5 things you didn't know about cable cars

Sloan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:11 am

http://www.sfbg.com/pixel_vision/2011/0 ... cable-cars

Powell & Hyde, Powell & Mason, and California.......I didn't know there is a fourth line as the writer claims. Where is it?

Sloan

ebtmikado · **Joined:** Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:01 am **Posts:** 55

There are 4 cable runs to operate the 3 lines.

Lee Carlson

ebtmikado · **Joined:** Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:01 am **Posts:** 55

Here's a link to a map of the cable runs, showing the 4 cables.

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/archive/T ... hways.html

Lee Carlson

Sloan · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:40 am

Thanks, guys, for the clarification. Rice-a-roni!

Sloan

RichardWilliam · **Joined:** Wed Jan 05, 2011 5:57 pm **Posts:** 58

As Lee has explained, there are four cable runs. You can see the four sets of sheaves that power them in the photo at the top of the article and in the short video further down. You can also see their label signs on the overhead beam - Hyde, California, Mason, and Powell. For some reason the California cable isn't operating in the video.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:07 pm

They have, many years ago, run the Mason/Powell as one continuous cable, but the extra long cable was more expensive and less flexible than the current separate arrangement.

The powerhouse, 100 years ago, was built to support five cables: Powell, Mason, Washington/Jackson, Sacramento/Clay to Ferries, and Sacramento/Clay outbound. After the earthquake, the Sacramento/Clay route was shortened and switched to one cable.