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The ropeway was then designed to increase the goods carrying capacity
toward the plateau.
The studies started in March 1935, and the hardware was built in Milano (electric motors and cables). The installation began 1935, but the official opening was in March 1937.
With a length of 74.5 km, it was the longest ropeway in the world. Especially in the upper part, between Nefasit and Asmara, the width of the valleys required long spans (distance between supports) of up to 900 meters. The steep slope of the terrain required rope supports of height up to 30 meters.
The ropes were 3, two carrying and one pulling. There were 1500 carts having dumping (or turning?) platform, spaced 100 meters between each other, and the distance between Massaua and Asmara was covered in seven hours.
The total load carrying capacity was 300 tons/day (30 tons/hour in 10 working hours); the same capacity would require 30 trains.
Nefasit was the intermediate station for the goods due to Decamere', and there was the operation direction, the repair shop and the goods stores.
The upper station was at Godaif (southern suburbs of Asmara)."
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