Cable Car Museum

Our trip to the Cable Car Museum started at the turnaround for the Powell-Hyde cable car which is located next to the Aquatic Park near Ghiradelli Square at the end of Powell Street.   There was a long line waiting for the cable cars starting at the turnaround point.  Since we had to wait in line, we got to see the cable cars being turned around.

From the Aquatic Park next to the cable car turnaround, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance.  It was a gorgeous day! 

The line was just starting to get long at the turnaround.  It had gotten much longer by the time we boarded.

 

 

Cable Cars ready for the turnaround.

 

 

 

 

Turning the car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we started up the hill you can see Alcatraz in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a few more blocks you can start to see how steep this hill is.  We were not even close to the top of the hill at this point.  Unfortunately, the cable car became crowded and we didn't get another picture before we had to get off.

 

Cable Cars have no engine or motor on the cars themselves.  The power source is centralized in the cable car barn and powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets  (also home to the Cable Car Museum).  

Below are the cables that are responsible for pulling the cars up the hills.

The name of the cable car is listed above the cable for that particular car.

  

The "Grip" is what the drivers use to slow down the cable cars.   The diagram below shows how this process works. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a picture of the grip in the museum.  

 

 

Below is a side view of the grip showing where it squeezes against the cable to slow it down.

Before the week was over we got to ride on all three of the cable car lines.    It was great fun!