BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

What could be more iconic (or beloved) than San Francisco's clanging, clattering cable cars?

Strange as it may seem today, over the decades, there were a number of attempts to replace the cable cars with buses, but, each time, public outcry was so loud and vocal, that the little cars were once again reprieved.

As it is, over the decades and through the 1960s, there were a number of "cables" that were abandoned.

Here, I want to pay tribute to these timeless, charming little cars, and also, bring to light not only their rich history, but also, the sheer complexity of the infrastructure which has been used to keep the cars running for many generations.

I've always been an avid "cable" enthusiast/historian; I also have nearly 100 vintage toy and model cable cars in my collection today!

Now, let us "ride the cables" through history together............

"NYO"

["TAKE ROPE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Let's begin our trip through time here (great photos and excellent reading here!)............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_cable_car_system

["FULL STOP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here you will find the most extensive, exhaustive, and informative site on the 'net dedicated to the cable cars, their history, their operations, and their rich and colorful legacy, which still lives on today..........

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/ccmap.html#top

["TAKE ROPE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another outstanding page, overloaded with historical articles, photos, etc........

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/ccsf.html#ccmisc

["CARS STOP HERE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are several pages of cable car collectibles, old and new (I have an extensive collection of vintage toy cable cars, and always enjoy adding "new" pieces!)

https://www.etsy.com/market/the_cable_car_guy

["STOP FULL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are quite a few photos of toy cable cars throughout the years* (note the variety and the many types that were once available!)

Many of these reside in my collection today!

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/cckitsch.html#toys

["CABLE CAR CROSSING"]

*Towards the bottom of the page, note the tin 1962 cable car lunch box; this was my first school lunch box, and it is today a proud part of my collection!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

How the cable cars function (fascinating!)............

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/cchow.html#top

["517"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The long-gone Fillmore counterbalance was used to haul electric streetcars up and down this steep hill, using a unique (and interesting!) counterbalance system......

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/ccsf.html#fhc

["MUNI"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"THE GRIP".............

www.cablecarmuseum.org/the-grip.html

["CABLE CAR APPROACHING"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another interesting and informative page, with an extensive photo gallery..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/MUNI_Cable_Cars

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["I STOP AT THE ST. FRANCIS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The San Francisco cable car......indeed, a beloved national treasure!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57473

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112660 *

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69260

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59251

*(Note the historic signal tower on the right; it controls the signals for the crossings where the Powell and California lines cross)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BAY & TAYLOR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are more great photos; note, also, the pictures of the FORD buses used as replacements for the cars when Broadway Tunnel construction began in 1950!

This project was a major undertaking, and, not surprisingly, also greatly affected cable operation in the area...........

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/ccsfcsca.html#top

["LOOKOUTFERDACURVE!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More interesting and historical photos; note, also, the photos of the last day of the old Jones Street shuttle in 1954 (note the huge crowds of cable car supporters!)

www.cable-car-guy.com/html/ccsfcsc.html#top

["FOUR BELLS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

GREAT photos and a VERY good (and descriptive!) article........

https://www.streetcar.org/wheels-motion/ride-cable-car-lines/

["UNITED RAILROADS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another interesting and informative page..........

www.cablecarmuseum.org

["503"]