The Mechanical Handling and Storing of Material

ROPEWAYS 265 the methods of ropeway and railway engineers are diametrically opposed, for whereas the one in laying out the line seeks easy grades, to avoid as far as possible irregularities, the other ignores, as a rule, the conditions of the ground, and follows a bee-line from point to point. Up and down gradients which balance each other may be ignored, and the driving power arrived at by taking the mean gradient between the terminal points. In cases where the mean gradient is in favour of the load, the ropeway may become self-acting, and under certain conditions may even develop surplus energy. The ideal ropeway should go straight from point to point, the rope being supported wherever the ground lends itself to the erection of standards, which should, however, not be raised higher than necessary. With regard to the altitude of standards, however, the engineer is necessarily limited by the ground. It may be noted that since so many engineers of eminence devoted themselves to the building of ropeways, great improvements have been made in the details of construction, and in particular that the high trestles which were so marked a feature of the earlier ropeways have to a great extent been suppressed. It is probable, too, that the power used in working ropeways has been very considerably reduced by the selection of gradients in favour of the load. It is further contended that ropeways are independent of weather conditions, and this is no doubt true to a certain extent, because in a mountainous country a heavy fall of snow, which would stop the working of a tramway, would rarely interfere with the working of a ropeway. But it is a question if even the best constructed ropeway can always be worked in high winds and gales, though on this point experts differ. It is usual, however, to protect dwellings and thoroughfares over which ropeways pass by guards or safety nets. Ropeways1 have undoubtedly the advantage of simplicity of construction, and should not under ordinary conditions be subjected to interruptions from the gear getting out of order, though of course ordinary care must be exercised by the staff, which, as already observed, need not be extensive. Much skilled labour should not be required in con- nection with a ropeway. Beyond one competent engineer to superintend the working of the line, unskilled labour should suffice. The power required is relatively small, and under some conditions no driving power at all is required. In many cases, however, the ropeway erector must take into consideration the capital that may be absorbed by “ wayleaves,” because unless the ropeway is run Entirely over his own ground he will be compelled to come to some arrangement with the proprietors of the land over which the ropeway will pass. This is termed a “ wayleave.” It is understood that on the Continent landowners are not generally over exacting with regard'to “wayleaves,” but in this country the reverse seems to be the case. More than one ropeway system which might have rendered good service has had to be abandoned because of the excessive value placed by landowners on the “ wayleaves ” they were asked to grant. This is the more regrettable as the ropeway interferes little, if at all, with the land over which it passes. The amount of ground required for the supports is so trifling as to be practically a negligible quantity, while the line itself in no way interferes with the cultivation of the ground underneath. Ropeways have their limitations; and although they can be carried over the most difficult ground if in straight lines, curves considerably increase their expense and working cost, necessitating as they do the erection of angle stations. The modern system dates back little more than three decades, but during this period the distances which can be traversed and the loads which can be carried have undergone remarkable developments. 1 The Author is indebted to Mr W. T. H. Carrington, M.I.C.E., for portions of the following description.