Aerial ropeway

Unloading 155mm propellant charges at Farleigh Down in the autumn of 1943. Virtually all movements were now done via the tunnel belt and the aerial ropeway saw only intermittent use. Note the trucks adapted with end plates for work on the tram-creeper. 

Farleigh Down Sidings, with the aerial ropeway in operation during the summer of 1941. The pit in the foreground is the unfinished motor-room for the tunnel tram-creeper. After completion of the tunnel, the handrails were replaced by an open-fronted corrugated iron shed. 

A view of the aerial ropeway transfer station during a busy day at Farleigh... 

A unique view of the aerial ropeway at Monkton Farleigh, taken from inside the transit shed at No. 20 District. Several skips are approaching on the right, and No. 19 loading platform is visible in the left background. 

The advantages offered by an aerial ropeway (aerial tramway) are due to its ability to overcome difficult terrain conditions. This method of transporting materials is largely independent of the nature and utilization of the ground over which the system is routed. It provides a short connection between the terminal stations and can overcome considerable gradients. Operation of the ropeway can be fully automated, while power consumption is relatively low. 

As employed here, the term relates to material handling devices which run continuously. The material itself may be carried along in a continuous flow (e.g., on a belt conveyor) or in individual receptacles which may be very closely spaced (e.g., on a bucket conveyor) or farther apart (e.g., on a bucket elevator) or indeed some considerable distance apart and possibly detachable (e.g., on aerial ropeways or tramways). 

At the time of construction, the headframe at Allan was the world s tallest A-frame structure standing approximately 95m high. The erection of the building was planned with safety in mind using techniques that allowed for pre-assembly on the ground minimizing aerial work. The new headframe was built to stand above the old similarly to other projects. Immediately adjacent to the heaframe is the hoist house and an enclosed ropeway connected the two. This was put it to protect the ropes and the hoist from the harsh weather conditions found in Saskatchewan. 

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