HOW NEW TECHNOLOGY RESCUED THE CABLE CARS

Restoration of the San Francisco Municipal Railway cable-car system, completed in June 1984 follwoing a 2-year shutdown for reconstruction, was a joint public/private effort at historic preservation. Almost $10 million was raised by private sources to assist the City in making the first complete overhaul in a century. The archaic technology was faithfully restored, bolstered by current materials and designs wherever possible without affecting the appearance or operation of the venerable hill-climbing public transit system. Design changes and new lubricants are expected to increase the 100-day life of the 11 miles of cable which propel the 44 classic cable cars at a constant 9.5 mph. The new drive system, installed in the historic Car Barn, presented complications but the exterior of the building was unchanged. While machinery in the Car Barn and beneath the streets, along with the track structure in the streets, is completely new, the old cars were completely restored using traditional materials and techniques.

• Authors:
  • Casey, S
• Publication Date: 1984-6

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 54-57
• Serial:
  • HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  • Volume: 36
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cable cars; Driver rehabilitation; Historic preservation; Passenger comfort; Private enterprise; Reliability
• Identifier Terms: San Francisco Municipal Railway
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation
• Subject Areas: History; Maintenance and Preservation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387933
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM