Historic Estes Park Tram back in operation

A historic Colorado streetcar that seemed doomed a year ago is back in operation thanks to its sale to an out-of-state company that builds and operates urban and tourist gondolas.

Built in 1955, the Estes Park Tram is scheduled to operate until 2022, but did not open last year after its owners put it up for sale. Gondola Ventures purchased it and reopened it in May.

The Estes Park Tram takes tourists 1,080 feet up Prospect Mountain on the western edge of Estes Park, about four miles east of the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was built by cable car legend Robert Heron, a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division who constructed several ski lifts in Colorado after World War II, including Aspen’s single-chair Lift 1 in 1946 and Colorado’s first double chair at Berthoud Pass in 1947. During his career, he was involved in the construction of over 100 ski lifts across the country.

Bryan McFarland and Mary Jane Loevlie, who are investors in the tram, are also behind the project to build a gondola in Idaho Springs called the Mighty Argo Cable Car. Gondola Ventures is also involved in that project. The purchase of the Estes Park Tram was completed in March.