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The Cable Car Home Pageby Joe Thompson |
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I want to use this site to share my knowledge about and interest in cable cars (also known as cable tramways). I want to keep it simple. I welcome input from any source, especially about cable cars in cities other than San Francisco. I hope to build this page up gradually as time permits. I welcome information, photographs, and suggestions.
| Where Should I Go from Here? Visit the Map |
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August and September 2023 marked the 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the birth of cable traction on the Clay Street Hill Railroad We see an image looking west on Clay Street at the terminal of the Clay Street Hill Railroad. One part of a stereoscope view.. (Image Source: OpenSFHistory / wnp24.224a.jpg). |
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November, 2021 was the 25th anniversary of this website.
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The 2025 Muni Heritage Weekend will be held on 20-21 September-2025. |
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Byron Cobb won the 2019 Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest on Thursday, October 10 at Noon in Union Square. This was his eighth victory. The 2020 and 2021 contests were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no contests in 2022 and 2023. #TrumpVirus |
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San Francisco's Transportation Octopus, the Market Street Railway of 1893, a new book by Emiliano Echeverria, Michael Dolgushkin and Walter Rice, is now available as an Ebook on a DVD. I have written a small review. |
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You will enjoy Strephon Taylor's new documentary San Francisco Cable Cars: "At over 140 years old, the San Francisco Cable Cars are a moving monument, a snapshot of nearly lost technology, a romance story, and the very heart of the City." Read my Review. Read about or see some other Cable Car Videos. Update 01-May-2023: In honor of the 150th anniversary (Sesquicentennial) of the birth of cable traction, there will be two special showings on 17-June-2023 at San Francisco's historic Four-Star Theater, which opened in 1912. Strephon will be there in person. |
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Reflections on Life at the San Francisco Cable Car Division I can highly recommend Nick Tomizawa's dvd The Feel of the Rope: "a tribute to the men and women that carry on a San Francisco tradition that has continued for over 130 years. Through the words of employees past and present representing two generations of operators, managers, maintainers, trainers, and car builders, you will get an insider's look at what makes the cable cars the most unique transit system in the world." Read my Review. Read about or see some other Cable Car Videos. |
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The Cable Cars of San Francisco Second Edition by Robert Callwell & Walter E. Rice, Ph.D. The second edition of Of Cables and Grips: The Cable Cars of San Francisco -- not yet available in a print-and-paper book format -- is available on this web site. |
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My family gave me this Department 56 model car for Christmas, 2006. Note that the right-hand bench extends all the way to the front of the cabin bulkhead. See more collectible items on my Cable Car Kitsch page. See toys, magazine ads, and other new items. |
Table of Contents
- What is a cable car? (updated 01-Sep-2005)
- How do cable cars work? (updated 01-May-2021)
- Where and when did cable cars operate? (updated 01-Jul-2016)
- San Francisco (updated 01-Jul-2025)
- Other California Cities
- Los Angeles (updated 01-Feb-2025)
- Oakland (updated 01-Feb-2025)
- San Diego (updated 01-Jun-2019)
- Chicago (updated 01-Feb-2022)
- Kansas City (updated 01-Aug-2025)
- Saint Louis (updated 01-Jul-2025)
- New York/New Jersey (updated 01-Jan-2022)
- Hoboken (updated 01-Jan-2022)
- Newark (updated 01-Mar-2012)
- Binghamton (updated 01-Apr-2012)
- Brooklyn (updated 01-Jun-2012)
- New York (updated 01-Nov-2014)
- Ohio (updated 01-Feb-2024)
- Cleveland (updated 01-Jun-2017)
- Cincinnati (updated 01-Jun-2021)
- Pennsylvania (updated 01-Mar-2024)
- Philadelphia (updated 01-Aug-2010)
- Pittsburgh (updated 01-Nov-2013)
- District of Columbia and Baltimore (updated 01-Aug-2024)
- Washington DC (updated 01-Aug-2014)
- Baltimore (updated 01-Jul-2024)
- Pacific Northwest (updated 01-Mar-2023)
- Denver (updated 01-Sep-2018)
- Australia/New Zealand (updated 01-Aug-2025)
- UK (updated 01-Aug-2025)
- Birmingham (updated 01-Feb-2012)
- Douglas, Isle of Man (updated 01-Aug-2021)
- Edinburgh (updated 01-Jun-2020)
- Glasgow (updated 01-Oct-2021)
- Liverpool (new 01-Oct-2001)
- London (updated 01-Sep-2020)
- Matlock, Derbyshire (updated 01-May-2020)
- Other Cities (updated 01-Sep-2025)
- Sioux City, Iowa (new 01-Oct-2016)
- Grand Rapids, Michigan (new 01-Sep-2016)
- St Paul, Minnesota (new 01-Oct-2016)
- Omaha, Nebraska (updated 01-Oct-2024)
- Providence, Rhode Island (updated 01-Aug-2018)
- Lisbon (updated 01-Sep-2025)
- Paris (new 01-Nov-2003)
- Who Was Important in the History of the Cable Car? (updated 01-Feb-2025)
- Why do I Maintain This Site? (updated 01-Nov-2021)
- News (updated 01-Sep-2025)
- 2025 Anniversaries (updated 01-Jul-2025)
- Thanks/Links (updated 01-Jun-2023)
- What's New (updated every month)
- Ten and Twenty Years Ago (updated every month)
- San Francisco Cable Car Chronology by Walter Rice and friends (updated 01-Mar-2025)
- Miscellany (updated 01-Apr-2025)
- Site Map (updated 01-May-2024)
- Bibliography (updated 01-May-2016)
- Guest Book (new 01-Sep-1998)
- Picture of the Month (updated every month)
- Search This Site (updated 01-Oct-2006)
- Legal Stuff (modified 01-Jul-2001)
News
Lisbon Funicular Fatal Crash - 05-September-2025
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| (Source: Google News, 04-September-2025 September 2025 Picture of the Month. |
Lisbon has three street-running funiculars. On 04-September-2025, the Elevador da Glória (Route 51e) suffered a fatal crash when the upper car ran away and hit a building. At least 17 are dead. Image courtesy of Google News.
Powell-Hyde Street Cars Suspended - 18-August-2025
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All Powell-Hyde cars were stopped by a bumper bar signal. The signal indicates that there may be a loose strand on the cable.
All Powell Street Cars Blocked by Emergency Vehicles - 17-August-2025
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All Powell Street cars were blocked by emergency vehicles on Powell between Geary and Post.
Powell Street Cable Issue - 14-August-2025
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Powell Street cable service was stopped because of a cable issue.
Powell Street Cable Cars Blocked by Emergency Vehicles - 13-August-2025
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All Powell Street cable cars were blocked by emergency vehicles on Powell between Sacramento and Clay.
History in Motion -- Jackson and Fillmore -- 08-August-2025
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A view of the corner of Jackson and Fillmore in 1948. We see Calvary Presbyterian church in the background.
The complete blog post, with photos from 1982 and 2025:
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Calvary Presbyterian Church at Fillmore and Jackson directed people to take the "Powell-Jack, Cable." It is a beautiful church which I have visited several times. (Source: San Francisco Examiner, 15-November-1947, page 6). |
All Powell Street Cable Cars Delayed - 07-August-2025
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All Powell Street cable cars were delayed by a mechanical issue at Washington/Mason.
Use Clipper on the Cables - 07-August-2025
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Bay Area Clipper suggests using their card to ride the cable cars. The conductors use hand-held devices to check fares.
Powell Mason Street Cable Service Stopped by Turntable Issues - 06-August-2025
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A turntable problem at Bay and Taylor delayed Powell-Mason service.
Powell/Hyde Track Issue - 28-July-2025
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Powell/Hyde cable service was suspended because of a track issue at Hyde/Beach.
Powell/Mason Cable Issue - 27-July-2025
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Powell/Mason cable service was suspended overnight because of a cable issue. A two-bus shuttle covered the line.
Powell Street Cable Cars Delayed - 25-July-2025
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Powell Street cable cars were delayed by a collision of non-Muni vehicles. Cable cars switched back at Washington/Mason.
Psychedelic Muni Vehicles - 22-July-2025
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Mayor Daniel Lurie unveiled three Muni vehicles which received psychedelic wraps in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. What, no cable car?
Powell Hyde Service (Still?) Rerouted - 20-July-2025
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Powell/Hyde Street cars were rerouted to the Powell Mason line. This may been a continuation of the problem reported yesterday.
Powell Hyde Service Rerouted - 19-July-2025
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Powell Hyde service was blocked by Fire Department activity at Filbert and Union. Hyde Street cars were rerouted to the Powell Mason line.
California Street Cable Issue - 18-July-2025
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California Street cable service was suspended because of a cable issue near Powell Street. California Street cable service was replaced by buses. The outage extended overnight.
Powell/Mason Cable Issue - 17-July-2025
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Powell/Mason cable service was suspended because of a cable issue at Columbus Avenue and Lombard Street.
Powell/Hyde Delayed by Disabled Auto - 11-July-2025
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Powell/Hyde cable service was delayed at Greenwich by a disabled automobile.
California Street Service Blocked by Fire Department- 07-July-2025
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California Street service was blocked by Fire Department activity at California and Stockton Streets.
California Street Service Blocked by Fire Equipment- 07-July-2025
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California Street service was blocked by Fire Department activity at California and Hyde Streets.
General Cable Issue - 06-July-2025
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All cable service was delayed because of a cable issue. After lines were "back up and running," Powell/Hyde cas ran on the Powell/Mason line because of (another?) cable issue.
Powell/Hyde Cable Issue - 03-July-2025
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Powell/Hyde cable service was suspended because of a cable issue.
Powell Street Cable Cars Blocked - 01-July-2025
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All Powell Street cable cars were blocked by emergency vehicles at Powell and O'Farrell.
Muni Fare Changes - 01-July-2025
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New fares, including a $9 fare for cable car rides, took effect on 01-July-2025.
Hyde Street Service Delayed by Cable Check - 28-June-2025
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Hyde Street service was blocked because of a cable check. A bus shuttle ran from Washington/Mason to Hyde/Beach.
California Street Service Delayed by Disabled Car - 26-June-2025
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California Street service was delayed because of a disabled car near Front Street.
California Street Service Delayed by Vehicle Collision - 24-June-2025
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California Street service was delayed because of a "Muni-involved collision" near Drumm Street.
Powell/Hyde Cable Blocked - 06-June-2025
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Powell/Hyde cable service was blocked by construction work.
Powell/Mason Cable Issue - 02-June-2025
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Powell/Mason cable service was suspended because of a cable issue.
Cable Car Sheave Refurbishment/Replacement - 29-May-2025
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The project to refurbish all the sheaves on the cable car lines continues after initial delays.
Powell Street Cable Service Stopped by Turntable Issues - 22-May-2025
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A turntable problem at Powell/Market forced Mason and Hyde cars to turn back at Washington and Mason.
Powell Street Cable Cars Blocked - 21-May-2025
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All Powell Street cable cars were was blocked by emergency vehicles at Powell and Washington.
Powell Cable Cars Delayed/Cancelled Because of Issues - 20-May-2025
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May 20 was a bad day. Powell Street service was delayed then cancelled because of various issue.
Powell-Mason Cable Cars Held Because of Signal Issue - 20-May-2025
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Powell-Hyde Street cable cars were delayed because of a signal problem at Powell and Washington.
Powell-Hyde Cable Cars Delayed Because of Police Action - 20-May-2025
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Powell-Hyde Street cable cars were delayed because of police action.
Service Cancelled on Powell Street by Mechanical Issues - 19-May-2025
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Service on Powell street was stopped becuase of mechanical issues.
California and Powell Street Service Suspended During Protest March - 17-May-2025
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California and Powell Street cars had to hold position during a protest march.
California Street Service Delayed by Vehicle Collision - 15-May-2025
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California Street srvice was delayed because of a "Muni-involved collision" between Taylor and Jones.
Powell Street Service Interrupted by Vehicle Collision - 11-May-2025
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Powell/Mason and Powell/Hyde had to hold position because of a "Muni-involved collision."
California Street Suspended During Protest March - 01-May-2025
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California Street service was suspended during a May Day protest march.
Another Powell Street Cable Issue - 25-April-2025
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Powell Street service was down because of another cable issue.
Powell Street Cable Issue - 25-April-2025
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Powell Street service was down all night because of a cable issue. Hyde and Mason line cars turned back at Washington and Mason. Buses provided a shuttle service along Powell.
Powell Street Service Interrupted by Vehicle Collision - 24-April-2025
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Powell/Mason and Powell/Hyde service were delayed at Powell and Sacramento because of a Muni-involved collision. Hyde and Mason line cars turned back at Washington and Mason.
Cal Cable Delay - 18-April-2025
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Cal cable service was delayed at California and Taylor because a ruder needed medical attention.
Hyde Street Cable Inspection - 17-April-2025
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An inspection of the Hyde Street cable stopped service on the Powell/Hyde line. Powell/Hyde cars were redirected to the Powell/Mason line.
All Cable Service Delayed by Mechanical Issues - 08-April-2025
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A turntable problem at Powell/Market delayed Powell/Mason and Powell/Hyde service. Buses provided service from Market to the car barn, while Mason and Powell cars turned back at Washington and Mason. A switch issue at California and Drumm delayed Cal Cable service.
Powell/Mason Street Cable Cars Blocked by EV - 05-April-2025
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A disabled electric vehicle blocked the Powell/Mason line at Mason and Broadway.
Powell Street Strand Alarm - 03-April-2025
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A strand alarm on Powell Street forced inbound Mason and Hyde line cars to switch back at Washington and Mason. A strand alarm indicates that strands of wire which form the cable may have come loose. This can cause cars to run away.
Cal Cable Blockage - 01-April-2025
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Because of police ativity at California and Larkin, Cal cable service was blocked. Not an April Fool's gag.
Powell/Mason Cable Bustitution - 27-March-2025
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Because of a damaged cable, buses replaced Powell/Mason cable service.
Powell Street Cable Issue - 15-March-2025
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Service on the Powell cable lines was disrupted because of a cable issue.
Powell Hyde Cable Issue - 14-March-2025
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Service on the Powell Hyde line was disrupted because of a cable issue.
Powell Street Power Issue - 12-March-2025
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Service on the Powell Street lines was disrupted because of a power issue.
Powell Street Cable Replacement - 12-March-2025
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Because of a cable replacement project, the last inbound Powell Mason and Powell Hyde Street cars would leave the outer terminals at 9pm.
Powell Hyde Service Rerouted - 10-March-2025
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Powell Hyde Street service was blocked by Fire Department activity on Jackson Street between Jones and Leavenworth. Hyde Street cars were rerouted to the Powell Mason line.
Cable Issue Interrupts all Service- 02-March-2025
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Service on the all cable lines was disrupted by a cable issue at California and Powell.
California Street Service Blocked - 01-March-2025
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California Street service was blocked by Fire Department activity.
Market Street Turntable Issue - 25-February-2025
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Service on the Powell cable lines was disrupted and rerouted because of a mechanical issue with the turntable at Powell and Market.
Powell/Hyde Bumper Bar Alert - 24-February-2025
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Service on the Powell/Hyde cable line was delayed because of a bumper bar alert.
Cable Car Sheave Refurbishment/Replacement - 23-February-2025
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Intermittent cable car outages will be caused by a project to refurbish all the sheaves on the cable car lines. The project will run through 16-May-2025.
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Presidents' Day/NBA All Star Game/Chinese New Year Parade Weekend - 08-February-2025
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Events in San Francisco during Presidents' Day weekend included the Chinese New Year Parade and the National Basketball Associations's All Star Game and associated events. Muni offered free rides except on the cable cars.
The NBA asked to have a cable car decorated in honor of the All Star Game. Val Lupiz and his crew decorated Car 16, whose blue and gold colors are also the colors of the Golden State Warriors.
Val and his crew decorated Car 1 as a tribute to the Lunar New Year.
Lurie Family Rides a Cable Car - 08-January-2025
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Before his inauguration as Mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie and his family took a ride on a cable car.
Powell/Mason Service Down - 08-Janury-2025
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Powell/Mason service was down because of a cable that had to be spliced. Powell/Mason cars were redirected to the Hyde line.
Cable Car Fare Increase - 01-Janury-2025
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Effective today, the single ride cable car fare leapt up to $8.
BART to OAK Interruption - 30-December-2024
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A BART alert about a service interruption on BART to OAK. |
Service on BART to OAK, the 3.2 mile cable-driven automated people mover (APM) which shuttles passengers from the Coliseum/Oakland Airport BART Station to the Oakland Airport (OAK) was interrupted by a power outage.
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BART to OAK sticker on a fare gate at Colma BART Station. November, 2014. |
California Street Cable Cars Delayed - 29-December-2024
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California Street cable cars were delayed by a collision of non-Muni vehicles at California and Mason.
Powell Street Cable Cars Turned Back - 29-December-2024
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Inbound Powell Street cable cars were forced to turn back at Washington and Mason when Powell Street was blocked by emergency vehicles at Powell and Bush.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway Service Suspended -- 07-December-2024
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An old postcard view of the Lookout Mountain incline. |
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, a funicular in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was badly damaged by a wildfire. Service may be suspended for several months. Many ties, much rail and the cable need to be replaced.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is operated by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA).
Decorating Cable Cars -- News Story -- 06-December-2024
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KNTV-Channel 11 ran a story about cable cars being decorated by Val Lupiz and his growing team of elves. Calling this a "New San Francisco Tradition" is inappropriate because Val has been doing this for 20 years, and the tradition of decorating cars goes back much farther.
New San Francisco tradition rolls out with decorating cable cars
Cable Cars Temporarily Replaced by Buses - 25-November-2024
Because of planned street closures, California Street cable cars were completely replaced by buses and Powell Street lines ran from the car barn to the outer terminals all day on Monday and Tuesday (25-26-November).
Cable Cars Threatened With Service Cuts - 13-November-2024
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Roland Li's article in the 13-November-2024 San Francisco Chronicle, "S.F. Muni faces ‘terrifying’ cuts, possible cable car closures due to deficit," says that the failure of Proposition L in the November election will cause major deficits, which may lead to large service cuts and "cable car closures." I'm not sure how cable car service can be cut because Section 16.100 of the San Francisco City Charter requires Muni to maintain a certain level of service on the cable car lines.
Powell Street Cable Cars Turned Back Because of Police Action - 13-September-2024
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All Powell Street cable cars were forced to turn back at the cable car barn because of police action around the Powell Street BART station.
The $50M Problem Lurking Behind One of SF's Biggest Attractions - 09-August-2024
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Freelance writer Tamara Palmer published an essay about her experiences riding a cable car for the first time in
about 30 years. Standing on the running boards, she felt scared and got off after a few blocks. She invoked a novel
about a serial killer. She concludes " I couldn’t help but wonder after my fearsome ride if cable cars, or certain
intersections, are notably dangerous." I think she overreacted, but the essay is worth a read:
Read it here.
Cable Cars Replaced by Buses - 09-August-2024
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All California Street cable car service and parts of Powell Street service were replaced by buses on 10- and 11-August while presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris spent two days at the Fairmont Hotel while on a fundraising visit.
COVID-19 Continues - 01-August-2024
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Powell Street Lines Delayed - 29-July-2024
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COVID-19 Continues - 01-July-2024
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| kp.org |
Slay the Holidays - 01-July-2024
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The San Francisco MTA (Municipal Transportation Agency) is selling Christmas sweaters with cable car images.
2025 Anniversaries
250 years ago - 1775
Apr 19 - British Redcoats and American Minutemen exchanged the first shots of the American Revolution in Lexington, Massachusetts. Eight Americans died and the Minutemen ran. The British marched towards Concord, planning to seize arms stored by the colonials.
Apr 19 - British Redcoats found and destroyed some of the colonial arms hidden in Concord, Massachusetts. When the British prepared to leave, they found that hundreds of Minutemen had gathered. The British ran for Boston, suffering 273 casualties before a rescue party reached them.
May 10 - The Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia.
Jun 15 - George Washington received command of the Continental Army.
Jun 17 - The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Breed's Hill near Boston, Massachusetts.
175 years ago - 1850
May 1 - Alcalde John White Geary, later a general in the Civil War, was sworn in as
the first Mayor of San Francisco
May 4 - The Second Great Fire destroyed the entire block bounded by Kearny, Clay,
Montgomery and Washington
Jun 14 - The Third Great Fire destroyed the area between Clay and California
from Kearny to the waterfront
Sep 9 - California was admitted to the Union as the 31st state
Sep 17 - The Fourth Great Fire destroyed the area bounded by Dupont, Montgomery,
Washington and Pacific
Oct 18 - The Steamer Oregon arrived with news that California had been
admitted to the Union
150 years ago - 1875
Sep 9 - Actress Lotta Crabtree dedicated Lotta's Fountain to the citizens of San Francisco
at the intersection of Geary, Kearny and Market streets
??? ?? - The old Ferry Building opened at the foot of Market Street
125 years ago - 1900
Mar 28 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) West Denver line converted to electricity
Mar 29 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) Welton line converted to electricity
Apr 01 - Denver City Cable Company (Denver, Colorado) Larimer line converted to electricity
Apr 24 - Andrew Smith Hallidie died
May 02 - Grand Avenue Railway (Kansas City, Missouri) converted its Westport line to electricity
Sep 04 - Front Street Cable Railway (Seattle, Washington) converted to electricity. The section on Queen Anne Hill was converted to a counterbalance.
Oct 08 - St Louis Railroad (St Louis, Missouri) converted to electricity
Oct 30 - Metropolitan Street Railway (Kansas City, Missouri) converted its 18th-19th Street line to electricity
? - New South Wales Government Tramways (Sydney, Australia) converted to electricity
? - Kaikorai Tramway (Dundein, New Zealand) opened
New York Giants record: 60-78, 8th place. Managers: Buck Ewing, George Davis.
100 years ago - 1925
Jul 01 - Market Street Railway Castro cable car no. 2 was fitted with a cable grip and brakes operated by air. The company felt that air grips could displace the present "unwieldy manually operated grip, give more space and convenience for passengers, and materially lighten the work of gripmen." A second Castro cable car No. 6 received the air grip and braking system on July 16, 1925.
New York Giants record: 93-60, 1st place. The Giants played their fourth straight World Series. They lost to the Washington Senators 4 games to 3. Manager: John McGraw
75 years ago - 1950
Mar 24 - A Powell Street cable car hit an auto at Powell and Post.
May 01 - Public Utilities Commission Manager James Turner announced that cable car operation on Powell Street is suspended from May 1 to May 14, 1950, inclusive for the installation of a new turntable at Powell and Market Streets. The new turntable replaced the original Ferries and & Cliff House Railway (Powell Street Railway) turntable that has been in use since March 28, 1888. Monday, May 15, 1950, service was resumed on both the Washington-Jackson and Powell-Mason cables. During the 15-day suspension, buses covered both Powell lines.
Jun 20 - San Francisco Powell cable car No. 524 had been shipped to Los Angeles for the 1950 Shriners convention, representing San Francisco’s Islam Temple; 524 was towed down that city’s Broadway on its own trucks using Los Angles Transit Lines’ narrow gauge trackage as part of the Shriners parade. Ironically, Los Angles Transit Lines employees were on strike.
Jun 20 - Cal Cable files a suit against the City of San Francisco, seeking financial relief from removing and then replacing its tracks at Hyde Street and Broadway in connection with Broadway tunnel construction. The company objected to closing down the line for six months during construction and sought to have all costs it incurs because of the project of the paid for by the City.
Aug 14 - Cal Cable's O'Farrell, Jones and Hyde cable car service north of California Street is replaced by shuttle buses (San Mateo-Burlingame Transit, Ford buses) to Chestnut Street only because of Broadway Tunnel construction.
Aug 21 - The San Francisco Grand Jury reported that during the calendar year 1949 Muni’s Powell Street cable cars lost $145,089. The railway "is powerless to eliminate the loss, as the voters mandated continuance of the Municipal cable cars." Heavy capital expenditures for track and "other essentials" will be required to keep cable cars in operation. The operating costs, per vehicle service hour, were trolley buses $4.72, motor buses $5.15 streetcars (two-man) $ 8.76 and cable cars $9.52.
Sep 17 - "Service on Line No. 59 (Powell-Mason cable car) will be discontinued on account of construction work on the Broadway Tunnel. A partial substitution of service will be instituted by motor coaches to connect with Line No. 60 (Washington-Jackson cable car) at Powell and Washington Streets." Muni "NOTICE TO PUBLIC" dated September 13, 1950.
Oct 28 - Santa Claus rode a cable car to the Emporium to unveil the Christma windows.
New York Giants record: 73-81, 5th place. Manager: Leo Durocher.
50 years ago - 1975
Apr 08 - Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run, taking the lifetime home run record from Babe Ruth
Sep 03 - John (the Count) Montefusco made his first appearance for the Giants. He made an eight inning relief appearance, hit a two-run homer, and beat the Dodgers 9-5.
San Francisco Giants record: 72-90, 5th place. Managers: Charlie Fox, Wes Westrum
25 years ago - 2000
Jan 11 - The California street line shut down for conduit reconstruction
Apr 24 - The California street line back in service after conduit reconstruction
Jul 16 - Frank Ware won the 37th annual Bell Ringing Contest
Jul 26 - A Powell/Hyde car stopped suddenly when the grip shank hit a coupler pin which fell from another car
Sep 10 - A loose strand stopped the Powell street cable for about eight hours
Oct 13 - A Powell/Hyde cable car hit an auto at Washington and Taylor. The auto hit a pedestrian
San Francisco Giants record: 86-76 2nd place. Manager: Dusty Baker.
What's New
- 06-September-2025
- Picture of the Month: Lisbon's Elevador da Glória (Route 51e) a street-running funicular, suffered a fatal crash
- On the Other Cities page: A ten-year update about street-running funiculars in Lisbon, Portugal , with several Carrus website items about the Elevador da Bica, the Elevador da Glória and the Elevador do Lavra. The Elevador da Glória suffered a fatal crash.
- Archived June 2025 What's New
- 01-August-2025
- Picture of the Month: Grip car and trailer 6 of Lisbon's Graça line were built by the German Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. I wonder if it on a transfer table. Photo courtesy of Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
- On the Other Cities page: A ten-year update about the Nova Companhia dos Ascensores Mecânicos de Lisboa, which operated two Hallidie-type cable car lines in Lisbon
- On the Cable Tramways in Australia and New Zealand page: The extended 2025 Annual Maintenance Shutdown of the Wellington Cable Car
- On the Kansas City page: Added the logo of the modern KC Streetcar
- Added News items about cable car operating issues and Muni's psychedlic-wrapped vehicles
- Archived May 2025 What's New
- 01-July-2025
- Picture of the Month: The grip car of the Western Cable Railway (source An Inclined Cable Railway for Transferring Freight Cars Between the Upper and Lower Yards of the Western Cable Railway Co., St. Louis, MO. By Edw. Flag, Member, Engineers' Club Of St. Louis.).
- On the new Cable Car Lines in Saint Louis page: The freight-hauling Western Cable Railway, which was not a Hallidie-type cable car line
- Added News items about cable car operating issues and information about Muni fare changes
- Archived April 2025 What's New and January-June 2024 news items.
Go to top of page.
Ten and Twenty Years Ago
Ten Years Ago
- 01-September-2015
- Picture of the Month: Car 4 of Lisbon's Camões-Estrela line was built by the German Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. I wonder if it on a transfer table. Photo courtesy of Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
- On the Other Cities page: A new article about the street-running funiculars in Lisbon, Portugal , with several photos of the Elevador do Lavra
- On the Municipal Railway page: The San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency announces measures to improve the safety of cable car crews
- Archived June 2015 What's New
- 01-August-2015
- Picture of the Month: Car 4 of Lisbon's Camões-Estrela line was built by the German Maschinenfabrik Esslingen. I wonder if it on a transfer table. Photo courtesy of Maschinenfabrik Esslingen.
- On the Other Cities page: A new article on the Nova Companhia dos Ascensores Mecânicos de Lisboa, which operated two Hallidie-type cable car lines in Lisbon
- On the Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest page, added photos and videos of the 52nd Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest
- Added News and information about Muni fare changes
- Archived May 2015 What's New
- 09-July-2015
- On the Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest page, added results for the 52nd Annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest
- 01-July-2015
- Picture of the Month: At the 2013 Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest, Emcee Deb Durst interviews grand champion Carl Payne. The 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1989 champion gave an exhibition performance. The 2015 Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest will take place on Thursday, July 9 at Noon in Union Square
- On the new Cable Car Lines in Saint Louis page: The freight-hauling Western Cable Railway, which was not a Hallidie-type cable car line
- Archived April 2015 What's New and January-June 2014 news items.
Twenty Years Ago
- 01-Sep-2005
- Picture of the Month: A Peter Ehrlich photo of Dunedin, NZ cable tram 95.
- On the Australia/New Zealand page: Peter Ehrlich's photos of a Dunedin cable tram
- On the San Francisco page: Part Four of Walter Rice and Emiliano Echevarria's "When Steam Ran on the Streets of San Francisco: The Ocean Shore Railroad"
- Added News and Bibliography items about accidents at Powell and California and California and Drumm. Also news items about the abusive $5 fare and the presentation of a cable car bell to the outgoing Archbishop
- On the New York/New Jersey page: More 1887 newspaper articles about the first cable car line in Brooklyn, New York. The Rope Broke, about a rope break, and DISSATISFACTION ON THE CABLE ROAD, about labor unrest and a possible shutdown
- On the Decorated Cable Cars page: Cable cars in the 2005 San Francisco Carnaval Parade.
- Added more Chronology items
- Archived June 2005 What's New.
- 01-Aug-2005
- Picture of the Month: A Walter Rice photo of Powell Street car 25 with the round dash signs it sported until 1982.
- On the Cable Car Transfers, Tickets, Tokens and Signage page: Thanks to Walter Rice and Val Lupiz, a collection of Powell Street dash signs. Also an 1898 Cal Cable dividend check.
- On the San Francisco page: Walter Rice has two more stories about Samuel Kahn, Market Street Railway's principal owner: "Samuel Kahn Paints a Streetcar White," about private party car San Francisco, and "Samuel Kahn, Inventor," about the creation of the White Front Car, with a copy of the patent
- Also on the San Francisco page: Thanks to Phil Hoffman, an item about the movie I Love a Soldier, which featured Barry Fitzgerald as a gripman. Also thanks to Phil Hoffman, an update to the item about the movie In Harm's Way.
- On the New York/New Jersey page: More 1887 newspaper articles about the first cable car line in Brooklyn, New York. A CABLE CAR ACCIDENT, about a pedestrian getting injured, and . EXTENDING THE CABLE ROAD, about extending the cable and possibly running cars across the Brooklyn Bridge using the Johnson system
- Thanks to Phil Hoffman, added Chronology
item about Adlai Stevenson campaigning from the back platform of Powell
car 504 in 1956. Added a Time Magazine photo of the event to the
article on Photos of Car 44 (retired Powell
Street car 504/4) at Pac Bell Park
- Added more Chronology items
- Archived May 2005 What's New.
- 14-Jul-2005
- Added the results of the 2005 Bell Ringing contest.
- 01-Jul-2005
- Picture of the Month: Jim Walker's 1962 photo of Cal Cable car 42 at a feed lot in Betteravia, California.
- On the Cable Car Transfers, Tickets, Tokens and Signage page: Thanks to Walter Rice, Rudy Brandt's 1945 Muni employee pass and his 1944 union card, and a menu from the Cable Car Cafe on Bay Street
- On the San Francisco page: Walter Rice has more stories about Samuel Kahn, Market Street Railway's principal owner
- On the New York/New Jersey page: More 1887 newspaper articles about the first cable car line in Brooklyn, New York.
- Added another News items about the return of Cal Cable car 42.
- Added Bibliography items about a US News & World Report article and an obituary for Brian Jennings
- Archived April 2005 What's New.
Ten and Twenty Years Ago Archive
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since 01-March-2015.