Ropeways & Wire Rope

Basic components of a ropeway system:

Carrier -- Distinguishing component of every ropeway. For materials ropeways, the carriers are generally buckets. For passenger ropeways, the carrier is usually described by capacity and type (see About Ropeway Classification):

• Cabin -- Usually enclosed; seating optional. Example description: "two 80-passenger cabins on a double reversible system."
• Gondola -- Usually enclosed for year-round use; partially enclosed for amusement park rides; seating optional. Example description: "6-passenger gondola."
• Chair -- Described by capacity. Example descriptions: "single chair"; "triple"; "6-passenger chair."
• Surface lift -- Designated by the type of carrier configuration. Examples: disc; T-bar.
• Funicular -- Usually enclosed, with seating. Carriers are also described as cars.

Terminal -- Almost all ropeways have 2 terminals. One is the drive terminal; the other is a return (idler) terminal. For vertical changes, the terminals are referred to as upper and lower terminals. For ski lifts, the terminals are referred to as loading and unloading (or discharge). (Loading/unloading structures between terminals are uncommon now.) 

• Tension terminal: Either terminal may act as a tension terminal where a tensioning device (for example, 

  counter-weights) is

   located. 

• Angle station: 

  On materials ropeways that where the line of transport is not straight throughout, an intermediate structure called an angle station can be used to change the otherwise straight alignment of the ropeway.

Towers -- Intermediate structures that support carrying and hauling ropes between terminals; sometimes referred to as large pressure frames; rarely referred to as pylons. Towers carry line sheaves (pronounced "shivs") for moving ropes and/or saddles for stationary track ropes.

Ropes -- Formed by the inter-twining of individual wires to form a strand, and the strands to form a rope. Rope variations and processes are chosen for specific applications. Rope for ropeways is generally described by outside diameter in inches, and whether it is bicable (both a haulage rope and a track rope) or monocable (serves both functions).  For example: a 1 1/8" haul rope and a 1 7/8" track rope for a bicable system; a 1 3/8" rope for a monocable system. For ropeways, wire ropes are made into endless loops by using a "long splice" procedure, or terminated by attaching an end to a carrier, anchor or counterweight using end connections such as sockets. 

Evacuation & Rescue Systems -- Passenger ropeways have provisions to rescue stranded passengers. Most aerial systems support the use of harness and rope to lower individual passengers to the ground below. Aerial ropeways can use an auxiliary drive, usually gas or diesel powered, in the event of an electric power failure to move passengers to a terminal. Large reversible aerial ropeways use a rescue system that sends a small independently powered carrier out to remove passengers from a stopped carrier.