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Robert A. Trennert

Riding the High Wire: Aerial Mine Tramways in the West Hardcover – September 1, 2001

by Robert A. Trennert (Author)

11 ratings

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Riding the High Wire is the first comprehensive history of aerial mine tramways in the American West, describing their place in the evolution of mining after 1870. Robert A. Trennert shows how the mid-nineteenth century development of wire rope manufacturing made it possible for American entrepreneurs such as Andrew S. Hallidie and Charles Huson to begin erecting single-rope tramways in the 1870s and 1880s. Their inventions were followed by the more substantial double-rope systems imported from Europe. By the turn of the century, aerial tramways were common throughout western mining regions, hauling everything from gold and silver ore to coal and salt and changing the face of the industry.

Aerial mine tramways proved to have a special fascination; people often rode them for a thrill, sometimes with disastrous results. They were also very temperamental, needed constant attention, and were prone to accidents. The years between 1900 and 1920 saw the operation of some of the west's most spectacular tramways, but the decline in high-country mining beginning in the 1920s--coupled with the development of more efficient means of transportation--made this technology all but obsolete by the end of the Second World War.

Historians and the general reader will be equally enthralled by Trennert's fascinating story of the rise and fall of aerial mine tramways.

"Professor Trennert has explored a new area of mining history, and is to be commended for his pioneering work." --Liston Leyendecker, author of The Griffith Family and the Founding of Georgetown.

Print length

140 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Univ Pr of Colorado
Publication date

September 1, 2001
Dimensions

6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0870816306
ISBN-13

978-0870816307
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Product details

Publisher : Univ Pr of Colorado (September 1, 2001)
Language : English
Hardcover : 140 pages
ISBN-10 : 0870816306
ISBN-13 : 978-0870816307
Item Weight : 14.2 ounces
Dimensions : 6.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,932,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,441 in Mining (Books)
- #8,804 in History of Technology
- #134,932 in U.S. State & Local History

Customer Reviews:
11 ratings

Customer reviews

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4 star		17%
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2 star		18%
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American Citizen

The next forty pages chronicle the great western tramways and their eventual demise

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2017

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What a lucky find for me! A brand new hardcover that came from Boise, Idaho's public library system. The first two chapters reveal the history of how tramways came to be and the third chapter outlines their construction and operation. The next forty pages chronicle the great western tramways and their eventual demise.. Author Robert Trennert also included extensive notes and a bibliography which are really valuable for researchers and tramway fans. I have been to a lot of the mines mentioned in this book so having the historical photos and descriptions really helps to see how the mines looked when in operation. The Saline Salt Tram is the most impressive and a lot of old structures are still tucked away high in the canyons with old tools still hanging on nails.

One person found this helpful

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Anthony S. King

Very interesting read about Tramways

Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

Very interesting book on the Wire Rope Tramways. All about their invention, problems & successes

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Outlaw_Frog

Great Read

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Explained the history, design, function and usage of the Aerial Tramway during the golden years of mining in the American west. If you chase history of that era, you should enjoy this book.

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Jennifer F.

Arrived quickly and in good condition. Thank you

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2018

Verified Purchase

Interesting book. Arrived quickly and in good condition. Thank you.

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Thom

Trennert: Riding the High Wire

Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2015

Verified Purchase

Robert Trennert does an excellent historical coverage of aerial rope tramways. Being interested in the subject, I found this to be a very engaging coverage.

One person found this helpful

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Shiloh Girl

wonderful history of the old mine tramways!

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is full of information that you won't get anywhere else. This book is a must for people that are interested in old mining!

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Ray Iddings

Riding the High Wire, Aerial Mine Tramways in the West

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2004

Riding the High Wire, Aerial Mine Tramways in the West is an interesting quick read with many historic photographs. The book covers an important and neglected portion of early Western American mining history. The author is certainly knowledgeable, and his interest in the topic makes the book interesting to read.

5 people found this helpful

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silverlace

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2015

Chock full of information!

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