Cable Cars351

This is the kind of historic landmark a kid can appreciate: One that moves, makes loud noises, and can be mildly terrifying on a steep descent. Once upon a time, many major American cities, including New York, Chicago, Denver, and Oakland, had passenger cable cars. San Francisco is the only one that still has a system in place. At one time almost a dozen different cable car lines operated in San Francisco with routes extending a total of 112 miles. Today, three city-owned lines cover just 19 miles, all in the northeast corner of the city. The system began operating in 1873 and very little has changed. Beneath the slots in the street where the cars run is a continuous moving steel cable that loops around a huge wheel in the cable car powerhouse. A car moves when the operator, or gripman, pulls a lever that connects to a steel grip, which in turn clamps onto the moving cable. This hold on the cable is what enables the car to move forward, at a maximum speed of 9 1/2 miles an hour. To take on and let off passengers, the operator releases the grip, pulls tight the brake lever, and halts the car. If you want to understand more about the cable car's history, make sure you visit the Cable Car Museum. The three cable car lines include: The Powell-Mason line (3.1 miles) starts at Market, travels up Powell, and stops at Jackson, Mason, Columbus, Taylor (at Bay) in Fisherman's Wharf. Returns from Taylor, stops at Columbus, Mason, Washington, and Market. The Powell-Hyde line (4.2 miles) also starts at Market, travels up Powell, and stops at Jackson, and Hyde (at Beach) in Fisherman's Wharf. The return trip starts at Hyde, stops at Washington, and finishes at Market. The California line (2.8 miles) starts at Market and takes California to Van Ness, and back. Monthly passes, BART Plus, and Passports are valid on cable cars. Weekly passes require a payment of $1. Tokens require an additional payment of $3.50 (no savings). Interagency passes do not count towards cable car fares. Cable car tickets and an All-Day Passport ($11) are sold by the conductors on the cable cars.