Getty Center Tram
| Getty Center Tram | |
|---|---|
A train at the Getty Center station | |
| Overview | |
| Locale | Los Angeles, California |
| Termini |
|
| Stations | 2 |
| Service | |
| Type | People mover |
| Rolling stock | 2 × 3-car Otis Hovair |
| History | |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 0.75 mi (1.21 km)[1] |
| Operating speed | 14 mph (23 km/h) |
The Getty Center Tram is a 0.75-mile (1.21 km) people mover system that serves the Getty Center in Los Angeles. It runs two cable-driven hovertrains each consisting of three Otis Hovair vehicles.[1]
History
The tram line, already planned in 1988,[2] was opened at the end of 1997, following the inauguration of the Getty Center. The tram consists of air-cushioned, cable-driven vehicles that are driverless. Seismically designed, the track is an elevated structure reinforced by grade beam sections. An earthquake of a 6.8 magnitude struck Northridge, California only 11 days after the tram was completed on January 6, 1994. However, the structure showed no signs of damage.[3]
Route
The line, located north of Brentwood, in the Westside Region of Los Angeles, links a freeway-level parking garage to the Getty Center, which includes the J. Paul Getty Museum. The duration of a ride is about 3 to 4 minutes.[1]
The lower station (34°05′15.8″N 118°28′32.8″W / 34.087722°N 118.475778°W), at the bottom of the hill, lies beside Sepulveda Boulevard and the San Diego Freeway and features a refuge siding. The upper station (34°04′42.1″N 118°28′29.9″W / 34.078361°N 118.474972°W), at the top of the hill, is located in the arrival plaza of the Getty Center and is part of the structure.[4] The line follows Getty Center Drive and has a passing loop in the middle, although the two trains can operate independently.[5]
Gallery
-
View of the upper station
-
Platform of the lower station
-
Train departing from the lower station
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Getty Center Tram - Los Angeles, CA USA". Waymarking.com.
- ^ Krueger, Christopher (July 14, 1988). "Tram System Proposed for J. Paul Getty Center". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Guarre, J. S.; Hjorteset, K. (January 1999). "Seismic Design of the Getty Center Tram Guideway". Concrete International. 21 (1). ISSN 0162-4075.
- ^ 19758296 Getty Center Tram on OpenStreetMap
- ^ Simon, Richard (August 11, 1995). "The Art of Getting to the Getty Will Have Visitors Floating on Air". Los Angeles Times.