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. 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.
Locomotives
During its years of operation the railroad had 12 steam locomotives and 6 ALCO diesel engines:
Number
Arrangement
Year, Builder
Number
Arrangement
Year, Builder
Number
Model
Year, Builder
Governor Markham
2-4-2T
1891, Baldwin
Number 7
0-6-0
1914, Alco-Brooks
Number 20
S2
Alco
Number 2
0-4-2T
1901, Baldwin
Number 8
0-6-0
1916
Number 21
S2
Alco
Number 3
0-4-2T
1904, Baldwin
Number 9
0-6-0
1920, Alco-Brooks
Number 22
S2
1944, Alco
Number 4
0-6-0
1906, Vulcan
Number 10
0-6-0
1923, Baldwin
Number 23
S2
1944, Alco
Number 5
Number 11
0-6-0
1927
Number 24
S2
1945, Alco
Number 6
0-6-0
1913, Baldwin
Number 12
Number 25
S2
Alco
Over the years, the belt railroad's tracks hosted several noteworthy locomotives and trains. In 1949, the California Zephyr was positioned near the Ferry Building for its inaugural ceremony. In 1971, the Flying Scotsman concluded its American tour by shuttling back and forth on a stretch of track adjacent to the Embarcadero and near Fisherman's Wharf. Owner Alan Peglar ran out of funds and the locomotive spent most of 1972 stored at an army base in Stockton, California. In 1975, the American Freedom Train pulled by ex-Southern Pacific Daylight locomotive #4449 visited San Francisco. For public viewing, the train's cars were switched to the Presidio by the belt line. The locomotive itself remained on display at Aquatic Park near the foot of Hyde Street. In 1987, the tracks along the Embarcadero just south of Sansome Street hosted a rail fair. Diesel locomotives and steam locomotives including V&T's J.W. Bowker were on display.
Currently Locomotive #4 is being restored by the San Francisco Trains group, with larger plans to change the old Bayshore Roundhouse, originally owned by Southern Pacific, to a historic community destination. Due to work on the Roundhouse, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
