Views from the Grip

I have what is possibly the coolest job in San Francisco - I'm a Cable Car Gripman!!

06/23/2026

https://www.sf.gov/one-city-day-saturday-july-11-2026 Mayor Lurie came to the Barn to help decorate a cable Car for One City Day

06/19/2026

"carpentry shop at work" should actually read "artists at work!"
Cable Car 18 left the Woods Division shop yesterday to be transported to the Cable Car barn for the final prep work as it is prepared to return to service. Huge Kudos to the staff over there for their amazing artistry! can't wait to see it out on the road!

06/19/2026

On captures of the on the with the of in the background.

06/19/2026

with advanced apologies for the video quality because yes...i put the phone against the glass again...(and it was an EXTREMELY windy day)
there are always questions about a Cal car showing up at Hyde and Beach and why can't it go to Powell and Market?
A Cal car is nearly 3 feet longer than a Powell car. It can not fit onto any of the turntables. There are crossover switches at Hyde and Beach and Bay and Taylor which allow for the Cal car to be crossed over and since it's double-ended, it does not have to be spun around...the crew just "changes ends."
Unfortunately there is no crossover on Powell St. A railfan can dream though....:)

06/19/2026

sharing the photos individually that i used in my reel...
Today was an absolute treat. Train chartered a cablecar and gave about a dozen fans a special experience as they got to ride to Hyde and Beach with them and listen to them play.
At Hyde and Beach, a throng of fans was treated to a mini-concert as the car was on the turntable for the performance. I thoroughly enjoyed chasing this trip and capturing it with , providing it's usual iconic backdrop.

I'll have to admit i didn't know many songs before today...i'm a fan now...

06/19/2026

The band 'Train' (Save Me San Francisco) is releasing a new album in August. They came by today to charter a cable vcar and put on a mini-concert at Hyde & Beach.

I "joined" the band at 0.01.30

06/06/2026

a view from above...on today's edition of , Car 42 is seen heading down Hyde St with the Wharf as a backdrop. This concludes week one.
join us again next Fri-Sun as will be a summer-long adventure providing quick access to Lombard St, Chinatown, or a simple round trip back to the Wharf.