Mechanical issues temporarily stall the world’s largest rotating tram car

PALM SPRINGS — Due to mechanical issues, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will remain closed through Saturday, October 16 with a planned reopening at 8 a.m. on Sunday, October 17.

According to Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch, “We have isolated the cause of yesterday’s unexpected emergency brake activation and are proceeding with the necessary adjustments and testing, which we anticipate will conclude on Saturday.”

Additional updates will be provided should there be any changes to this schedule.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, had just reopened on Oct. 11, 2021 after its annual maintenance closure.

Completed projects this year included repositioning of track ropes; changing pendant ropes, and the liners and bushings of pendant rope sheaves; and comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing of Tramway systems.

“Guest safety is always our number one concern at the Tramway,” General Manager Nancy Nichols said in a prepared statement, “and our annual maintenance shutdown is critical in ensuring that.”

During this year’s shutdown, one of the track ropes was repositioned, which is done in 12-year intervals to facilitate even wear, Vice President of Tramway Systems Chris Bartsch said when the Tramway closed in September.  Crews also changed pendant ropes, and the liners and bushings on the pendant rope sheaves. Finally, they conducted the Tramway’s annual comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing on numerous Tramway systems.

The Tramway regrets the inconvenience this closure is causing our visitors, officials said of the current mechanical issues.

Opened in 1963, the Tram’s 80-passenger cars travel along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 ft.) to the Mountain Station (elevation 8,516 ft.) in approximately 10 minutes. For more information, please call 888.515.TRAM or 760.325.1391, or visit us at www.pstramway.com.

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  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway