Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

AERIAL ROPEWAY IN THE ANDES. 127 A PASSENGER CAR. rope. Furthermore, when a car enters a sec- tion it takes hold gradually, so as not to cause any sudden strain. The heavy carrying ropes are lubricated by a special car, having on it a cask of oil and a pump. The pump, driven by the wheels of the carriage, squirts oil on to Lubricating w]ieeis for delivery to the Ropes ropes, over which it is spread evenly by brushes. To pre- serve the hauling ropes, tanks of oil are pro- vided on the stations, and the ropes, as they travel, pass over rollers half submerged in these tanks. The total rolling stock on the cableway numbers 640 cars, including vehicles for special purposes. At every station is a small shop, in which minor repairs may be effected, and at the Upulungos terminal has been established a very efficient repairing works equipped with lathes, machine tools, and all other necessary plant. The same is the case at Chilecito, as it is of the utmost importance that in so remote a region the outfit should be as independent as possible of outside resources. The line is worked on much the same principles as ordinary railways. At each station is a stationmaster, a telephone opera- tor, and employees, whose duty it is to patrol the line and see that everything is in proper working order. The telephone wires run par- allel to the track on separate posts of iron placed about 110 yards apart. By means of portable telephonic apparatus workmen are able to get into communication with the nearest station, and report quickly any defect discovered. As an engineering work the construction of the Famatina Cableway may be reckoned no mean achievement. When em- ployed to its full capacity the line will transport ore from mine to smelter for little Effects of the Cableway. more than a fifth of the sum charged per ton by the muleteer, and so will do much towards converting desultory CARRIER AND SKIP PASSING THROUGH A STATION.