This Doppelmayr is the second lift to run in a similar alignment.The unique bottom station features drive equipment and two vertical bullwheels.Lower station overview.The drive bullwheel.Backup engine.Loading area.Outside control box.View of the bottom bullwheel.Tower 1.Middle part of the lift line.There is a long unsupported span leading into the top terminal.Breakover towers.Tower 8 also supports the tensioning system.View from the summit.Two groups of three 12 passenger cabins circulate.Tower 8 and the top station.Towers 6 and 7.Cabins passing the top towers.The communication line is much lower to the ground than the haul rope along this span.Upper terminal area.Side view of a pulse.Back view of cabin 3.Another look at the breakover.The return bullwheel and loading platform all move with the tensioning system.View leaving the top terminal.A two section splice tower.Lower lift line.Nearing the bottom station.Arriving at the base.Cabins pass exactly half way.Lift overview.Most of the towers are along the lower half of the alignment.Another view of the line.All six cabins.Lift overview.
On the 8th to the last image, with the caption “Nearing the bottom station”, why is there a random haul rope coil on the ground to the right of the line?
As far as I know the last time the rope was replaced was after the hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. It was there today on my ride. my only guess is because the spool looks to be halfway used it’s extra or there for the next time the haul rope needs to be replaced.
I have visited and documented every piece that remains of the old tramway that I’m aware of. I have also talked to multiple individuals that have partaken in its construction and operation, as well as an individual who assisted in its evacuation the day it stopped working. I am trying to find a way to upload them or if you contact me directly, I’ll gladly share with you.
I also have dozens of photos of its operation. The only thing I do not have a photo of is the bottom station, but I do remember seeing it as a kid on display at the Governors Office in St. Thomas on a monitor showing history of the Virgin Islands. That is the last piece to me completing what I know of it.
Question…my previous knowledge had led me to believe that a ski resort needs snow.
I realize this is the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, but still, they consider this a ski resort. If they called it a ski resort, wouldn’t they at least have snowmaking if there was no natural snow?
Clearance needed between the terrain and the station. ST Thomas is mostly volcanic, and there’s a highway in front of the station. Hence, why the station is on the second level. Also, digging through our hard volcanic rock normally requires excavators fitted with jackhammers and is very costly.
Clearance needed between the terain and the station. ST Thomas is mostly volcanic and there’s a highway in front of the station. Hence why the station is on the second level. Also digging through our hard volcanic rock normally requires excavators fitted with jackhammers and is very costly.
Lift Blog 
The rope is coming off the 2nd sheave on both the uphill and downhill sides of Tower 8!
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Looks ok to me.
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On the 8th to the last image, with the caption “Nearing the bottom station”, why is there a random haul rope coil on the ground to the right of the line?
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As far as I know the last time the rope was replaced was after the hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. It was there today on my ride. my only guess is because the spool looks to be halfway used it’s extra or there for the next time the haul rope needs to be replaced.
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You can see an old Poma gondola tower in this picture (middle left):
Zoomed up:
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Where did that lift go? What else remains? Great photo!
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Just a few towers remain. It was a 12-tower Poma pulse gondola, installed in 1963 featuring open air cabins. Closed sometime in the early to mid 80’s.
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I have visited and documented every piece that remains of the old tramway that I’m aware of. I have also talked to multiple individuals that have partaken in its construction and operation, as well as an individual who assisted in its evacuation the day it stopped working. I am trying to find a way to upload them or if you contact me directly, I’ll gladly share with you.
LikeLike
I also have dozens of photos of its operation. The only thing I do not have a photo of is the bottom station, but I do remember seeing it as a kid on display at the Governors Office in St. Thomas on a monitor showing history of the Virgin Islands. That is the last piece to me completing what I know of it.
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Question…my previous knowledge had led me to believe that a ski resort needs snow.
I realize this is the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, but still, they consider this a ski resort. If they called it a ski resort, wouldn’t they at least have snowmaking if there was no natural snow?
Which begs the question, where is all the snow?
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What’s the deal with the vertical bullwheel compression at the bottom station? Never seen that on anything but a pomalift.
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Clearance needed between the terrain and the station. ST Thomas is mostly volcanic, and there’s a highway in front of the station. Hence, why the station is on the second level. Also, digging through our hard volcanic rock normally requires excavators fitted with jackhammers and is very costly.
LikeLike
Clearance needed between the terain and the station. ST Thomas is mostly volcanic and there’s a highway in front of the station. Hence why the station is on the second level. Also digging through our hard volcanic rock normally requires excavators fitted with jackhammers and is very costly.
LikeLike