago on the sleekest consists of early BART. Amazingly enough, almost all of these cars are still in service in 2022, a testament to the minds who designed and built the cars a half century ago, and to the hardworking people that maintain and run them today.
All photos part of the Western Railway Museum Collection.
Back in 1972, BART opened its doors to the riding public. Delays upon delays pushed back the opening day of the system to September 11, 1972.
Even then, BART barely had enough cars to provide service. In August 1972, only 36 cars were on property, and by Day 1, there were about 38 A cars and 2 B cars.
Naturally, service began with very short trains - "two baggers" - running between MacArthur and Fremont stations. Enough B cars were on property around November 1972 to end the shortest trains ever ran in revenue service on mainline BART.
For the meantime, enjoy these photos taken 50 years ago on the sleekest consists of early BART. Amazingly enough, almost all of these cars are still in service in 2022, a testament to the minds who designed and built the cars a half century ago, and to the hardworking people that maintain and run them today.
All photos part of the Western Railway Museum Collection.
President Nixon Rides BART (9/27/1972)
BART Photo
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President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon ride BART from San Leandro station to Lake Merritt Station. He remarked: "I've been all over the world and this is the smoothest ride I've ever had."
Looking at Central Control, he remarked: "You know, it does look like Nasa." Nixon consist: 120-505-119 Car 120 now rolls as car 1834. Nixon also rode the Golden Gate Ferry's M/S Golden Gate while president. 9/27/1972: San Leandro to Lake Merritt A car 120 is now B2 car 1834 B car 505 is now B2 car 1505 A car 119 is now B2 car 1844 Photo credits are from the Nixon Library, BART, and I think the Tribune or Chronicle? I've forgotten, unfortunately. |
Fremont Flyer (10/2/1972)
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At about 10:15 AM, Monday, October 2, 1972, Train 307 from MacArthur, with brand new A car 143 leading and "Day 1 veteran" A car 118 trailing, overshot Fremont station and plowed into the parking lot, injuring four passengers and the train attendant. Fortunately, Washington Hospital is next door to Fremont station so the response was timely.
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This accident was attributed to a faulty 27 mph crystal oscillator on a printed circuit board, which instead of signaling the train to slow down to 27 mph, sped it up to almost 70 mph (66 mph when at A85 gate C). The train attendant did all that was possible to stop the train, but even then, the braking was inadequate; the train was speeding through the center of platform 2 at 42-50 mph and impacted the sandpile at about 26-33 mph (sources debate speeds), landing in the parking lot. The accident brought national attention to the safety of BART, alongside significant changes to carborne ATC equipment alongside changes at Fremont station.
A car 143 never carried another rider but it found a new life as a B car. It was converted into B car 826 by Hayward Shop forces by the end of 1981, and rolled again, this time as a standard B car. As part of the A and B car rebuilding during the turn of the century, B car 826 was rebuilt and renumbered into B2 car 1826. As of August 2022, it is assigned to Concord yard and can be seen in the middle of Yellow line trains, from time to time. A keen eye may recognize a few scars from its ill-fated trip a half century ago. B2 car 1826, in my opinion, has earned a place as one of the most historical transit vehicles in history.
A car 143 never carried another rider but it found a new life as a B car. It was converted into B car 826 by Hayward Shop forces by the end of 1981, and rolled again, this time as a standard B car. As part of the A and B car rebuilding during the turn of the century, B car 826 was rebuilt and renumbered into B2 car 1826. As of August 2022, it is assigned to Concord yard and can be seen in the middle of Yellow line trains, from time to time. A keen eye may recognize a few scars from its ill-fated trip a half century ago. B2 car 1826, in my opinion, has earned a place as one of the most historical transit vehicles in history.
Opening of the R line, 1/29/1973
Fifty years ago today (1/29/1973), the R line (MacArthur to Richmond) opened for revenue service. Here are some pictures of the line around the time it opened, and some pictures of the station plaques.
This was the second segment of the BART system to open, after the A and K lines (MacArthur to Fremont) on September 11, 1972.
This was the second segment of the BART system to open, after the A and K lines (MacArthur to Fremont) on September 11, 1972.
Spirit of '76: Celebrating 200 years of Freedom
BART was not one to miss the bicentennial celebration; they replaced the front logo of certain (about 10) A cars with the official BiCentennial Logo, along with smaller versions of the same logo on the sides below the Y end car number. It wasn’t to the extravagance of many conventional railroads with their specially painted units, but it was still a nod to the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the Country.
The cars included:
115
127
139
140
153
169
177
202
219
236
264
The cars included:
115
127
139
140
153
169
177
202
219
236
264
6/6/22, 7/29/22, 8/15/22, 8/28/22, 2/1/23
