The Cal cable used a side grip mechanism which resulted in the slot being off center. The cost of rebuilding the slot was one reason given for curtailing the California line at Van Ness when the California St. Cable RR Co. carhouse at Hyde and California was abandoned and the two systems consolidated ca. 1956. But I believe the overriding reason was DPW's desire that its precious Franklin-Gough one-way couplet not be discommoded by any cable cars stopping in the middle of intersections.

It would have required 2 cables at Washington & Mason carhouse for the entire Cal cable line to Presidio Ave. but IIRC there is room for six cables on the sheaves. I am guessing the Sacramento St. line had required 2. And then one for Powell, one for Mason, one for Washington & Jackson Sts.

So much was lost at that time. DPW wanted tracks off Pine and off O'Farrell.