The Cable Car Museum was established in 1974. It is operated by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum as a nonprofit educational facility. Free Admission!
Joined August 2011
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Until about WW2, the same fate awaited old cable cars too!
Burning streetcars was a popular disposal method. It's also why our museum exists... 📖
80 years ago, young railfans learned their chartered trolley would be burnt immediately after their excursion. So, they passed a hat and bought it on the spot. Thus, our museum began.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
So too, condemned to the annals of history, was the electric (streetcar) ferry.
another steam (locomotive) boat, an Elk River Lumber Co shay putting emphasis on 'river'
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Cincinnati - Mount Adams Incline during one of its last journeys in 1948 transporting a coach and not a tram (Definitively closed in April 1948) 🇺🇸 🚞
#funicular #MountAdams #incline #Cincinnati #Ohio #USA #photography #JackKlumpe
ALT Photo Jack Klumpe (colorized)
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
One month after the end of interurban service, Napa Valley Route #61 solemnly awaits scrapping — Oct. 1937
Originally, this 1909-built interurban ran on the Visalia Electric RR. But, in 1920, it found its way to Napa, where it was well-received. It ran until abandonment in 1937.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Why aren't wooden trains built today? As Napa found out on in 1913: it was safety.
On June 19, two Napa Valley Route trains collided at top speed. The wooden trains splintered, killing 13 people. Accidents like this gave merit to laws favoring new steel trains, which were safer.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Today’s #MuseumMonday spotlight is about (arguably) the best trolley to ride during the summer: Rio de Janeiro 1758!
Open #trolley rides were once advertised as the perfect way to cool off in the summer. (1/)
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Trollies and Cable Cars can play an important part in courtship---and anniversaries! It's the inherent romanticism in them!
On October 9th, 1988, Lorne Hymers & his wife Kay celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at our museum! They rode on the London & Port Stanley Railway for their honeymoon in 1938 and wanted to ride L&PS car #8 for their 50th anniversary together.
1988 photo by Ron Cooper.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Hey @Waymo is there any way to restrict pickup and drop offs (and traveling in general) on Hyde st at beach?
They have been sitting here all day causing problems when cable cars are parked
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Big19--what a beauty!! Grande dame of the old days!
The @SFMTA_Muni #HydeRide was covered by #Big19 with a bonus trip to bay and Taylor when the Hyde line was blocked @sfmsr @SFCCM #sanfrancisco #cablecars
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Today in American History: 1876
The Transcontinental Express arrived in San Francisco just 83 hours and 39 minutes after departing New York City, showcasing the speed and impact of the First Transcontinental Railroad on connecting the nation.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Did you know that 100 years ago, you would have boarded a #streetcar to travel to your favorite picnic site or amusement park?
Not only that: the picnic grove or amusement park was likely owned and operated by the very #transit company providing you with transportation. (1/2)
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Employees in front of Southern Pacific locomotive, SP 2779, at Walnut Creek, California, circa 1950.
Lower left is conductor Kenneth Stuart. Upper left is brakeman Don Clark. Upper right is brakeman Ted Reece, and lower right is fireman Roy Newell.
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May 28
Did you know the cable car was invented here in SF? The inventor, Andrew Smith Hallidie, was a Scots-born mining engineer, who was inspired by a mining conveyor! Today the plaza at the cable car turnaround still carries his name.
📸: @SFMTA_Muni
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
It’s starting to feel like summer, so today’s #ThrowbackThursday is all about one of Pittsburgh’s favorite summer hangouts - and its connection to transit history.
Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) is a well known amusement park today, but it was originally a trolley park! (1/)
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Sunday was a soft launch of the return of @SFMTA_Muni “Hyde Ride”. A vintage car (big 19/42) or cal car 53/55 will be in service on Fri-sun through Oct making a loop from @TheWharfSF to Chinatown then BACK. #touristspecial @sfmsr @SFCCM @SFCityGuides #sanfrancisco #cablecars
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Just an East Bay historian sitting on some East Bay history.
Nothing quite like volunteering at @BAERA_WRM!
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
This calendar featuring Chinese themed artwork was illustrated and published in San Francisco in 1899. The shiny gold lettering and numbering creates a striking effect against the red background with black illustrations. Video Description- a hand flips through a calendar
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
Can you imagine riding a train to nowhere? If so, you'll picture the Petaluma & Santa Rosa RR's Two Rock branch.
Opened in 1913, this 5-mile line travelled through lush, empty country. Though freight was lucrative, trolleys often ran empty. Passenger service ended in 1925.
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San Francisco Cable Car Museum retweeted
New Exhibit Alert! Our CA History Section invites you to take the scenic route through “Touring California: Automobile Adventures in the Golden State” until Aug 2026 at our 900 N. Street location.
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