 The Balloon Car A unique variation of the standard horse car of the period, it is thought that there were approx. six built circa 1877. Designed by Henry Casebolt when president of the SUTTER STREET R.R. it featured a totally round car body that by releasing a latching device could be rotated 180 degrees at the end of the line without the driver ever leaving his seat. Initially this fanciful invention worked fairly well but in time the rotating shaft assembly began to wear, causing the car body to sway back and forth, causing frequent derailments. This combined with its low passenger capacity spelled the Balloon Car’s doom. $7.99 |
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Cable Car Museum - 1201 Mason Street - San Francisco © 2004 Friends of the Cable Car Museum