Sandia Peak Tramway

thumb|400px|Sandia tram as it ascends (or decends?)
"World’s longest passenger tramway"
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA within Cibola National Forest.
* Total Horizontal Length: 2.7 miles
* Total Vertical Rise: 3,819 feet
* Elevation of Lower Terminal: 6,559 feet
* Elevation of Tower One: 7,010 feet
* Elevation of Tower Two: 8,750 feet
* Elevation of Top Terminal: 10,378 feet
* Height of Tower One: 232 feet - leans at an 18 deg angle
* Height of Tower Two: 80 feet
* Hourly Capacity: 220 passengers at 4 trips per hour
* Average Number of Passengers Per Year: 275,000
* Normal Speed: 12 mph or 20 feet per second
* Maximum Clear Span Between 7,720 feet or 1 1/2 miles
* Tower Two and Top Terminal: This is the 3rd longest clear span in the world.
* Number of Tramcars: Two
* Capacity of each: 55/50 with watertank
* Weight of each tramcar empty: 8,000 pounds
* Maximum Payload of each tramcar: 10,000 pounds
* Water Tank Capacity: 1,000 gallons
* New Tramcars Installed: May 17, 1986 for 20th Anniversary
* New Track Cables Installed: April, 1997
* Track Ropes: 4 each with a diameter of 40mm or 1 5/8 inches
* Weight of Each: 52 tons
* 4 Track Cable Counterweights: 47 tons each (located at lower terminal)
* Depth of counterweight pit: 70 feet
* Haul Ropes: 1 haul rope and counter rope
* Diameter of Haul Ropes: 32mm or 1 1/4 inches each weighing 17 tons
* Main Power Unit: 600 HP DC Electric Winch Motor
* Auxiliary Drive: 250 HP Ford Gasoline Engine
== History ==
The tramway was manufactured by Bell Engineering, Lucerne, Switzerland in 1964-66 at a cost of 2 million dollars. It is a Double Reversible Jigback Aerial Tramway. Five thousand helicopter trips were made during construction of Tower 2 and cable installation.
Animals spotted on the Mountain:
* MULEDEER
* BLACK BEAR
* RACCOONS
* BOBCATS
* SQUIRRELS
* Birds:
**GOLDEN EAGLES
**HAWKS
**STELLAR’S JAYS
**RAVENS
**CANYON WRENS
Dominanat Rock Formations: Granite with a limestone layer along the crest
If you're in the area, more info is available at the Forest Service Four Seasons Visitor Center located at the upper terminal of the tramway.
== See Also ==
* Official website