Cableway

Cable car at Zell am See in the Austrian Alps.
Larger version

An aerial tramway is a type of aerial lift, sometimes called a cable car, and frequently incorrectly referred to as a gondola.

An aerial tramway consists of two or more loops of cable, and two passenger cabins. One of the cables is always fixed, and provides support for the cabins. The second cable is, by means of a grip, connected to the cabins. This second cable is driven by a usually electric engine, and being connected to the cabins, moves them up or down the mountain.

The two passenger cabins, which carry from 4 to over 100 people, are situated at opposite ends of the loops of cable. Thus, while one is coming up, the other is going down the mountain.

Similarly, some aerial trams have only one cabin.

The original version was originally called telpherage, and was invented by engineer Fleeming Jenkin. Smaller telpherage systems are sometimes used to transport objects (such as tools or mail) within a building or factory.

Aerial tramways around the world

Australia

• Katoomba Scenic Skyway cable car, Australia

Europe

France

• The Vanoise Express, opened in December 2003 at a cost of 15 million euro, is a double decker tramway for 200 passengers in each car. It spans the Ponturin gorge at a height of 380 metres (1250 feet) above the ground, linking the resorts of La Plagne and Les Arcs in four minutes to form the Paradiski ski resort. Unusually its two cars run independently of each other on separate cables. [1]

Italy

• Rittnerbahn in South Tyrol, the longest aerial tramway in the world in one track (see Guinness Book of World Records).

USA

• At Squaw Valley ski resort, California, USA, the 'cable car' (aerial tramway) system takes skiers from the base to the mountain top.
• The tram at Snowbird, Utah, another ski-and-summer resort near Salt Lake City.
• The Roosevelt Island Tramway, Manhattan, New York, USA, although also a tourist attraction, is claimed to be the only aerial tramway in North America directed mainly at commuters. This claim will have to be shared once Portland, Oregon completes a tramway championed by OHSU.
• The skylift at Stone Mountain, near Atlanta.
• The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California, which transports passengers to the top of Mount San Jacinto.
• The Cannon Mountain Tram in Franconia, New Hampshire.

Canada

• Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, British Columbia has two aerial tramways running parallel.

See also:

• Transport
• List of aerial lift manufacturers
• Gondola lift
• Chairlift
• Detachable chairlift
• Funitel

• Skiing and Skiing Topics

External links

• The Telpherage system in the repair sheds of the New York City subway