Sandia Peak Tramway facts for kids
The Sandia Peak Tramway is a special kind of cable car system. It is found right next to Albuquerque, New Mexico. This tram stretches from the city's edge all the way to the top of the Sandia Mountains. It has the third longest single span in the world. It is also the longest aerial tram in all of the Americas.
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History of the Tramway
The idea for the tramway came from Robert Nordhaus. He helped start the Sandia Peak Ski Company. After seeing similar trams in Europe, he wanted to build one to reach the ski slopes. A company from Lucerne, Switzerland, called Bell Engineering, built the tramway.
When it Started and How it Works
The tramway opened on May 7, 1966. It makes about 10,500 trips every year. This tram is a "double reversible jigback aerial tramway." This means that when one tram car goes up, the other car comes down at the same time. Each tram car can carry up to 50 people. They have many safety features. These include several emergency brakes. There is also a special system to keep passengers safe if lightning strikes.
Upgrades Over the Years
New tram cars were put in place in 1986. The strong cables that the cars run on were replaced in 2009. Even newer tram cars were installed again in May 2016.
What You See and How it Works
The tramway climbs the very steep western side of the Sandia Mountains. It starts at an elevation of 6,559 feet (1,999 meters). It goes up to a top elevation of 10,378 feet (3,163 meters).
The Ride Up
A trip up the mountain takes about 15 minutes. During this time, the tram climbs 3,819 feet (1,164 meters). The tram usually travels at a speed of 12 miles per hour (19 km/h). About four tram cars leave every hour from both the bottom and top stations.
Amazing Views
From the tram, you can see all of Albuquerque. You can also see about 11,000 square miles (28,000 square kilometers) of the New Mexico countryside.
The Tram's Towers
The tramway only has two support towers.
- The first tower is 232 feet (71 meters) tall. It stands at an elevation of 7,010 feet (2,137 meters) above sea level. This tower is built at an angle of 18 degrees.
- The second tower is shorter, only 80 feet (24 meters) tall. It is located at the end of a mountain spur. This tower is at an elevation of 8,750 feet (2,667 meters). Helicopters helped build this tower.
The Longest Span
The longest distance between supports is between the second tower and the top station. This part is called the "longest clear tramway span." It is the third longest in the world. This span is 7,720 feet (2,353 meters) long. In the middle of this span, the cables are 900 feet (274 meters) above the mountainside.
Domingo Baca Canyon
This long span goes over Domingo Baca Canyon. Part of this canyon is known as TWA Canyon. An airplane, TWA Flight 260, crashed here on February 19, 1955. While much of the plane's parts were removed when the tramway was built, some pieces can still be seen on the canyon floor by tram riders.
Fun Things to Do at the Top
At the top of Sandia Peak, there are many fun things to do all year round.
Dining and Nature
- There is a restaurant called 10|3 right next to the top tram station. It offers amazing views to the west.
- Many Forest Service trails are available. Visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and nature walks.
Winter and Summer Sports
- The tram station is also at the top of the Sandia Peak Ski Area. This ski area is on the other side of the mountain from the tramway and the city. You can go skiing there in the winter.
- In the summer, there are more than 26 miles (42 km) of mountain biking trails. However, you cannot take bikes onto the tram cars.
Getting There
There is no public transportation in this area of Albuquerque. You can only reach the tram by car, bicycle, or by walking.
