JPG: Photos: "No Way AM I Riding That!" by Lanis Rossi

No Way AM I Riding That!

Hot! In Photo Challenge: From Above

by Lanis Rossi

Uploaded 21 Aug 2009 — 34 favorites

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Niagara Falls
Whirlpool Aero Car

In 1913, a group of Spanish businessmen proposed the building of a cable car across the width of the Whirlpool from Canadian terminus to Canadian terminus. They negotiated an agreement with the Niagara Parks Commission to operate a passenger cable car. The permission of the State of New York and US Government needed to be obtained before construction began because the proposed route momentarily eclipsed the international border in the middle of the Whirlpool crossing.

The Spanish Aero Car was built in Bilboa, Spain. It was designed by Spanish engineer Leonardo Torre-Quevedo (1852-1939). The basic design was based upon a similar cable car at Mount Ulia in Spain which carried fourteen passengers at a time.

The Spanish Aero Car was designed to travel 1,770 feet (539m) across the Whirlpool from Canadian terminus at Colt's Point (where the ticket office is located and where passengers embark) to Canadian terminal at Thompson Point, at a height of 250 feet (76 meters) above the surface of the turbulent waters. The Aero Car has a capacity of 40 persons.

The Spanish Aero Car operates on a back and forth principal. It is propelled by a single 60 horsepower engine which drives a 7/8 inch (2.23cm) steel looped cable. It is suspended by six - one (1) inch (2.54cm) steel cables. Each cable is attached to an anchorage at one end while tension is maintained by a 10 ton counterweight at the other end.

34 responses

Linda Houghton gave props (21 Aug 2009):
With my fear of heights,, no way could i do this... but it sure looks like it would be an awesome thing
JOE FAILK gave props (21 Aug 2009):
Thanks for the info Great entry!
Betty Maxey gave props (21 Aug 2009):
Oh wow....thats high....can't do it either....but it does make a beautiful image! Love the colors, and perfect for the theme!
Litz Go gave props (21 Aug 2009):
must be exciting! great capture,Lanis.
Richard Knight gave props (21 Aug 2009):
What a shot, Lanis. Outstanding!
Richard Knight said (21 Aug 2009):
Very informative commentary, too. I am trying to encourage our fellow JPG shipmates to include background info (when applicable) because it adds so much to the enjoyment. [60 hp! My riding lawn mower has more than that!]
Dawn Duffield gave props (22 Aug 2009):
Excellent commentary and shot!!!!!
lowison gave props (22 Aug 2009):
Extraordinaire colours!!
Rob Roy gave props (22 Aug 2009):
Superiffic entry, to be sure... and what a beautiful image!!
Leslie Hunziker gave props (22 Aug 2009):
very cool!
John Linton gave props (22 Aug 2009):
Rockin' JPG's Theme Park.
eithne mythen gave props (22 Aug 2009):
Superb entry, excellent info and gorgeous colour especially in the water..
david ong gave props (23 Aug 2009):
thanks for the info, great shot as always L!
Hector rtiz gave props (23 Aug 2009):
lol...dont be scare..
Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (23 Aug 2009):
I wouldn't ride it either.....a creative and beautiful shot!
Deborah Downes gave props (23 Aug 2009):
Wonderful colors and clarity, Lanis. Super entry. Thanks so much for the info.
Judy Wanamaker gave props (24 Aug 2009):
Fabulous entry. Breathtaking view. Even your perspective is scary.
Alexis Gerard gave props (24 Aug 2009):
Wow Lanis...great shot. Did you ride that contraption?
dp * gave props (24 Aug 2009):
Great shot! Lovely entry for theme too. dp
Regenia Brabham gave props (25 Aug 2009):
A fantastic image! Wonderful color! Where can I get a ticket!
May Vokaty gave props (25 Aug 2009):
Great POV...but YIKES
Jacobz Johan gave props (25 Aug 2009):
great colors & 'above'-feeling!
elfriede fulda gave props (25 Aug 2009):
Excellent entry
Tiia Vissak gave props (26 Aug 2009):
a cool image!
Laurie Search gave props (27 Aug 2009):
Wow!! How scary, lol!! I've never seen a picture of this before, so thank you!! And the colors here are beautiful!!
Audrey Kanekoa-Madrid gave props (27 Aug 2009):
Gorgeous! I will take a ride on that anytime!!
Darlene DeBoer gave props (27 Aug 2009):
I agree, this is an outstanding image! Beautiful colors!
suzanne said (28 Aug 2009):
Ugh! Got vertigo already! Great image, but...no thanks...think I'll pass.
Sonia Adam Murray gave props (29 Aug 2009):
Great photo and a very educational dialogue. The view must be awesome from inside the cable car.
Karen Roberts gave props (29 Aug 2009):
Great story! Fabulous view!
martin altclas added a link (1 Sep 2009):
good one! (www.jpgmag.com)
Lori Reece gave props (1 Sep 2009):
Love the history lesson! Great shot too!
lorena asnicar gave props (6 Sep 2009):
fantastic colours.
Karen K Smith gave props (17 Sep 2009):
Great photo, title and entry..and thanks for sharing!