Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 14 July 1931, page 7


AERIAL TRAMWAY

Proposal for Mount

Wellington

Scheme Explained

Developing an Asset

A proposal has been on foot for a considerable time for the erection of an aerial cable tramway from the Springs to the summit of Mt. Wellington, similar to the aerial tramway systems which for years have been operating successfully in the Swiss Alps, Italy and other Eur-opean countries. Owing to the econ-omic situation the scheme has had to be deferred, but it is intended by the promoters to proceed with it as soon as matters become more stable.

The only means of reaching the pin-nacle of Mt. Wellington from the Springs at present is by the narrow, steep winding track, known as the "zig-zag," Involving a walk of a mile and a half, or by one of the new tracks around the foot of the Organ Pipes. Despite

the somewhat strenuous nature of the

climb, however, many thousands of ar-dent spirits make the ascent to the sum-mit every year to enjoy the snow sports in the winter, and the magnificent pan-oramic view extending for miles and the exhilarating atmosphere in the summer. The advent of an aerial tramway, it is thought-and apparently, as far as can be seen, with justification-would add greatly to the popularity of Mt Welling-ton, and many more persons of maturer years would be able to enjoy a trip to the top of the mountain in safety and greater comfort.

TO TOP IN NINE MINUTES.

The proposal provides that 10 passen-ger observation cars should travel be-tween the upper and lower terminals on a developed length of line of approxi-mately 5,800ft., each trip occupying nine minutes, and giving an average speed of approximately 660ft. a minute. Each car would run on one of the track ropes; while one ascended the other would des-cend. Electric current driving a 40 horse-power motor would supply the motive power, and an auxiliary oil en-gine would be installed to provide against any unexpected interruption of the electric power.

The ropeway would be designed on the jigback, or two-and-fro system. There would be two carrying, or track ropes, anchored at the upper terminals, and kept in constant tension by floating counter-weights at the lower terminals. There would also be another rope (called the braker-rope), to which the cars would be automatically gripped in case of a breakdown of the traction rope. The third rope, which would be normally inoperative and consequently not sub-ject to wear, would also be kept taut at the down station by floating counter- weights, and at the upper station by turns about the grooves of an auxiliary driving unit, which would be put into action in the event of any failure of the traction rope in order to take the cars to their respective terminals. This would be accomplished with safety and without having to transfer the passen-gers to one of the other cars.

TELEPHONE TO STATION.

The breaking strain of the plough steel acid grade wires would be about 100 to 110 tons a square Inch. Each passenger car would be connected with the power station by an independent telephone line. The scheme provides also for an obser-vation and tea kiosk at the pinnacle.

The wealth of glorious mountain scen-ery is one of Tasmania's most valuable assets from a tourist viewpoint, and en-deavours to develop such an asset by providing facilities which would be availed of by residents and visitors alike have much to commend them. To large numbers of tourists the walk from the Springs to the pinnacle is amply justi-fied by the grandeur, of the inspiring panorama, but, unfortunately for them, there are others who find that through either lack of time or inability to adjust their arrangements they are unable to make the trip to the top of the moun-tain.

WINTER SPORTS.

One of the most attractive features of the scheme would be the fact that devotees of winter sports-not only those living in Hobart and other parts of the State, but also enthusiasts from other parts of the Commonwealthwould welcome the facilities whichwould would be provided for reaching the good ski-ing grounds which may be found on the back slopes of the mountain. The best areas for winter sports, of course, are at National Park, but some of the stretches behind Mt. Wellington are suitable for ski-running, as members of the Ski Club of Tasmania have demon-strated. The principal deterrent to an increase in their popularity has been their comparative inaccessibility, but were they within much easier reach of the city they would become very popular with devotees of winter sports who are unable to find sufficient time to visit the more distant reserves even for a week-

end.

TYPE OF AERIAL TRAMWAY PROPOSED FOR MOUNT WELLINGTON

PASSENGER CAR AND STATION.

-The photograph shows a modern passenger observation car in operation in

Europe, with the track ropes and one of the towers. All are similar in type to those that would be used on the ser-

vice proposed to be operated between the Springs and the pinnacle of Mt Wellington. (See letterpress.)

TRIP OF NINE MINUTES FROM SPRINGS TO PINNACLE

PROPOSED ROPEWAY.

The plan is of the proposed passenger ropeway" between the Springs

and the summit of Mount Wellington. The trip by aerial car would occupy nine minutes. There would be stations

at the pinnacle and at the Springs, and three stations between, as shown in the plan. (See letterpress.)