Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - Palm Springs, California
N 33° 50.241 W 116° 36.847
11S E 535703 N 3744188
Construction of the Aerial Tramway was an engineering challenge and was soon labeled the "eighth wonder of the world".
Waymark Code: WM42P2
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 06/28/2008
Views: 75
From the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway website -
Construction of the Tramway was an engineering challenge and was soon labeled the "eighth wonder of the world". The superlative was earned because of the ingenious use of helicopters in erecting four of the five supporting towers. Some 20 years later, the Tramway was designated an historical civil engineering landmark.
The tramway was designated a 'Local Historic Civil Engineering Landmark' by the San Bernardino - Riverside Branch and Los Angeles Section in 1980.
TECHNICAL FACTS
Elevation of lower terminal (Valley Station): 2,643ft 806m ASL
Elevation of upper terminal (Mountain Station): 8,516ft 2597m ASL
Difference of elevation: 5,873ft 1,791m
Actual length traveled along cables: 12,780ft 3,895m
Average gradient: 26 degrees
Maximum gradient: 42 degrees
Number of intermediate towers: 5
The first tower is the tallest at approximately 227ft
Car dimensions: 8ft high inside 18ft in diameter
Weight (carriage, hanger and cabin) empty: 22,000lb 10,000kg
Weight (carriage, hanger and cabin) loaded: 13,600lb 6,200kg
Total weight: 35,600lb 16,200kg
Capacity of each car: Approx. 80 passengers plus 1 car operator
Maximum existing traveling speed: 1,970 linear feet per minute. 21 mph 10 m/sec
Maximum future traveling speed: 2,165 linear feet per minute. 24 mph 11 m/sec
Maximum possible traveling speed while passing towers: 1,575 linear feet per minute 18 mph 8 m/sec
System of electric drive: 3 Phase Regenerative D.C. SCR
Maximum output of DC hoist motor: 1,100 HP 1,350 KW
Continuous output: 675 HP 855 KW
Number and size of cables:
2 x 2 tension to track ropes of 3 inches / 75mm diameter
2 x 2 stationary track cables of 1-7/8 inches / 47.5mm diameter
1 lower hauling rope of 1-9/16 inches / 40mm diameter
1 upper counter rope of 1-3/4 inches / 45mm diameter
1 auxiliary rope of 15/16 inches / 24mm diameter
1 telephone rope of 5/8 inches / 16.2mm diameter, with a fiber optic core.
The cable span and number of slack rope carriers:
Valley Station to Tower 1 (1 slack carrier) 1,148ft 349m
Tower 1 to Tower 2 ( 5 slack carriers) 3,280ft 1,000m
Tower 2 to Tower 3 (4 slack carriers) 3,225ft 983m
Tower 3 to Tower 4 (4 slack carriers) 3,455ft 1,053m
Tower 4 to Tower 5 (1 slack carrier) 968ft 295m
Tower 5 to Mt. Station (no slack carrier) 695ft 212m
Individual Tower Heights:
Tower 1 227ft 69.1m
Tower 2 146ft 44.4m
Tower 3 83ft 25.3m
Tower 4 65ft 19.8m
Tower 5 68ft 20.6m
FACT: Each pair of track cables is tensioned by counterweights at the Valley Station, weighing in excess of 120 tons each.
FACT: The haul and counter ropes are tensioned by a counterweight at the Mountain Station weighing 67 tons.
FACT: Other rotating trams in the world:
Mt. Titlis, Engelberg, Switzerland
Operates winter and summer
Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa
Operates year round
Location:
One Tramway Rd. Palm Springs, CA. 92262
Type of structure/site: Aerial Tramway
Date of Construction: September 12, 1963
Engineer/Architect/Builder etc.: Engineer: Tudor Engineering Company; Architect: John Porter Clark, Stewart Williams, H. Roger Williams, Albert Frey, Robson Chambers; Builder: L. E. Dixon Company and Eric W. Emtman
Engineering Organization Listing: American Society of Civil Engineers
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Web Site: [Web Link]
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