Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Tramway, located adjacent to Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, is the world's longest passenger aerial tramway. It also has the world's third longest single span. [http://abq-www-01.lobo.net/sandiapeak.com/uploads/File/Tram-Fact-Sheet.pdf Sandia Peak Tramway factsheet] (PDF)] It stretches from the Northeast edge of the city to the crestline of the Sandia Mountains.The upper station of the tramway is at a point on the main crest of the Sandia Mountains at elevation Convert|10378|ft|m|0, about Convert|1.5|mi|km|1|abbr=on|abbr=on south of Sandia Crest, the high point of the range. The operators of the Tramway term this point "Sandia Peak", but this is a misnomer, as this is not an official name, and it is not a "peak" in the sense of having any topographic prominence.]

History

Bell Engineering of Lucerne, Switzerland, constructed the tramway in what they considered their most difficult tramway construction project, primarily because of the steep and rocky terrain. Entering service on May 7, 1966, the tram makes 10,500 trips per year. The tram is a type known as a "double reversible jigback aerial tramway," where "jigback" means that as one tram car is ascending, the other is descending. Its two cars are capable of carrying 55 passengers each and have numerous safety and backup systems, such as multiple emergency braking systems and a grounding system that ensures the safety of passengers in the event of a lightning strike. New tram cars were installed in 1986, and new track cables in 1997.

Description

With a total diagonal distance of Convert|14657|ft|m|0 the Sandia Peak Tram is the longest aerial tram in the world. The tramway ascends the steep western side of the highest portion of the Sandia Mountains, passing close to dramatic cliffs and pinnacles, from a base elevation of Convert|6559|ft|m|0 to a top elevation of Convert|10378|ft|m|0. A trip up the mountain takes fifteen minutes to ascend Convert|3819|ft|m|0|abbr=on|abbr=on|abbr=on|abbr=on, and the normal operating speed of the tram is 12 miles per hour (19 kilometers per hour). Approximately four "flights" leave every hour from the base and top departure stations. The view from the tram includes all of Albuquerque and roughly 11,000 square miles (28,000 square kilometers) of the New Mexico countryside.

The tramway has just two support towers. The first tower, which is Convert|232|ft|m|1 tall, is situated at an elevation of Convert|7010|ft|m|0 above sea level and built as an inclined tower with an inclination angle of 18 degrees. The second, just Convert|80|ft|m|1 tall, is situated at the end of a major spur of the mountains at an elevation of Convert|8750|ft|m|0|abbr=on|abbr=on|abbr=on|abbr=on and was built by helicopter aid.

The longest span is between the second tower and the top terminal. This span is the third longest clear tramway span in the world, at a length of Convert|7720|ft|m|0. Mid-span, the cables are Convert|900|ft|m|0|abbr=on|abbr=on above the mountainside. This span passes over Domingo Baca Canyon, part of which is referred to as TWA Canyon. This is the site of the crash of TWA Flight 260 on February 19, 1955, in which the lives of all 16 passengers and crew were lost. While much of the wreckage was removed during construction of the tramway, some still remains on the canyon floor and may be visible to riders of the tram.

Activities on top

At the top of Sandia Peak there are many year-round recreational options. The High Finance Restaurant is directly adjacent to the top tram terminal and offers scenic views. Many Forest Service trails offer recreational hiking, backpacking and nature hikes to visitors. Additionally, the tram terminal is located at the top of Sandia Peak Ski Area which is on the opposite side of the mountain from the tramway and the city. Skiing is available in the wintertime, and during the summer over 26 miles (42 kilometres) of mountain biking trails are available.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=tramway Sandia Peak Tramway official site]
* [http://www.sandiapeak.com Sandia Peak Ski Area]
* [http://www.highfinancerestaurant.com High Finance Restaurant]
* [http://www.sandiagos.com Sandiago's Mexican Grill At The Tram]
* [http://www.hkhinc.com/newmexico/flt206/ TWA Canyon]
* [http://vimeo.com/793648 An impressive short movie] about this tramway, mountain and Albuquerque