To reach its northern terminus in the Presidio, the line passed through Fort Mason Tunnel; 1937.At the southern portion of the line, a track along King Street connected with the Southern Pacific
The San Francisco Belt Railroad was a short-line railroad along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, California. It began as the State Belt Railroad in 1889, and was renamed when the city bought the Port of San Francisco in 1969. As a state owned enterprise, the railroad asserted several unsuccessful claims to immunity from federal regulation.[1] The railroad ceased operation in 1993.[2]
The Belt tracks were utilized for the 1987 San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival, with electric streetcars being operated along the line via hauled diesel generators.[5] While this demonstration lasted only a month, it prompted interest in utilizing the disused right of way for local transit purposes. The San Francisco Municipal Railway would go on to surface their portion of the Market Street subway south of Market Street along The Embarcadero with service beginning in 1998. Simultaneously, the newly permanent F Markethistoric streetcar line was extended north along the former Belt Railroad right of way to Fisherman's Wharf in 2000.
The line was largely paved over to form the current Embarcadero, with rails set in the median for streetcar and light rail services.[6]San Francisco Municipal Railway's E Embarcadero line now traverses the route between the Caltrain (former Southern Pacific) station and Fisherman's Wharf, with other lines covering portions of the route. The former roundhouse has been converted to commercial business but exists in a recognizable form on the Sansome Street, Lombard Street, The Embarcadero, and Chestnut Street block.
The San Francisco Bay Railroad is the successor to the Belt Railroad and received approval to operate the remaining five miles (8.0 km) of track in 2000.[7]
Locomotives
SF Belt #25 loading TOFC flats on ship, September 1985 photo by Drew Jacksich
During its years of operation the railroad had 12 steam locomotives and 6 ALCO diesel engines:[8]
The American Freedom Train locomotive on the line in 1975
Over the years, the belt railroad's tracks hosted several noteworthy locomotives and trains.
In 1948, the first Freedom Train made an appearance on the State Belt Railroad.
In 1949, the California Zephyr was positioned near the Ferry Building for its inaugural ceremony.
In 1951, the Maritime Museum brought an early 4-4-0 steam locomotive and consist to the belt, as part of the museum’s grand opening.
The first civilian passenger excursion train operated over the road on July 21, 1956.[9]
In 1972, the Flying Scotsman concluded its American tour by shuttling back and forth on a stretch of track adjacent to the Embarcadero and near Fisherman's Wharf. Owner Alan Pegler ran out of funds and the locomotive spent most of 1972 stored at an army base in Stockton, California.
In November of 1975, the American Freedom Train pulled by ex-Southern PacificDaylight locomotive #4449 visited San Francisco. For public viewing, the train's cars were switched to the Presidio by the belt line. The locomotive itself remained on display at Aquatic Park near the foot of Hyde Street.
In March of 1977, the Canadian PacificRoyal Hudson #2860 visited the State Belt while heading down to Los Angeles.
In 1987, the tracks along the Embarcadero just south of Sansome Street hosted Railfair ’87. Diesel locomotives and steam locomotives including V&T's J.W. Bowker (2-4-0 locomotive) were on display.[citation needed]
Steam Locomotive Number Four
Currently[when?] Locomotive #4 is being restored by the San Francisco Trains group, with larger plans to change the old Bayshore Roundhouse, originally owned by Southern Pacific, to a historic community destination. Due to work on the Roundhouse, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
