SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CARS

Description

Essentials about the San Francisco Cable Cars in brief

Together with the Golden Gate Bridge, they are San Francisco’s world-famous landmark: the cable cars. A ride on one of the streetcars is an absolute must when visiting the Californian metropolis. After all, the means of transportation so popular with tourists is the only remaining cable streetcar in the world with decoupleable cars. In addition, you can enjoy great views of the city and San Francisco Bay as you ride over the hills of San Francisco.

The history of the San Francisco Cable Cars

The beginnings and upswing of the San Francisco Cable Cars

In 1873, Andrew Smith Hallidie successfully tested the first cableway system at Clay Street and Jones Street near Nob Hill. Legend has it that Hallidie observed the deaths of horses when they fell while pulling a cart on the very steep Jackson Street, which inspired him to build a cableway. That same year, the Clay Street line began public service. From 1877 to 1892, nearly two dozen more lines were put into service, including the California Street Cable Railroad in 1878, which is the oldest of the lines still in operation today. Interestingly, most of the lines were operated by different operating companies. Due to competitive considerations, the gauges of all the operating companies were different, so that it was not possible to operate the cars on the lines of the competition.

The decline of the San Francisco Cable Cars

Around the turn of the century, however, the creeping decline of the cable cars began, as electric streetcars became increasingly competitive. Several lines were converted to the new system, as the electrified streetcars were significantly faster than the cable cars. Opposition to conversion to electric streetcars was based primarily on the perceived disfigurement of the city by the overhead wires.

The final nail in the coffin for the cable cars was the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, which destroyed virtually the entire infrastructure of the lines. During reconstruction, electric streetcars were built where possible. The cable cars remained only on the steepest stretches of the network. As of 1912, only eight cable car lines were still in operation, on routes where the grades were too steep for electric streetcars. In the 1920s and 1930s, however, even these came under pressure as more powerful diesel and trolley buses now became available to operate on the steep roads. By 1944, only five lines were still in operation.

The preservation of the San Francisco Cable Cars

In 1947, San Francisco’s mayor wanted to replace the last sections of the cable car lines with buses. However, opposition to a complete abandonment of the cable cars arose, forcing a referendum on the future of the historic mode of transportation. The vote resulted in a clear vote to continue operating the cable cars.

In 1951, the California Street Cable Railroad, the last remaining independent operator, was forced to discontinue its lines because it was no longer able to pay insurance premiums. The city then purchased the network and resumed operations in 1952. Once again, however, the city government proposed replacing them with buses. As a compromise, the California Street line was retained and a section on Hyde Street was preserved, which is now part of the Powell-Hyde line. All other track, however, was decommissioned. As a result, only three lines have been in operation since 1964: The Powell-Hyde, The Powell-Mason and The California Street.

The gripman and the brakeman

If you hop on one of the cable cars you will notice that the crew consists of two attendants: The Gripman and the Brakeman. The Gripman is located in the front, open part of the car and operates the control levers. In addition to the lever that opens and closes the claw on the rope, there is another lever for the rail brake. When this is pulled, wooden blocks lower onto the rails and brake the wagon. The foot brake is connected to brake shoes on the front bogie. The second person is the brakeman, who operates the wheel brake on the rear bogie by means of a crank at the end of the car. He also acts as a conductor as long as the additional braking power is not needed. If all normal driving brakes fail, the gripman still has an emergency brake at his disposal. When this is applied, a steel wedge is rammed into the cable slot in the road, bringing the car to an instant stop.

Because of the strong forces required to operate the levers, gripmen must be physically fit and wear sturdy leather gloves. Women, by the way, were not represented until the late 1990s because of the high physical demands. Only since 1998 have there been female Gripmen (more correctly Gripwomen). Gripman and Brakeman communicate with each other during the ride via two bells.

In addition to their main task, the crew must also pay attention to the safety of the passengers. In addition to the hazards of boarding and alighting in the middle of an intersection, attention must also be paid to passenger placement, especially in the open section. Standing on the running boards, contrary to the usual high safety precautions in the United States, is allowed and common. However, this applies to no more than two people per grab rail and not in the boarding area. Backpacks or bags carried must be stowed securely.

The ride with the San Francisco Cable Cars

Last but not least, a few practical tips for riding the cable cars: Due to their enormous popularity with tourists, the cable cars are regularly overcrowded and it is not possible to get on at some stations. If you want to be on the safe side and have a seat, you either have to be patient and wait or go to one of the final stops where the cable cars are turned around on platforms. There, on most days and times, queues also form, but usually things move relatively quickly.

The cable cars date back to a time when there were no seatbelts and airbags. Accordingly, you should pay attention to your own safety during a ride. Especially children should be supervised well. There are always accidents between cable cars and cars. Caution is especially important when getting on and off the cable car. Many stations are located in the middle of the road, which is why you should definitely pay attention to the traffic.

The San Francisco Cable Car Museum

And last but not least, a hint for all cable car fans for whom one ride is not enough. You should definitely visit the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. In the museum you can see historic cars, many exhibits around the cable cars and especially the still operating engine house live at work.