page_title: San Francisco Belt Railroad
hierarchical_section_title: San Francisco Belt Railroad
caption_attribution_description: State Belt ALCO S2 switching pier 32-34 as TOFC flats are loaded onto ship bound for China
context_page_description: 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. The railroad ceased operation in 1993.
  The railroad connected the Port of San Francisco to many waterfront docks and to industries and warehouses which were adjacent to the waterfront. In its early years, it operated dual-gauged track to accommodate the North and South Pacific Coast Railroads. It would eventually have 67 miles of trackage and general offices in the Ferry Building. Its function was to switch railroad cars from four major railroads to points along its system and vice versa. At the southern portion of the line, a track along King Street connected with the Southern Pacific. San Francisco Municipal Railway's "E" Embarcadero line now traverses this route. A train ferry slip at Pier 43 allowed interchange with the Northwestern Pacific, the Western Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads.
context_section_description: 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.   The railroad ceased operation in 1993.
  The railroad connected the Port of San Francisco to many waterfront docks and to industries and warehouses which were adjacent to the waterfront.  In its early years, it operated dual-gauged track to accommodate the North and South Pacific Coast Railroads. It would eventually have 67 miles (108 km) of trackage and general offices in the Ferry Building. Its function was to switch railroad cars from four major railroads to points along its system and vice versa. At the southern portion of the line, a track along King Street (passing the location now occupied by Oracle Park) connected with the Southern Pacific. San Francisco Municipal Railway's "E" Embarcadero line now traverses this route.  A train ferry slip at Pier 43 allowed interchange with the Northwestern Pacific, the Western Pacific, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads.  To reach its northern terminus in the Presidio, the line passed through Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, and Fort Mason Tunnel. 
  The San Francisco Bay Railroad is the successor to the Belt Railroad and received approval to operate the remaining five miles of track in 2000.
  The former roundhouse has been converted to commercial business but exists in a recognizable form on the Sansome St, Lombard St, The Embarcadero, and Chestnut St block.
caption: SF Belt #25 loading TOFC flats on ship, September 1985 photo by Drew Jacksich
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