Chicago, 1890s. Library of Congress
January 28th, 1882 is one of (if not the) most important dates in Cable Transit history. On that blustery winter day, C.B. Holmes opened the first cable car in Chicago.
It was the first time cable was shown to be economical in such a snowy, icy, windy environment. It was also the first known instance of cable cars installed in an absolutely flat city.
The Chicago City Railway cable cars operated at 23 km/hr and within 5 years were carrying 27 million passengers per year. Remember: This was 1887! They were also among the most profitable and extensive in all of North America.
6 Comments
Hi Steven,
The following link was posted on a Yahoo Group that I belong to.
You’ll love it so much that you’ll embed it in your blog!!!
It’s mesmerizing.
Quote:
San Francisco Street car ride 1906
http://www.flixxy.com/san-francisco-1905-historical-footage.htm
Got seven minutes?
This fascinating bit of film was shot from the San Francisco Market Street car a few days before the ’06 earthquake.
Amazing to see the casual way the early cars just wove in an out of traffic and the pedestrians seemingly taking their lives in their hands as they walked in front of anything on wheels.
Truly wonderful stuff, Ron. I’ve made sure to include it as the opening image in tomorrow’s post.
Steven, 2nd email on same topic. These cable system ideas that I have reviewed on your site are exciting and structurally safe for use in moving people. I believe there is a huge opportunity. However, if I am in a wheelchair, or need use of a cane, or require a walker for mobility, how do I get on a gondola safely? It is not to say that cable systems cannot address these concerns. I just haven’t seen these situations dealt with on any of the videos or system concepts provided. People with disabilities count in our society as well as all able bodied persons that I have seen in all the videos from your site. Every passenger I have seen getting on and off are able bodied. Not a single wheelchair, cane, or walker. Here’s the challenge. How do cable systems safely address the needs of persons with disabilities?
Doug,
For those with mobility problems, there is no issue. While I’ve not included images/videos addressing those matters, you can be rest-assured that virtually any new cable system is compliant. In fact, given current legislation, no cable system would be allowed to be installed were it not fully, 100% accessible.