I understand you only get the Birney 143 on the short line through 'Main St' on the day your visit. The museum actually operates two lines, but this depends on staffing by volunteers. Whenever two volunteers are available, they operate the inner 'Main St' line (pictured) and the outer line along Senter Rd to the parking lots. Whenever only one volunteer shows up for work they operate the 'Main St' line only. The latter was the case on the day of my visit on July 3rd. However, a day earlier on July 2nd they did operate both lines with 143 (Main St) and 124 (Senter Rd).

Unfortunately the historic cars are only operated on Saturdays and Sundays for 3 hours only between 12 noon and 3:15 pm.

The 3 historic cars that used to run in San Jose's downtown via a segment of the Light Rail line - are now stored at the VTA yard, unavailable for visits or viewing. The VTA management and the people in charge are not fans of the cars and just not interested even in allowing access to the cars. The 4th car was sold to Sacramento (for a lot of money), where it was never operated, and where it is now... stored at the yard, unavailable for visits or viewing. So much for local history...

Unfortunately, the availability of volunteers is a problem everywhere.

I was also in San Jose in 1999 and photographed a museum tram in the city. Maybe I will post this photo one day. First the most recent...

The photo was taken at 15h24 (see Exif) and this was indeed the last journey.

Цитата (focus1965, 16.07.2022):
> I was also in San Jose in 1999 and photographed a museum tram in the city. Maybe I will post this photo one day. First the most recent...

Waiting for the photo ) I didn't get lucky with that historic operation... twice. In 2002 the historic car has gotten into a minor accident. I photographed the accident, but then the car was taken to the yard with a minor scratch they needed to conduct a complex investigation on... In 2008 the cars simply didn't run even though they were supposed to.

My overall impression of the San Jose operation is perhaps the most unfavorable in the US. The light rail cars are the most unsightly and unwelcoming, I usually compare them to fridge-boxes on wheels. Downtown San Jose is void of people and seems semi-abandoned. The light rail operation lacks ridership, cars run empty. They've even abandoned one line in 2019 (before COVID!). There are talks within the industry about viability of the entire operation, and even whether the system should be shutdown. The historic cars operation is shutdown long time ago, and cars are inaccessible. And to top this all I was harassed for taking photos and I had transit security follow me (in 2022!). It all ended well, as people respect each other's rights in this parts of the US, but it left a negative aftertaste. Oh, and did I mention that in 2002 (a year after 9/11) they thought I was a terrorist because I called in asking for access to the yard to see historic equipment )) I didn't get in...

Lol. I live here and it is fascinating reading all these comments. I must say, I even never went to this museum (only the park) since the hours are so limited and I never scheduled a visit.

Citer (focus1965, 16.07.2022):
> I was also in San Jose in 1999 and photographed a museum tram in the city.

The historic trams used to operate basically all the time in the city center before being relegated to seasonal service (which got skipped at least one year)

Quote (Ymtram (Yury LRTA), 16.07.2022):
> My overall impression of the San Jose operation is perhaps the most unfavorable in the US. The light rail cars are the most unsightly and unwelcoming, I usually compare them to fridge-boxes on wheels.

Appearance is a matter of taste. I fully agree that they do not deserve a prize for aesthetics, but at least they are clean and have a fresh colour. In this regard, the light rail in San Jose is more appealing than Sacramento, with its mix of all kinds of colours, unmaintained vehicles, etc.


> Downtown San Jose is void of people and seems semi-abandoned. The light rail operation lacks ridership, cars run empty.

I had that feeling too, but I give it the benefit of the doubt: it was holiday season and this was true in almost all the big cities I visited. This will be illustrated by photos. I must admit, however, that I looked for cosy places in the city centre... The only aspect of the city that has succeeded is the creation of a footpath along a small river...

> They've even abandoned one line in 2019 (before COVID!). There are talks within the industry about viability of the entire operation, and even whether the system should be shutdown.

I have also read this somewhere. The whole concept in San Jose was wrongly planned and executed from the start.
The connections to quasi uninhabited areas are questionable anyway. The many IT companies that can be found there will usually only generate passengers during peak hours, provided that one has a stop at the starting point as well as at the arrival point. The stopping distances can be extremely long, and if you work or live between two stops, the light rail is just no good. I had missed a stop somewhere: it was better to wait 18 minutes for the tram than to walk back.
The most evident connection is missing: with the airport. The light rail recommends a transfer to a bus line (60?) but absolutely do not expect that you get off the tram and at the same place you can transfer to a connecting bus that will leave immediately...
I do not expect public transport to be profitable. Everywhere there is an authority that subsidises it and it is no different for San Jose.

> And to top this all I was harassed for taking photos and I had transit security follow me (in 2022!).

Maybe security was happy to do something for the first time... I've encountered others like that, but not during this trip...


Quote (Gamerdgl, 17.07.2022):
> I must say, I even never went to this museum (only the park) since the hours are so limited and I never scheduled a visit.

For you, the distance is somewhat shorter than for Yury or myself. Now that you know the operating hours, you can plan accordingly. I was surprised by the beautiful line and the interesting, representative collection. Here, quality counts for quantity!
By the way: if I lived in San Jose, as a tram enthusiast I would not hesitate and immediately become a member of this association. Apart from the fact that there are few alternatives in San Jose, it seems to me that they have clear objectives and are doing their best to realise them.
And yes: I am also a member of local Belgian associations.

Citer (Gamerdgl, 16.07.2022):
> I must admit, however, that I looked for cosy places in the city centre

San Pedro Market Square is the place for this. But it's true that the downtown suffers: the paseo de san antonio became basically abandoned a few years ago and the average street has some cool restaurants but not much life. In the hotel lobbies and convention center it is usually empty except for special events a few times a year, and then it can be very lively (the plaza de cesar chavez as well). Other than that your best bet is just to look at the architecture, I believe I read somewhere that San José has the 75th largest downtown in the country despite the 10th largest city population (or something like that)

Citer (focus1965, 17.07.2022):
> In this regard, the light rail in San Jose is more appealing than Sacramento, with its mix of all kinds of colours, unmaintained vehicles, etc.

I agree, they use the older fleet of VTA trams as well, and no level boarding. I cannot offer much more other than say that as a local you experience things very differently

Quote (Gamerdgl, 17.07.2022):
> Other than that your best bet is just to look at the architecture

I won't make my wife happy with that... We have seen many beautiful architecture, of all kinds, and also many (historical) cities. But I am not going to send my wife off for an afternoon to admire architecture in San Jose while I am photographing trams.


Quote (Gamerdgl, 17.07.2022):
> I cannot offer much more other than say that as a local you experience things very different

Keep in mind that visitors have a keener eye for imperfections than residents, who have been familiar with them for so many years that they no longer notice them.