The morning call., 1890-12-08
NEW CABLE ROAD.
Two CfOsS.TOwn Lines Nearing
Completion.

Work on the new engine house and the
cross-t town branch of the California street
Gable Railroad has made such progress
that the company expects to commence bust
ness on the new line early in February or,
If the present favorable conditions continue.
the latter part of January. The road-bed
from Jones and Market streets to Hyde
street and the bay, aud the short branch on
OFarrell street are complete, with the eX-
ception of one block on Hyde street, between
zine and California, where work is still
going on In connection with the eng inc house
With the exception of a small strip of land
on the extreme southwest corner, the build
ing will cover a full filty-vara lot. 1t will
be three-story structure, handsomely
designed with pressed brick front and
granite trimmings On the Hyde-street
side, however, in consequence of the differ
ence in street grades, it will present the ap-
pearance of a two-story and basement
structure. The walls are now about half
way up, and already give an idea of the
style of architecture which was adopted, as
we'll as the care which is being taken to
secure the building from damage by fire,
earthquake or other destructive agencies
The whole of the Hyde-street basement is
to be occupied by the driving machinery.
At present the main shaft and the immense
sheave or driving pulley are the only ma
chinery to be seen, but the pre- parations are
complete Tor the reception OF the engine,
4U-lpu Hy-NHtcl, lHe IUuT driving wheels,
boilers and other paraphernaiia belonging
to the department. The immense weight 10
be put in here demanded that the floor should
be OF extraordinary strength. it is of solid
concrete, twelve feet thick, capped at the
points OF greatest strain by blocks of granite
firmly boited into place by thick iron rods,
which run to the bottom of the concrete
foundation. The walls here are quite mas
slve, and in order to make the compartments
thoroughly tire-proof the ceiling is built of
iron glrders and brickwOrk, covered with
thick layer of concrete.
immediately behind the engne-room is
the depot OF the Californa-street cars, with
an entrance from that street. The cars for
the new line will be housed above the en-
glne-room, which will be reached by slight
incline from Hyde street. The rest of the
building will be occupied as offices and
shops Tor painting and repairs.
The most Interesting feature of the estab-
hshment, when completed, will be the
triple-eXpansion engine which is to supply
the power. 1t viii be the first of its kind
ever introduced into building on this
Coast, though they are not entirely I'M
known here, as most Of the ocean steamers
ars provided with them. By its means the
loss of steam power will be reduced TO
minimum by which a considerable saving
will be effected in the running ex-
peuses. 1t was at first feared that
the increased consumption of water
would more than counterbalance the
hour would be required for the condenser
a way out of this difficulty has been ar
rived AT by simple continuance whereby the
Scalding water will be pumped to the roof,
cooled in shallow pans ana used over and
over again as needed. In this way 95 per
cent of the water is saved, and an artesan
well on the premises will more than supply
the loss by evaporation and waste. Water,
however is considered of such value that
large concrete tank is provided in tie base
ment to catch that which has been used in
washing the cars, as well as the rainfall
from the cutters. Not drop of water that
can be saved will be allowed tn go to waste
The ears for the new road are almost
ready to be turned over to the company.
They will be of the double-ender variety,
the closed portion being in the center. They
will be considerably lighter than the pres
ent cars, but, owing to tie introduction of
several mechanical devices, equally as
strong. One marked difference between
them and ali other cabie-cars viii be the alb
sence of the small front seat, which the
management considers dangerous, because
it frequently obstructs the gripman's view,
and IN case of a collision is even source
of danger to the occupant.
When the road is in operation cars will
run alternately to the two new termini, and
single fare will pay for passage to any
part of the system