Twelve
cars ran in continuous circulation between two end stations positioned 25
feet apart with a 6 foot height difference, supported en route by 3 pylons.
Both end stations were powered. The main pulleys were mounted on sprung, horizontally-rolling carriages to maintain tension on the cable. Drive was via gear rings bolted to the top sides of the pulleys, worm-driven from fan motors mounted on the pulley carriages.
Cars were attached to the cable (nylon cord) by squeezed-on rod and strip connectors, which passed over the supporting 1" pylon pulleys without derailing, underneath flanged wheels under the station portals, and sideways inside the grooves of the horizontal 6" main pulleys.
An insulated wire carried power from the bottom to the top station and, secured to the pylon tops, helped to stabilise them.
A
transparent panel and light in the bottom station roof allowed sight of the
mechanism inside, and the viewer to see (so to speak) where the flies went
in Winter.
Builder's comment: A unexpectedly successful model which ran through a full Skegex weekend and two Henley exhibitions. Not popular with exhibition stewards, though, who had the job of setting up and securing tiered tables on the stage.