2001 Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition Winners

A Little History: Cable Car Bell-Ringers of the 1950s

Newspaper copy read, "TEST SHOWS MUSICAL TALENTS-- They may be smiling, but it's a grim moment for these cable car gripmen. Will their musical talents be recognized? Have they been training for years in vain? Only time and three judges will tell. The scene took place this morning (April 10, 1956) at Muni's Washington-Mason cable car barn in the elimination contest to find city's best bell-ringer. The winner will perform solo in Union Square April 21."

And Today:

The winners of the 38th Annual San Francisco Municipal Railway Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition are left to right (1) Ken Lunardi, second place; (2) Byron Cobb, Champion and (3) Frank Ware, third place. As in prior years, the Champion Bell-Ringer was awarded a genuine cable car bell by the "Friends of the Cable Car Museum." In addition, this year the "Friends" commissioned and presented to the Champion Bell-Ringer a special commemorative plate, designed and cast by Mr. Gilberto Godoy of San Francisco. Each judge, also, received compliments of the "Friends" one of Mr. Godoy's commemorative plates. The 2001 competition was held on July 19 at Fisherman's Wharf (because of the rebuilding of Union Square).
An elated Byron Cobb has just found out he is the Champion Cable Car Bell-Ringer.
Byron Cobb enthusiastically accepts his Championship status as the winner of the 38th Annual San Francisco Municipal Railway Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition.
A Happy Byron "Hi-Fives" the TV camera as the band plays.
Bell-Ringing Competition Champion Byron Cobb addresses the Fisherman's Wharf crowd. Ken Lunardi, this year's runner-up and former Champion Cable Car Bell-Ringer, is next to Byron.
Byron and Ken are instantly the focus of the media.
For the "Sights and Sounds" of the 38th Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Competition please click on "Cable Car System in Action - Video Clips" and go to Clip #7.
Return to the Museum's Home Page  go.jpg (4276 bytes)