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- "San Francisco's Cable Cars," circa 1950 - San Francisco installed its first cable railway in 1873. Cars were pulled by an underground cable powered from a central station. Other cities built similar railways, but most removed their complex cable-based systems once electric streetcars became practical. San Francisco kept three cable car lines, which worked well on the city's hilly streets. They remain a beloved community symbol.

- circa 1950
- Collections - Artifact
"San Francisco's Cable Cars," circa 1950
San Francisco installed its first cable railway in 1873. Cars were pulled by an underground cable powered from a central station. Other cities built similar railways, but most removed their complex cable-based systems once electric streetcars became practical. San Francisco kept three cable car lines, which worked well on the city's hilly streets. They remain a beloved community symbol.