Sandia Peak Tramway



"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 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. 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

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.