The cable cars at 150

This Tuesday morning at 11:00 AM events to commemorate the 150 anniversary of the cable car system kick off at California and Drumm Streets. Mayor London Breed on board the oldest cable car in system, and even Andrew Hallidie himself will be on hand to join in the celebration. Yesterday, I took a ride on the California Street Line from Drumm Street to Van Ness and back to update some vintage photos along the way from the San Francisco Public Library Archives. I got a back seat window track center heading west and a front seat window track center heading east to get the best updates. (Thumbnail images)

Drumm Street at California, the beginning and the end of the journey:

Sansome Street:

Kearny Street:

Heading up Nob Hill, past Grant Avenue and Chinatown:

California Street flattens out a bit at the intersection with Powell Street.

Chugging on past the Fairmont Hotel:

Reaching the crest of Nob Hill at Mason Street, with the Fairmont Hotel on the left, the Stanford Court and Mark Hopkins Hotels on the right:

Approaching Jones Street, with the Pacific Union Club on the left, and the Huntington Hotel on the right:

Heading down the western side of Nob Hill now, at Hyde Street: See the cable car tracks on the left in the modern picture? Those run from California Street to Washington Street, and aren’t open to the public.