Cable Cars

If you have walked around San Francisco's downtown, you'll know what I mean: the slopes are so steep, ordinary tramways could not drive up the hills.

The history of San Francisco's cable cars goes back to 1869, when Andrew Smith Hallidie, the owner of a wire-rope factory, saw a horse-drawn streetcar slide backwards under its heavy load, causing the death of five horses. This accident, together with his experience of the use of wire-rope for pulling cars in mines, brought Andrew Hallidie to build the first cable car in San Francisco. It took until 1873 before the first cabled streetcar started operations. The system was used in several other cities, but most switched to electric streetcars, which became practical in the late 19th century.

Several lines started operations in the late 19th and early 20th century. The decline of the cable cars started after the 1906 earthquake, when many cable cars were replaced by electric streetcars. In the 1940s, several lines were replaced by buses. In 1947, mayor Lapham tried to close the cable cars, but a committee set up to save the cable car system campaigned successfully to keep the cars in operation. In 1954 though, several lines were abolished, leading to the current 3 lines. Between 1982 and 1984, the cable car system, which was in a deplorable state, was rebuilt and the cars were renovated.

The three current operating lines are Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde and California lines. The first two start at a turntable at Market & Powell street and the last one starts at Market & Drumm Street.
The Powell-Mason  line runs over Nob Hill, Russian Hill and ends at Aquatic Park.
The Powell-Hyde  line runs over Nob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf.
The California Street  line runs from the Financial district over Chinatown, Nob Hill to the Van Ness Avenue.