page_title: Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway
section_title: Gravity cars
hierarchical_section_title: Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway / Operation / Gravity cars
caption_attribution_description: English: Gravity car no. 21 on the Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway c. 1915. Physical rights of this image are retained by the Mill Valley Public Library, Lucretia Little History Room, or are protected by copyright. Use of this image requires permission from the Mill Valley Public Library, Lucretia Little History Room.
context_page_description: The Mount Tamalpais & Muir Woods Railway was a scenic tourist railway operating between Mill Valley and the east peak of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California, covering a distance of 8.19 miles, with a 2.88-mile spur line to the Muir Woods. The railroad was incorporated in January 1896, and closed in the summer of 1930. Originally planned as a 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in standard gauge electric trolley line, the railroad was powered by a succession of geared steam locomotives. Billed as the "Crookedest Railroad in the World," the line was renowned for its steep and serpentine route, winding through picturesque terrain to a mountaintop tavern providing first-class hospitality and panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite its popularity, the railway met its demise following a fire in 1929, and dwindling ridership when the automobile could finally drive to Tamalpais' summit.
context_section_description: The railroad became famous for its gravity cars – four-wheeled coasters introduced in 1902 that took advantage of the steep, uninterrupted grade. Gravity cars had an operator known as a gravityman who sat in the front-right seat (on most cars) and operated two brake levers that pressed heavy-duty brake shoes against the car's wheels. Gravitymen had strict orders to obey a 12 mile-per-hour speed limit as they glided down Mt. Tamalpais, either to Muir Woods or into Mill Valley. "Gravities" ran at scheduled times, like all trains on the line, essential to safe operation on a single track railroad. Gravity cars were towed back to the summit by the steam engines, where they were stored in the yard for the next run.
caption: Gravity car no. 21 on the Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Scenic Rwy c. 1915
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