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.
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 Pacific Coast Railroad and South Pacific Coast Railroad. 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. 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, tracks passed through Fisherman's Wharf and Aquatic Park. The line was extended through a tunnel to serve Fort Mason during World War I, and was further lengthened to the Presidio Army Base in 1917. In 1993 the railroad ceased operations.
San Francisco Belt Railroad S-2 23 was built by Alco in March 1944 (builder's number 70157).
(San Francisco, California – August 14, 1973)
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.
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 Pacific Coast Railroad and South Pacific Coast Railroad. 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. 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, tracks passed through Fisherman's Wharf and Aquatic Park. The line was extended through a tunnel to serve Fort Mason during World War I, and was further lengthened to the Presidio Army Base in 1917. In 1993 the railroad ceased operations.
San Francisco Belt Railroad S-2 23 was built by Alco in March 1944 (builder's number 70157).
