San Francisco Belt Railroad
The San Francisco Belt Railroad (it was the State Belt Railroad when the State of California owned and operated the railroad) was a short line railroad along almost the entire length of the Embarcadero in San Francisco, California. It connected to many waterfront docks and to industries and warehouses which were adjacent to the waterfront. It had 67 miles of trackage and its General Offices were in the Ferry Building. Its function was to switch railcars from four major railroads to points along its system and vice-versa. At the southern portion of the line, a track along King St. (passing the spot now occupied by SBC Ball Park) connected with the Southern Pacific. Present-day light-rail trains now traverse this route. A railcar ferry slip at Pier 43 allowed interchange with with the Northwestern Pacific,the Western Pacific,and the Atchison Topeka & Sante Fe railroads. To reach its northern terminus in the Presidio, the line passed through Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, and a tunnel under Fort Mason.