| San Francisco cable cars are a living history | | | | Street. Tourists are greeted with a bell ring |
| and a convenient mode of transport at a time. | | | | and early in the morning, when city visitors |
| These old cars travel around the city | | | | are still sleeping, streetcars are filled |
| streets, and help create an exceptional | | | | with common workers. Sometimes drivers even |
| charming atmosphere. That is why city | | | | know some passengers by their names, remember |
| administration does a lot to renovate old | | | | where to stop and what to talk with them |
| tramlines and build new ones. | | | | about. |
| | | | |
| Nowadays trams are the true emblems of San | | | | At daytime the “antiquity driver” |
| Francisco, just like the world-known Golden | | | | is eager to do the job of a professional |
| Gate Bridge. They are portrayed on souvenirs, | | | | guide – he is the best person to tell |
| advertisement and travel prospects. There | | | | you how to get to some city stop and where to |
| were some attempts to abolish trams – | | | | get off. Chatting with drivers is pleasant, |
| but those were unsuccessful. Now they are one | | | | if they are disposed for it. Most of them are |
| of the most popular travel city attractions. | | | | friendly, well-humoured and ready to make |
| | | | comments about the trip. |
| The city pays much attention to tram rails | | | | |
| and at the same time collects old cars from | | | | Very often tourists get really amazed when |
| across the world. Thanks to local authorities | | | | they see streetcars of their childhood. No, |
| and enthusiasts there are two wonderful | | | | this is not an illusion – trams from |
| railway museums found in San Francisco. Their | | | | different parts of the world do really ride |
| exhibits can be seen on the city streets. One | | | | along the streets of San Francisco. Those are |
| of the museums specializes on famous cable | | | | distinguished veterans. Most of them were |
| cars - small cars crawling along San | | | | built in 1946 – 1948, however some |
| Francisco hills. These are often shot in | | | | appeared earlier. The oldest one was |
| movies. A trip on a cable car is a real | | | | “born” in 1895. Moreover, there |
| pleasure, especially if you manage to take a | | | | are about 10 streetcars from Milam riding |
| seat with a good view over the city. But | | | | around the city. Those were built in 1928. |
| don’t just look around, skillful | | | | Sometimes you can also see cars from England, |
| drivers also deserve your attention. But, | | | | Portugal, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Germany |
| even though cable cars are rather convenient | | | | and Soviet Union. But these are usually |
| and cheap, local people don’t use them | | | | well-kept, they don’t work every day. |
| that often. The reason is simple: they are | | | | |
| too popular with tourists. Nowadays, when | | | | How it all started? In the beginning of the |
| travel business in USA is on the rise, large | | | | 1980s’ they wanted to deconstruct the |
| queues are waiting for their cable car to | | | | line. When the first metro station was |
| arrive. | | | | opened, they decided to mark the occasion |
| | | | with a tram festival. The festival got very |
| Catching a simple streetcar is much easier. | | | | popular and later on old trams started their |
| The only problem is that all of them are | | | | regular work. Many tourists think that this |
| rather old. Streetcars go along line F, which | | | | is one of the best and cheapest ways to move |
| stretches along the famous Embarcadero | | | | around the city centre. In past you could |
| Freeway in the city centre. | | | | easily find a seat in a tram or a cable car. |
| | | | However, nowadays they are always full of |
| Tram route lies along the central Market | | | | people. |