How the San Francisco Cable Cars Works
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- čas přidán 1. 12. 2023
- San Francisco and its cable cars are synonymous. The cable cars have been running up and down the hills since 1873. Today, there are three lines left in the city. A single ride costs $8, but you can also ride the cable cars with a Muni Monthly Pass. As the last thing we during our short stay in San Francisco, we made sure to ride these iconic cars. It was an experience worth remembering.
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Alright guys. I’ve had about 10 comments saying “Washington DC never had cable cars.” You can trust that I do my research before I make every video, so here are the facts:
-In 1889, the government began allowing horse-drawn streetcars to be replaced by cable or underground electric systems.
-the Washington & Georgetown Railroad switched to cable cars
-in 1895 the Rock Creek Railway bought the W&G, forming the Capital Traction company.
-In 1897, a fire destroyed the cable house. So the CT decided to switch to an underground electric system.
The footage I show was of the Metropolitan Railroad, which did not use cable technology. That’s my mistake, but to claim DC never had cable cars is just plain false. Please do the same amount of research in your commenting as I do when I make these videos.
For future SF visitors: the Cable Car Museum is the hub where you can see the cable wheels turning. It's free admission.
Was just going to say that! I have lived here for 20 years and just went to that museum a couple years ago. It is really cool to see the machine in the basement that moves the cable throughout the entire city. In another quarter of the basement you can actually see through a glass window to see that cable running under the street.
Very much agreed if you did not go to the cable car museum/powerhouse you missed out, just means you need to come back for another visit and check it out. You can actually see all four of the cables in the building as well as the sheave room, which is quite fascinating, where the cables head out underneath the street. And there's a gift shop.
I’ve lived here all my life and have never gone 😂, I need to get there one day!!
I have been there! Great experience! In fact at 13:55 you were right next to it. It was the brick building with the large smokestack
I concur, a stop at the Cable Car Museum is well worth your time. In addition to being able to see the cable wheels turn, there are exhibits showing how all the mechanisms work.
Tip from a local: Try riding the cable cars at night. It's such a nice experience without the crowds or traffic.
Great tip! What time do they run until?
@@Thom-TRA about midnight
I used to live on Bush Street a block away from Powell. I had a lover who we would sometimes race over around 11:00 p.m. to get hot fudge sundaes at Fishermen’s Wharf. Totally missing the crowds
Agreed. I attended a couple of concerts at The Masonic Auditorium and walked to the cable car to head back down to Market Street. No crowds.
Looks like you were smart and waited out the morning and early afternoon when most people line up at Market St. Crowds are always thinner in mid-afternoon.
One of the nicest nights I've ever had is going to a comedy show at Cobb's by taking BART to Powell, and catching the cable car to north beach. On a slightly drizzly winter evening, the cable car ride is magical.
Bonus points if you put "I left my heart in San Francisco" on your headphones and time it so Tony Bennett's singing "little cable cars climb halfway to the stars" just as you're cresting the hill.
To go into more detail on the cable: Each cable is 3.2 cm in diameter, running at a constant speed of 9.5 miles per hour (or 15.3 km/h), and driven by a 510-horsepower electric motor located in the central powerhouse, which is now part of the cable car museum...FREE to get into! Each cable has six steel strands, and each strand contains 19 wires, wrapped around a sisal rope core to allow easier gripping. The cable is coated with a synthetic lubricant to reduce wear and friction. Historically, pine tar was used to lubricate the cable. The grip's jaws exert a pressure of up to 30,000 pounds per square inch on the cable!
There are four separate cables: one that's 4,900 m (or 16,000 feet) length and one 3,100 m (or 10,300 feet) length for the Hyde and Mason segments respectively, a 2,800 m (or 9,300 feet) length for the Powell section, and one 6,400 m (or 21,000 feet) length for the California Street line!
Crazy to think the cable is so small really
Or that a single 510hp motor moves all those cable cars!
I believe that is one motor per cable, so four motors total. I would imagine that they have at least one spare on site, to be hoisted into place when a motor is nearing end of life, or fails unexpectedly.
I haven’t lived in San Francisco for many years, but I know the cable itself is a wear item and must be replaced periodically.
We were in San Francisco September 2022, sadly before the new subway opened, and I said I'd never fall for the cable car tourist trap. The lines to get on the Powell lines were insane, but no waits on California Street so we rode it. What a hoot, and an amazing rolling piece of history. The $8 cost is high, but at the time it was Bart's 50% off to celebrate 50 years of operation so |I guess we came out even.
I’m proud of you haha
I was lucky enough to ride 2 cable cars on my commute back in the 1970's. First a Powell car from Ellis Street up the hill to California Street, then a California car down to my office in Chinatown. Riding inside the dimly lit cabin of a Powell car on a dark, foggy .morning truly felt like stepping back in time.
As an SF resident, I don't ride the cable cars regularly, but as a monthly pass holder for everything else Muni, I will definitely walk a little out of the way to catch a ride if it's otherwise convenient. They're old, clanky, noisy, and an absolute delight. It's a great place to see tourists of all stripes enjoying their time in the city.
P.S. You don't have to worry about them going away any time soon -- they've been written into the city charter!
I would totally do the same if I lived there! I’m always looking for excuses to spruce up my commute
I did that all the time growing up in SF. That was back in the days when a Cable Car ride cost the same as any other Muni ride… 25 cents! (or 10 cents if you had a 10-rides-for-a-dollar Student “bus ticket”).
When I visited San Francisco for the fist tone almost a decade ago, I had a special experience at the cable car museum.
I walked by the cable car depot and took some Photos from the stored cars in the barn (from the outside). An employee came by saw me and gave me a small tour through the barn.
I'm very sure this was against the rules and he wasn't allowed to do that. But it was nice. I think you was just a very happy person who loved to operate or maintain the cable cars and wanted to show it another train loving person.
Wow! That’s so lucky! I’m sure they enjoyed it just as much as you did
We visited 3 years ago and only had 72 hrs. We enjoyed riding all the lines and visiting the museum even though it poured with rain all the time. Many thanks for all your videos.
Were you decently protected from the rain?
I was wondering which kind of grip you had, unfortunately you had a conservative one. There are 2 different ways for a cable car to come down that Powell street hill from California: They can ride the cable -- which is safer and which your grip did; or they can drop the cable and let gravity pull them down at a higher speed and then use the brakes to slow and stop at Pine. In that case the passengers are usually happily screaming. (I live at Powell and Pine.)
Here's the amazing thing about this 19th century technology: It is pollution free (especially now that it is powered by hydro-electric power) and it is the only form of public transportation that doesn't have to carry around an engine/motor or a fuel supply. As a result the cars are simple, light, and would be inexpensive if they weren't still constructed using period techniques.
I'm glad you guys had a good time. The Cable Car Museum at Mason and Washington is definitely worth a visit. It is also the working barn for the system.
thank you for making these videos btw, as someone who grow up in the bay its kind of easy to take things like muni and bart for granted but seeing your vids last few weeks has reminded me how lucky we are here in the bay from a transit standpoint.
You’re welcome!
Back in the 1970's, there were no organized queues at the turntables. Anyone was welcome to step up and lend a hand in turning the car. Yes, it WAS fun! And you got first dibs on the prized front seat or running board spot.😊
Great video. It made me homesick for my old hometown. Kudos to you for riding on the running board, it's by far the best way to ride.
You mentioned the post-war fight to save the cable cars. The fight was led by an intrepid woman named Friedel Klussmann, who formed the Citizens' Committee to Save the Cable Cars which brought the issue to a vote of the citizens, which passed overwhelmingly. At 10:36 on your video, you can see the Hyde Street turnaround has been named in honor of Ms. Klussmann.
as a bay area native, i love the cable car. i used to ride it for free as a kid because my dad was friends with one of the operators. btw something i know cable car operators and even bus and trolly bus operators on muni say is that youre not supposed to call them "drivers" its operators. im pretty sure this is unique to muni at least locally because ac transit drivers do call themselves bus drivers.
Great video, I have enjoyed your tour of SF transit over the last couple of weeks. Even though I live in the Bay Area, it is interesting to hear the history and backstory of each transit system in more detail.
Instead of waiting at the Powell & Market turnaround, walk up two blocks to the next stop and you'll be able to get on easily. They always leave with a few empty seats to pick up people at other stops.
Or, you could do what we did in the video and get on at the other end of the line
Thom, thank you so much for the great Bay Area series. It looks like the weather was spectacular for your cable car day. At one point in my San Francisco working career I was living in Walnut Creek and worked in SF at California and Van Ness. It was actually very convenient (although not so cheap) to take BART to Embarcadero and hop on the California Street cable car in front of the Embarcadero Hyatt, right outside the exit from BART. From there it was a smooth ride up California St to the terminus at Van Ness, right next to my office. Great views, and never crowded. I’m retired now and living in Southern California, but I try to make it back to explore the City whenever I can. Your videos reminded me how beautiful it can be. ❤ Cheers!
The wind was a little chilly but the sunshine was gorgeous! What part of SoCal are you in?
@@Thom-TRA San Diego - Home to the Pacific Surfliner and many trolleys!
What an exhilarating experience to stand on the step and hold on, I can definitely tell that alone made your whole day! You have become one with the cable car! San Francisco is extremely lucky to have such a cool system! NYC used to have street cable cars too! In East Harlem, there is a hill called Duffy's Hill. It drops 28 feet in 200 feet and is the steepest hill in Manhattan. It was named for Michael James Duffy, a Tammany Hall Alderman who built 26 rowhouses there. The hill was the home of many cable car accidents because the cars had to quickly accelerate and decelerate at this point. The corporation that ran the cable cars had a 24-hour guard stationed at the base of the hill by 1937 to watch over incidents.
And I'm glad you mentioned funiculars, because they are just as cool too! Some of my favorite funiculars are Haifa's Carmelit, Llandudno's Great Orme Tramway, Pittsburgh's Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines, and Istanbul's Tünel! Interestingly enough, the Great Orme Tramway has a street section that's similar to the SF cable cars but operates differently as cars are permanently fixed to the cable and are stopped and started by stopping and starting the cable, unlike San Francisco. Thus, it's considered to be a funicular tram.
I am kind of obsessed with funiculars. I like to go out of my way to ride them.
So Happy For You, You Can Tell That Smile Was Full Of Joy!! You Should Check Out The San Diego Transit Sometime.🌴 Love Your Channel!!
I will!
Thanks for highlighting San Francisco and telling us the history!
My understanding is that the "older" line, that is, the California has "superiority" and their line runs on top at an intersection. Therefore, the California grip can grab the line, whereas the Hyde must detach and coast through the diamond. You do coast around downhill corners as you say, as the cable goes to a pulley and makes a 90° turn while the cable car "cuts" the corner and coasts. There are corners that turn uphill and are powered by the cable. The mechanism used on a "power" corner is quite ingenious. There is a video on here that explains it quite well. As always, a most awesome video. Many thanks.
It is fascinating just how much of the train’s operation is left to pure physics.
I love the cable cars. I was there in October and rode the same line you did from fisherman's wharf. It was busy but I stood on the back platform with the brakeman. Look forward to your Caltrain video. I rode that to San Jose. I took the express outbound and the local on the return. A gallery car outbound, which have awful suspension. And a bombardier on the return which was a much smoother ride. Great to see the electric double deck stadler flirts at San Jose. Can't wait to see them in service .
I’m sure the conductor had some great stories to tell!
Right before the corner on Powell and Washington streets is one of my favorite coffee shops called The Coffee Movement. As an SF native I must admit I've never used the cable cars (and I should) but I love going to this coffee shop to sit outside and watch the trains pass by.
We’re always looking for new coffee recommendations
Thanks for acknowledging the comments about the about the freebie ride if you have a pass. I would totally buy the paper ticket if I were visiting as a souvenir. It looks pretty! And thanks for your video because seeing you very happy on it has made me also very happy!
Glad my happiness is contagious :)
As a former SF Resident. I took the Cable Cars daily to my workplace in Chinatown.
Back in the 70’s the public used to be allowed to help the Conductor and Gripman push the Cable Car around the turntable.
My first ride was in the late seventies before the renovation. If memory serves , the system pricing was pretty low , same for residents who used it to commute, and for visitors. After the renovation the price went up a lot as they targeted the tourist market. In any event the cable cars are very fun , a great way to take in the awesome scenery . SF is American’s most beautiful city.
I was amazed by the beauty of the city
I live inland but I go any chance I get, good job going on the cable car from Fisherman’s wharf. I always tell people visiting the city for the first time to ride it back to Powell Street, there’s almost never a line going back.
Glad my advice is sound! Lol
Nice video. It reminded me of the time I rode the cable cars. Very enjoyable.
Don’t hate me- one last comment
Lots of competition among the CC crews. Right now the cable cars are decorated for Christmas! If you can get out there plan on a day taking the cable car around and going to the hotels. The lobbies are decorated with giant gingerbread houses for the annual competition. Ice skating under the Christmas tree. Macys has partnered again with the SPCA and are featuring cats and dogs for adoption in the windows with the fun pet friendly theme
I love Christmas festivities
Glad you like the Xmas decorations!! I am one of the operators who has been decorating for the last 15 years now. (And btw, the job titles are 'gripman' and 'conductor')
@@gripmann Gripman! An impressive job. Respect
@@gripmann Hi again. Yes I lived on California Street and got to know many a gripman and conductor. I even got my Cable Car sweatshirt from Rex
I took the cars years ago and enjoyed it every bit as much as you. This past year I took a cable car in Wellington, New Zealand, which was also extremely fun.
You got to travel to NZ this year? How cool!
The Wellington Cable Car is a funicular rather than a true cable car: the cars are permanently attached to the cable, which stops and starts as required, while a cable car grips and releases a continuously-moving cable.
Years ago passengers helped turn the cable cars around on the turntables. Then SF Muni got worried about people getting hurt and suing, so now only cable car operators can turn the cable cars around. Also, I only know one person who used the cable cars as part of their commute, and that was the California line, which has always been the least used of the lines. Otherwise, if you need to be somewhere by a certain time, don't use the cable cars to get there. They have supposed schedules, but rarely seem to worry about keeping on time.
I didn’t know passengers used to be able to push the cable cars on the turntables!
@@Thom-TRA Until the 1970s, passengers were allowed to help the crews turn the cable cars, but this is no longer permitted. Also until that time, passengers could jump onto the cable car as soon as the gripman began coasting toward the turntable, getting a free spin on the turntable as well as guaranteeing the seat of their choice for the upcoming ride. This too is now forbidden for safety reasons, with boarding strictly controlled by a queue.
Until about the 1970s, passengers were allowed to help turn the cable car around.
I would have loved to do that
Not only that, there was no limit to the number of people allowed to hang on the outside. If you could get a foot on the running board and grab the pole, you were allowed to ride. IIRC, there was an injury and the MUNI's liability insurance forced changes, such as not allowing riders to help turn the car around and allowing only 2 standees between the poles.
There is one other cable car system still in operation in Llandudno Wales, but it's an older design and has different cables entering and leaving each station
It’s a funicular. The cars are permanently attached to the cable. There’s hundreds of those around the world.
I don’t think I’ve heard of the city of San Francisco until I was in like second grade. Then when I was in either fourth or fifth grade, a substitute teacher of mine told me that San Francisco has a cable car system and that’s how I knew for the first time, then I eventually looked into it. I could definitely not go to that city without riding one either.
I hope you get the chance someday!
How fun! It’s been 7 years since my last visit to San Francisco. This video makes me want to go back soon.
Do it!
Though not even half as fun, as you mentioned in a previous video, the BART Oakland Airport line is cable powered. If you are ever in the Bay Area again, it is worth a ride.
Haha the Bay Area’s other “cable car.” I’ll have to do it next time!
Glad to see you had fun riding the city's myriad transit forms.
I used to sometimes use the California St cable car, which never gets very crowded on weeknights, when I had extra time after work and wanted to wind down (hard to do on the 1 California bus which get jam-packed). I would take it up to Van Ness and then get on the 1 bus the rest of the way home. The views on California St are always stunning. My favorite time on the cable cars was on foggy and drizzly nights when you definitely get that Daschiell Hammett noir feel that so many novels write about.
There is a cable car museum within the cable car powerhouse and barn where the two Powell St lines meet up. You can see the big wheels that pull the big cables. Each wheel (turnwheel?) pulls the cable for a specific street (Powell, Mason, California, and Hyde). It's pretty cool. I used to think it would be cool to drive? a cable car but not only is it a very physical job (and I'm skinny with not much muscle) and that clutch would probably pull my arm out of its socket, but you also have to manage the passengers which is even harder.
People used to be able to jump on and off when I was a kid in the 70s but that is not allowed anymore but people still try it. Back in the 80s, I used to jump off once in awhile while it was slowing down at an intersection and it's fun but also a little scary. It's easy to misjudge the speed and could easily fall when you land. I think it's because in old movies and TV shows, people would jump on and off so it seemed like the fun thing to do. The accident you saw might have been from someone jumping on/ off or being careless while hanging on the pole.
Thom, as a british lawyer, your manners are impeccable - it is so nice to see such wholesome content. Thank you.
Good to know that if I ever get in trouble with the law in the UK I’ll have an attorney!
Love it, thanks for sharing
Great tip to board at Fisherman’s Wharf, or board at the street corners along the route like in the olden days. I almost got killed by a cable car in the city once, but was saved at the last second by an alert grip man who sounded the bell just in time. They have an annual contest to compete for showing their skills in ringing the bells. I’m a little surprised you didn’t include the cable car museum in this video, it’s a must see.
The museum is excellent, and that's where you see the machines that run the cables.
Your enthusiasm riding on the side step made me smile without even realizing :)
I guess it’s contagious haha!
Great video. Sometimes I fantasize about a cable-drawn Alstom Citadis on the california line, to make it modern transit.
That would be very cool-looking!
Thom, thank you so much for covering this amazing part of transit history! As a San Francisco local, cable cars are my life and I like to see other CZcamsrs covering this amazing part of my life!
Glad you enjoyed!
@@Thom-TRA Well I’m glad you enjoyed your ride on the world famous cable cars!
It’s been years since I’ve been to San Francisco and during my first visit, I did ride the cable cars because why not? I enjoyed it even though it’s clearly aimed for tourists, but that muni day pass was a lifesaver.
Also, your merch would be perfect fit at Transit Tee’s.
It should be mentioned that they accept the Clipper card now. Pretty much all public transit in the bay area does. Great way to get around!
We did it in the other direction,was fantastic views especially coming down to fishermans wharfe. Another great video with amazing memories, with the added bonus of the information on how it works..Thanks
I’m glad people seem to be appreciating the explainer of how they work
Great vlog guys! Love SF and the cable cars are awesome. Loved your smile while hanging on the outside. 😊
I’m happy to be watching y’all. ❤❤❤❤❤😊
Fifty years ago the riders were locals, not tourists. They queued up around the turntable and did not rush to board until the car was turned. In fact, the riders would help turn the car, then board. Very civilized. All changed when it became a tourist trap. The tourists would rush onto the car as soon as it stopped, keeping it from turning. Made the City turn to the current system.
I used to ride the cable car for work a couple days a week, up until around 2020, then my work route got bigger (I sell sake and have to visit restaurants around (now) the bay area) and was forced to drive 😢.
Also, the SF cable car lines were made a National Hiistoric Landmark in 1964z
Nice vid
The only time I ever rode the cable car in the 11 years I've lived here is when it was free for a month when they restored service after the pandemic.
Muni also operates the F market and wharves line which uses classic electrified streetcars that were acquired from systems all over the world who abandoned their streetcars for more modern versions. Yet another tourist trap, but also worth the money! my favorite are those from milan!
It’s almost as if I uploaded a video about the F Market & Wharves last week…
The F Market line is not exactly a tourist trap. It charges regular fare the same as all other bus, trolleybus, and streetcar lines in the city.
Would like to try this someday. I'm sure it's something on my dad's bucket list as well!
At 13:05, the crossover switch is to allow the California double ended cars coming from the Car House on Jackson to switch back on Hyde and head southbound to California street.
At the switch you'll see a lever that allows the crew to lift the cable to be grabbed by the grip.
Interesting! Thanks for explaining
Glad you had an enjoyable time in SF and I have enjoyed all of your videos. Many Bay Area residents these days avoid going into the city because of the crime and homelessness problems they have there.
What are you talking about? I live in Berkeley and everyone I know goes into SF all the time. Stop buying into the Fox News Propoganda
Cool video. Made me miss San Francisco. When I was a kid growing up there, I took the California cable car line to my school bus stop.
That’s so cool!
Cable cars are magnificent. Absolutely nonpareil. I was a cable car commuter as a resident of San Francisco, Embarcadero to Van Ness daily, frequently round trip. But that was the California line. All it does is go straight up and down California St. It get's to Van Ness and heads back the opposite direction, back to the Embarcadero. Those are all double enders, no need for a turnaround disc rotating platform. The best ride is the Powell ~ Hyde street run.
Not sure if our host mentioned that IF you happen to buy the monthly MUNI pass, it was good on ALL public transportation inside the City & County of San Francisco, including the cable car runs, as well as the BART system INSIDE the City. If you went beyond that you had to purchase a fared BART card. The MUNI pass activated the gates at the BART fare stations, and all I had to with the cable car conductor was flash the pass. This was during the 1980s.
I've lived in San Francisco for years now and somehow managed to avoid the cable car the entire time (saw it as a tourist trap lol) but after seeing how fun it looks I'll definitely be checking it out the first chance I get!
Please do. And then don’t beat yourself up for the terrible choice you’ve made, we all make mistakes! 😜 I’m just kidding
Great episode! Hope you went to the places I recommended 😊
If you’re looking to avoid lines the best way to get on the cable car is to get on at one of the stops along the street instead of getting on at the terminals.
on the downhill sections, they used to go much faster. The grip would just let gravity pull the cars and they'd get up to about 30mph. The really run part was when they'd go around corners at speed. It was like being on a rollercoaster. Unfortunately too many people weren't listening when they would say "HOLD ON CORNER COMING UP" and people would fly off.
Also if you look up vintage videos of the cable cars. Locals would help the staff turn them around and push off the turn tables.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a dumb tourist?
That's true about the downhill speed and warning!
i might have to cop that trains are awesome bart hoddie at 1:13 🔥🔥
Take advantage of the 10% off!
Good to see you chose one of those old-fashioned hostels with actual staff on the front desk rather than a robot 🤖
I only rode the SF cable car once, years ago. My family and I rode it at night from downtown to Pier 39. It was beautiful. I've also ridden the famous streetcars in New Orleans. Have you guys done that yet?
Louisiana is one of the two states I have yet to go to!
@@Thom-TRA Hope to see you there, one day.
Such an awesome video , thank you so much ...
I think it's one of the most beautiful videos of the Cable Car I've ever seen.
Greetings from a San Francisco - lover living in Germany ... 😀
Thank you so much! How many times have you been to San Fran?
@@Thom-TRA
I visited San Francisco 6 times (one time for two weeks - after my 4-week Canada-Alaska-Trip from Seattle to Fairbanks and Denali National Park driving the Icefield Parkway/Canada and Alaska-Highway) and I love this city.
But there are two more cities at the Pacific Coast I love so much.
These cities are Seattle (two times) and Vancouver/Canada (four times).
Greetings from Germany - I live at the Baltic Sea - to ????. 😉
I went out to San Francisco, California in 2022 for my birthday and riding the cable cars was one of the main reasons I went to San Francisco riding the cable cars was a fun experience. I jumped on the cable car and was hoping they wouldn't notice me they asked me if I had purchased a ticket I told them no thankfully a lady had an extra ticket and gave it to me. On my birthday I wanted to ride the cable cars one last time before leaving San Francisco I told the driver that today was my birthday and the driver gave me a free ride.
What an awesome and delightful video about the history of the cable cars and how they function!!! Along with getting to see you two ride and enjoy them. I never knew how they worked and you provided a detailed and interesting explanation. Just Awesome!!!
Brilliant video sir, love your videos and lynsdey pulling sil,y faces,
Thanks for a delightful ride! Brought back wonderful memories riding the cable cars!
BTW, if you get back to San Francisco, I believe you can get a one-, two-, or four-day pass, good anywhere on the Muni (including cable cars) from any hotel or from the Convention and Visitors Bureau that I believe still has an office in Hallidie Square, the downstairs plaza at Powell and Market.
I used mine on the bus once. The driver tried to take it away from me, but I refused, got off his bus and rode the next one.
The hill that Lombard Street sits on is called Russian Hill! Why Russian Hill? The name was selected during the Gold Rush era when settlers discovered that there was a Russian cemetery! This is because the Bay Area was once frequented by Russian merchant ships, and their crew members were buried at the cemetery. The Russians once had a settlement at Fort Ross in what's now Sonoma County. Lombard Street's design was suggested by property owner Carl Henry and built in 1922, intending to reduce the hill's natural 27 percent grade. Lombard Street was named after the one in Philadelphia by Jasper O'Farrell, who was San Francisco's first surveyor!
Lombard Street is the crookedest street in the world, but not the steepest! Other steep streets include Canton Ave in Pittsburgh, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, NZ, and Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, North Wales. Canton Ave is the steepest in the US! Baldwin Street in Dunedin is the steepest in the world according to the Guinness World Records! Though from July 2019 to April 2020, Ffordd Pen Llech claimed it had a gradient of 37.45% compared to Baldwin's 35%. But Guinness gave the record back to Dunedin because they determined the best way to measure and calculate was to do it from the centerline. According to that, Baldwin Street had a gradient of 34.8 percent while Ffordd Pen Llech had a gradient of 28.6 percent.
I just walked up the Exorcist steps in Georgetown yesterday. That was steep enough for me!
San Francisco's lesser known street in the Potrero Hill district, Vermont Street, on the other hand, is still in fact “crookeder.” A _California’s Gold_ episode from 2011 corroborates this fact. In the clip, representatives from the San Francisco Department of Public Works compare official city maps from the 1920s and calculate the streets side-by-side in a 100 foot section. It turns out that the curves in Vermont Street are in fact closer together.
Congratulations on 30,000!
Thanks for another great video. When I moved here from New York in 1973 the cable car fare was the same as the regular Muni fare (20 cents at the time!) but they were losing tremendous amounts of money due to the expense of maintaining the system. There was a debate whether to raise the fare to be higher than the rest of the system; the argument against raising it was that they didn't want it to seem like a tourist trap. But the costs kept rising, especially after the renovation in the 80's and so the fare was raised significantly. Even with the $8 fare they barely break even. I don't consider it a tourist trap; it's a nice thing to do every now and then, especially at night, after a show or dinner. You were lucky that you didn't have to deal with the usual larger crowds.
20 cents, wow! What was the reconstitution like in the 80s?
@@Thom-TRA I can beat that, I remember the fare being 15 cents. I lived on Russian Hill (Hyde and Broadway) when they shut down the cable cars prior to the Democratic convention in 1984. I commuted both to work and college on the Hyde Street line and taking the bus just wasn't the same (although in inclement weather, it was actually nicer). The streets were all torn up. For me, the worst part was they 'straightened out' the curves, the one from Washington onto Powell was particularly harrowing prior to the reconstruction, now it's a much more gentle, and far less thrilling, turn. In addition, they welded the tracks so there was much less clackity-clack and more whooosh.
When I worked in the Financial District in the 1990s, I found the California line Cable Car was the most enjoyable to way to get to my doctor's office near St. Francis Hospital, so that's how I went. I was also getting the monthly Muni pass back then so it was an easy choice. Great video!
It's always great when you can enjoy your commute!
I grew up in San Francisco and was a college student in the late ‘70s. My school was a block from where Powell crosses California. If I had an early class, I could ride the cable car from the foot of Powell St.
If my first class was later, I would have to carry 40 lbs (18 kg) of books and supplies up the hill, or walk up a couple blocks and hope for an open spot on a cable car.
I’m sure all those hills kept you fit!
@@Thom-TRA I think I weighed about 110 pounds back then. More than twice that today.
This is the best Vdo on SFO Cable car👍
Thank you!!
Actually, Muni has a special day pass for $13 on the app that allows for unlimited rides on the cable car and Muni buses and Muni Metro.
I’m glad to hear they still have that pass. I used to always get that every time I visited SF, usually a three day pass actually, you would scratch off the days. Made a great souvenir, I have a bunch in a drawer. Unfortunately I haven’t been to SF In nearly a decade. Puzzled about no line at the bayside end, I’ve stood in long lines there. It gets very chilly waiting when the wind is coming off the water, which is usually! But the ride is always fun!
@@jamesrea329 Yep, it does exist. The pass is much cheaper on the Muni app than if you were to buy it in person.
In the late 70s I worked near the top of Powell Street so my commute started on the historic streetcars down Market Street, then at the Powell turnaround I would jump on the cable car up Powell Street. Tourists would always yell at me for cutting line but this was my only way up that steep hill.
Great video! Years ago, I once took some overseas friends on the California line knowing it had a much shorter line to board (actually no wait at all). I'm still curious how when the cable car lines crossed, how do they release and re-grip the cable?
They let go, yes! They coast over the intersection. Same with switches, I believe.
@@Thom-TRA The California line was built first, so they hold the cable through the intersection. The cars coming up Powell let go of the cable at the top of the hill and then roll through the intersection and down the other side until just after the switch. At that point the correct cable can be grabbed and away they go. Coming the other way the cable is grabbed before the turn and then dropped just before crossing California. The cable is then grabbed on the other side of the California line before descending to Market St.
Since the Powell cars have to “drop” the cable for the California a street crossing, “picking up” the cable is facilitated at the far side by strategically placed dips in the track. The dips lower the grip jaws so the gripman need only tighten the the grip jaws to get re-connected to the cable. If the gripman’s timing is off (or the cable is “dropped” elsewhere on the line), the conductor has to hop off with a hook, reach through the “slot” (not slit), and lift the cable up until the gripman can feel it against the grip jaws. The gripman then pulls back the grip lever and grabs the cable.
Really clear!! Thanks! 😀
Appreciate it!
Great video. Thanks
Thank you!
I did the cable cars at night in 2022 and it was an absolutely magical experience! We were staying at the Fairmont and coming back from Fisherman's Wharf. We took the Powell/Mason Line up to the California St intersection and man I will say it was truly incredible. At night it was not crowded at all had the thing basically to myself and got to talk with the crew. Plus watching them operate on the Powell/Mason line with all the curves and switches was insane. Top notch experience I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did!
I’ve heard great things about taking it at night!
@@Thom-TRA It truly was top notch! My dad was absolutely blown away by the whole thing too. I'm going to show him this video since you do such a good job of explaining how it works too.
@@seanromeo7916 thank you!
Congratulations on reaching 30K subscribers.
Thank you very much!
Your youthful excitement adds to the informative video on cablecars. They are unique and serve as a magnet for tourism.
Appreciate it!
Great video,as I had never really thought about how they operate. I agree that it’s totally worth the price and I remember hanging on the outside. Glad you both enjoyed the experience.
Glad to bring up good memories!
Really nice video
As a kid in the 60's I recall passengers helping turn the cars at the end of the line.
Did you ever help yourself?
Another excellent video! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I lived on California Street for 18 years and have taken the cable car numerous times. Yes you can hear the cable. Some people never adjust and move away. When the CC Car started working daily they would come to my intersection, ring the bell twice/ 6:00 a.m. sharp so never had an alarm clock. In the early 2000’s the cable broke down frequently and they would have to suspend service. The shut it down for six months on CA line and ran busses. It was more convenient for me since it went directly to Whole Foods and back almost to my front door
I did used to hop on and go grocery shopping, take my son to school and up from Market Street after Giants games
What are the normal operating times of the cable car anyways? I forgot to look that up
@@Thom-TRA About 6:00 am to Midnight
I lived on Broadway & Hyde and later on Washington and Taylor and when the cable would shut down for the night, around 2am, I would often wake up from the sudden silence. Go figure.
With respect to the California Street line, I was so lazy I would ride from Taylor down to Cala Foods on the corner of Hyde, jump off, quickly buy what I needed and catch the same car as it headed back up the hill. There was usually a 10-15 minute layover at Van Ness where the gripman and conductor would have a smoke, which gave me enough time to grab what I needed, check out, and get on the same car going inbound. A slow cashier or a long line meant I'd miss it and need to make a long walk up California Street.
@@paulengel7789 Completely relate! I remember Cala Foods well! The worst market but open 24 hours. I lived at Bush and Mason. I would get a nice cigar at CA & Polk, go grocery shopping and get the cable car up to Huntington Park and smoke the cigar on the park bench in the shadow of Grace Cathedral. When I lived on CA Street would do the same. I once jumped on board a moving cc car and had a welt where I hit my shin. The conductor and gripman used to be rogue back in the day; before Gavin Newsome cracked down on them. Half the time I rode for free. About ten years ago one of them gave me a Cable Car hoodie. If I wear it I get treated like royalty. I used to know all those guys but they’re retired now
I enjoyed that video👍👍
You can use your clipper card for the cable car at a reduced rate, you just can't hop on at Powell
8 bucks might be expensive but they use wood blocks as brakes. got to change them out a lot.
Very true. I don’t mind paying the money.
Great Video!!❤
Thank you!
You're Welcome! Merry Christmas!!
The joy is palpable! Given that you were in a prime position to feel the force of the traction cable, could you sense when other cars on the same cable gripped or released? Or is there so much power in the system that the difference would be negligible? \m/
I don’t think you can feel it to be honest
The slots you see in DC are not cable car remnants but were used by pickup shoes for electric wires that ran under the streets in place of trolley wires for esthetic reasons; Manhattan had similar arrangements that didn't last as long. I rode DC Transit PCC's using these grooves in 1959. Jerry Pinkepank Seattle
Yes the lines were converted to underground electrification, but the ones in Georgetown were built for cable cars.
NYC had cable cars on Broadway for a number or years around the turn of the 20th C. Source: NYC subway history website (YT deletes external links, unfortunately)
Yessir!
Thanks for your videos on San Francisco. Its problems are a media obsession. It has the same issues as most U.S. cities but is less dangerous than many. Other cities deserve more attention. The main problem is car break-ins but the public transportation videos you made show that you don't need one. I've lived here in the Mission District for 43 years and have never been mugged or burglarized. There are many attractions and spectacular views. Just avoid some areas as you would in any city.
I absolutely loved SF. Cannot wait to go back.
For next visit, I recommend trying the Bay Area's newest train, the SMART train. It's a very scenic ride. You can get a boat to it from the ferry terminal at Embarcadero.@@Thom-TRA
On your next visit, try the Bay Area's newest rail line, the SMART train. It's a scenic trip. You can connect to it by ferry from the Embarcadero ferry terminal or by bus across the GG Bridge. @@Thom-TRA
What a Nice and cool experience. Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately at the time I went to San Francisco for the first time, those trolleys were closed because of the covid and restrictions. Next year when I do my USA Rail pass again and I will try it, because I will make a stop in San Francisco from Richmond. I think even if it's a tourist trap, if you haven't had this experience of the trolley, you haven't have the whole San Francisco trip. Jeje😊 experience
Very true! Sorry to hear about your experience, wishing you the best luck next time!
Thanks
Cable cars are _not_ trolleys. They do not have trolley poles. Streetcars, on the other hand, have trolley poles and can be called trolleys. Electric trolleybuses have two trolley poles.
@@RaymondHngthanks for the information.
Great video! Too bad the new Stadler electric trains wont be running for the CalTrain ride. Looking forward to that trip.
I did get to see them however!
One thing to point out, there is no cable on the turns, the trains are not powered there. They have to complete the turn in one move using the momentum from the hill or the previous cable. One time while riding, we got cut off by a car and the grip had to stop on the turn. The grip, after some swearing, said, "Sorry folks, we are stuck, we will have to wait for a tow." Almost immediately, a bunch of people jumped off the car and started pushing. I joined in once I figured out what was going on. I was standing anyway since the car was packed.
The Cable Car interactive experience!
I am pretty sure SFMTA does NOT condone this, but it probably saved many minutes/hours, waiting for a tow.
There are "pull curves" which are uphill turns - there is definitely a cable is use there.