"Cable car - Some history ..." Cable Cars Tip by Jerelis

For us to understand the importance of the San Francisco Cable Car we learned some of its history. The cable car was introduced to San Francisco on August 2nd, 1873. This way of transportation was much saver than getting the car uphill and downhill by horses. The first cable car to descend down Clay Street on Nob Hill was an immediate succes. Throughout the 1890s eight transit companies operated over 600 cars. Due to the 1906 earthquake most of the cable car system was destroyed and a municipal railway replaced most of the remaining lines. In 1982 the city of San Francisco began a major two-year restoration project. Nowadays there are 37 cars driving on 3 lines.

San Francisco's cable cars are unique in that they are the only street railway in which the cars do not operate under their own power. Instead, the cars are propelled mechanically by "gripping" a continuously moving steel cable which runs in a conduit underneath a slot between the rails. The cable, in turn, is kept in motion by an engine in a centrally-located powerhouse.

While the cable cars are used to a certain extent by commuters, their low speed, small service area and premium fares make them primarily a tourist attraction.

Address
Cable Car Powerhouse
Mason Street SF, CA 94108

Mode: AROUND
Type: Other
Website: http://www.sfcablecar.com