The Cable Cars of San Francisco
During a business trip to Silicon Valley I managed to spend a Sunday afternoon
at the hilly streets (20) in San Francisco in May 1999. That afternoon
was dedicated to the unique street cars, the famous Cable Cars of San Francisco
(02). Light-weighted, without an engine, these cars are controlled
by a permantly moving steel rope (or cable) under the surface of the street
(04). Though downhill they can roll by gravity, for the uphill ride
the gripman's (03, 08) experience is needed. By adjusting the pressure
of a pair of pliers, holding the rope, and the various brakes (06),
he manages to control the speed of his car. - One site definitely worth
a visit is the Cable Car Barn (14), housing the Cable Car Museum
(12) as well. Here the central heart, the huge engines moving the
underground cable, can be seen (13). - In case of any technical
problems at the cars themselves, they must be hauled to the cable car barn
by trucks for maintenance (17, 18, 19). - Another excellent site
worth at least a virtual visit, is The
San Francisco Cable Car Website.
(All photos were taken by the webmaster at May 16, 1999.)
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