A total of six gondola cars will be traveling the new tramway at one time at the Royal Gorge Park. Each car will carry up to 8 passengers and are handicap accessible. (photo courtesy: Royal Gorge Bridge)
Spring Breakers are out in full force according to Royal Gorge Bridge and Park General Manager Mike Bandera, and the new park tramway ran for the first time last Saturday. The bright red Leitner-POMA cabins will take guests across a 2,400 foot-span about 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River.
The park was 90% damaged due to the wildfire in June 2013, destroying the park’s 35-passenger single span aerial tram which spanned the gorge since 1969. Along with the new gondolas, the park will be re-opening the theater and the Royal Rush Skycoaster on a daily basis through the Fall.
Jon Mauch, Leitner-POMA North American Sales Manager called the new tramway a unique installation. “It was quite a feat, spanning the gondolas that far over a deep canyon. There are very few like this in the world,” he said. “This is a far superior experience for guests, replacing the old tram with these gondolas. With the many technological improvements, we’ve increased capacity, and people can sit down and enjoy the spectacular views with floor to ceiling glass,” Mauch said. Leitner-Poma is one of the world’s largest tram and gondola builders.
This week, Bandera said the park will be opening North America’s highest Zip Line by Zip Rider, running parallel with the new gondolas. In addition, the mini-train will also be re-opening for guests of all ages to enjoy.
The Fremont County Board of Commissioners congratulates Mike Bandera and the staff at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park for another significant milestone in developing a new and exciting attraction at the park in the aftermath of the devastating wildfire nearly two years ago.