Unfortunately, this lift is a result of a failed experiment at a ski train from Quebec City owned and operated by the mountain.The ski train and gondola ran for two seasons but did not bring in enough revenue to break even.The gondola still appears to be operational as of 2019 but does not regularly operate.There are four groups of three cabins each.The line crosses two roads.Towers 1, 2 and 3 are all connected.72 sheaves on just three towers!The bottom terminal is sandwiched between the water, train tracks and a hillside.Therefore two vertical bullwheels were needed to achieve the quick angle change.Cabins at the breakover.Abandoned train station with the gondola at the far end.Uni-G styled drive terminal to match the detachable gondola nearby.Side view of the compact drive terminal.Looking up at the first three towers.One of four bullwheels on the lift.Bottom part of the lift.Cabins above the St. Lawrence.Flatter upper part of the line with three more towers.Side view of towers 1-3.
I agree! Even in these Covid-ruined straits, I’d rather mask up and ride a train than sit behind another 2C plate driving 13 mph on the Bogus Basin Road.
It is such a shame they are shutting down the train operation. If ridership is an issue, simply charge parking at its cost (snow clearing, paving, maintenance, staffing, etc.) and see how many people switch over. Without doing this, train riders are paying for themselves and drivers are essentially being subsidized, so it makes sense why many people elect to drive.
I would like to know why the ski train failed as it was only a one hour commute. If the Denver Ski Train works, Quebec City is similar in size and it operated a smaller train. I did look up the rail line and it appears there were hardly any stops to catch it. Maybe a corridor revaluation needs to happen. I would introduce mountain biking and have regular trains every hour.
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Is there any other lift like this with the vertical bull wheels?
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Some older detachable lifts in Europe have vertical bullwheels, but modern lifts with vertical bullwheels are uncommon.
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The Ridge Gondola at Heavenly did, but it was been replaced by a funicular. http://www.skilifts.org/old/ca-heavenly.htm
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I’d love to see more pictures of that gondola.
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I’ve never heard of a Ridge Gondola or funicular at Heavenly, and the linked site doesn’t mention either.
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Here is another photo. You can make out the gondola in the centre of the picture.
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Do you happen to have an archived version of this picture. Been very curious about how this would operate.
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Paradise Point Tram, US Virgin Islands
https://liftblog.com/skyride-paradise-point-vi/
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It looks like this still operates in the summer when the seasonal tourist train makes its rounds.
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I always thought there was a lift with two bull-wheels at the bottom!
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Wow. Lift that rarely operates. Abandoned train station. Why did this fail so hard?!
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I agree! Even in these Covid-ruined straits, I’d rather mask up and ride a train than sit behind another 2C plate driving 13 mph on the Bogus Basin Road.
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Yeah, that gets really annoying. I have been in that position.
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This lift is no longer shown on their most recent trail map.
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It’s an incredible machine, hopefully it gets relocated (if it gets removed).
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It is such a shame they are shutting down the train operation. If ridership is an issue, simply charge parking at its cost (snow clearing, paving, maintenance, staffing, etc.) and see how many people switch over. Without doing this, train riders are paying for themselves and drivers are essentially being subsidized, so it makes sense why many people elect to drive.
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Do they still run this gondola?
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I don’t think so.
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Maybe they should sell this to Loon for their pulse gondola ;-)
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I would like to know why the ski train failed as it was only a one hour commute. If the Denver Ski Train works, Quebec City is similar in size and it operated a smaller train. I did look up the rail line and it appears there were hardly any stops to catch it. Maybe a corridor revaluation needs to happen. I would introduce mountain biking and have regular trains every hour.
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