Goldbelt Tram
The Mount Roberts Tramway is an aerial tramway located just south of downtown Juneau in the U.S. state of Alaska. In operation since 1996, the tram makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot (1,164 m) Mount Roberts from the cruise ship docks (just feet above sea level) to a height of about 1,800 feet (550 m). A restaurant, theater, nature center and retail shops are located at the top of the tramway, as well as connections to trails leading both up and down the mountain. One trail up the mountain leads to a large cross[1] erected by Roman Catholic Father Brown in the early 1900s.
History
The tramway was conceived by John Heiser in 1994. Heiser, together with Bruce Booher, Marc Bond, Kevin Branson and Ron Greisen, formed Mount Roberts Development Corporation (MRDC). MRDC designed the facility, acquired the necessary land and rights-of-way, and obtained permits. Following the preliminary stages, MRDC partnered with Goldbelt, Incorporated,[2] the ANCSA corporation for Alaska Natives in and from Juneau, to finance, construct and operate the venture. MRDC managed the partnership and oversaw construction of the tramway. The tram opened for limited operation in September 1996 and the grand opening was held in May 1997. MRDC sold its partnership interest to Goldbelt the following year.
The Mount Roberts Tramway is one of Southeast Alaska's most popular tourist attractions,[3] with around 200,000 visitors each summer.
Technical Information and Operation
The Mount Roberts Tramway uses a cable transportation system known as an aerial tramway, first used in the European Alps in the late 1800s. Tramways have been traditionally associated with ski areas, but today these systems are also used in other visitor attractions, material hauling and urban transportation. Leitner-Poma of America, the Mount Roberts Tramway builder, is a subsidiary of Pomagalski, S. A., the world’s largest supplier of ropeway transportation systems.
The tram has two 60-passenger cabins, capable of a maximum uphill capacity of 1050 people per hour. Maximum speed is 2000 feet per minute or 10.2 meters per second. This type of tram is known as a double-reversible or "jig-back". Both cabins are coupled to a common haul rope and they move in unison, one up and one down.
The main drive system is a 600 hp 500V DC GE electric motor. The full-time back up system is two 360 hp Cummins diesel engines with a hydro static drive. Both systems are coupled to a common gearbox
The haul rope is 7,875 feet (2400m) of 35mm solid core cable. The cable has a breaking strength of 172,230 lb. The haul cable operates at 30,050 lb (15 tons) tension per side. The cabins ride on 2 each 50 mm double locking coil track ropes. Each cable is 3526 ft (1075 m) long with a breaking strength of 616,700 lbs. All cables were manufactured by Fatzer of Switzerland.
Base Facilities
The base terminal of the tram is located on the cruise ship docks on South Franklin Street. The terminal building features a large main hall, ticket windows, loading platforms with waiting areas, offices, and maintenance facilities for the tram.
Summit Facilities
The top terminal of the tram is located on a tower and offers spectacular views of the City of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island and the community of Douglas to the west, the Chilkat Mountain Range to the north, and Kupreanof Island to the South.
The terminal platform is joined to the ridge of Mount Roberts by the Skybridge which leads to the summit facilities. The main building includes the Timberline Bar & Grill, the Chilkat Theater showing an informative film of the local Alaska Natives, and Raven Eagle Gifts. Located at the main building is the Stephen Jackson totem pole, a modern rendition of traditional Native themes.
The Juneau Raptor Center operates a bald eagle display at the summit, which provides a recovery center for injured eagles and educational programs for tram visitors. Visitors can also enter the Nature Center which offers guided hiking adventures and books and maps on local recreation.
Several hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty (including wheel-chair accessible paths) have been laid out leading from the summit facilities. Many of these feature spectacular views from the Mount Roberts ridgeline, and some wind through the forest trees and meadows with wild flowers and animals. The forest paths feature trees with totemic carvings depicting Native legends. Interpretive markers describing many of the flowers, plants, trees, birds and animals are placed along the loop trail for self-guided walks.
References
External links
Media related to Mount Roberts Tramway at Wikimedia Commons