Cable cars are set up with steel tracks above a channel housing a continuously moving cable, with a slot for the car's grip to engage the cable.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Tracks: Cable cars run on steel tracks laid out along their routes. These tracks guide the car and provide a smooth surface for its wheels.
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Cable Channel: Below the tracks, there's a channel that houses the continuously moving cable. This cable is the "engine" of the cable car system, constantly circulating and providing the power needed for movement.
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Slot: The top of the cable channel has a slot running along its length. This slot is the key to connecting the cable car to the moving cable.
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Grip: The cable car has a grip mechanism that extends down through the slot and allows the operator to grab hold of the moving cable. When the grip is engaged, the cable car is pulled along with the cable. When the grip is released, the cable car can coast or be stopped using its brakes.
In essence, the cable car setup relies on a constantly moving cable beneath the street, accessible via a slot, enabling the car to move by gripping this cable.