On that map, in West Seattle, was that a streetcar line running down California Ave SW, all the way to Alki? Just wondering, because I find it hard to believe the streetcars then could make it up or down that grade. If the modern ones can do it, wonder if the modern ones could. I was thinking a bigger shuttle bus than what they are using on the 773 and 775 for the West Seattle Water Taxi shuttle.
There’s some history here “The line retraced part of the route used by the old cable railway: from the ferry dock (near today’s Seacrest Marina) up Cascade Avenue, then south along California Avenue to what were then the city limits (at today’s Admiral Way).”
And before that it was a cable car that served the ferry. (spend some time on this website – there’s some really interesting history. I had no idea there was a cable car up Queen Anne before the Counterbalance)
Also remember that early streetcars “could” do grades that modern ones like we use in Seattle cannot, though the safety standards were lax back then, leading to headlines like this in 1907: “CAR GOING DOWN STEEP CINCINNATI GRADE, GOES OVER AN EMBANKMENT.”
On that map, in West Seattle, was that a streetcar line running down California Ave SW, all the way to Alki? Just wondering, because I find it hard to believe the streetcars then could make it up or down that grade. If the modern ones can do it, wonder if the modern ones could. I was thinking a bigger shuttle bus than what they are using on the 773 and 775 for the West Seattle Water Taxi shuttle.
Doesn’t mention the route, but it sure existed.
There’s some history here “The line retraced part of the route used by the old cable railway: from the ferry dock (near today’s Seacrest Marina) up Cascade Avenue, then south along California Avenue to what were then the city limits (at today’s Admiral Way).”
And before that it was a cable car that served the ferry. (spend some time on this website – there’s some really interesting history. I had no idea there was a cable car up Queen Anne before the Counterbalance)
Also remember that early streetcars “could” do grades that modern ones like we use in Seattle cannot, though the safety standards were lax back then, leading to headlines like this in 1907: “CAR GOING DOWN STEEP CINCINNATI GRADE, GOES OVER AN EMBANKMENT.”
http://www3.gendisasters.com/ohio/6863/cincinnati-oh-street-car-accident-oct-1907
Here‘s a follow up to Josh’s story. Apparently it was more dangerous to ride a trolley if you were a woman.
“The injured are mostly women, as the men were able to slide under the outside rail, the car being an open one. “
…and the other shoe – the relationship between streetcar routes and urban villages: http://hugeasscity.com/index.php?s=streetcar