The Gateway Arch, also known as the Gateway to the West is the tallest monument of the United States, located in Missouri, USA. This was designed by an American architect Eero Saarinen and structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947. It stands 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide at its base. This is the iconic image of St. Louis, Missouri and an integral part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.
An arched observation area exists at the top of the arch. Thirty-two small windows (16 per side) of 7 x 27 inches size allow views across the Mississippi River and southern Illinois. One can see up to 30 miles, on a clear day. In order to avoid the need to climb more than 1000 stairs, a unique tram system that combined an elevator cable lift system with gimbaled cars has been installed.From the visitor center one may move to either base: north or south ends of the Arch and enter the tramway. The north queue area includes displays which interpret the design and construction of the Gateway Arch and the south queue area includes displays about the St. Louis riverfront during the mid-19th century.
Passing through the doors, passengers in groups of five enter an egg-shaped compartment of five seats and a flat floor.The compartments have sloped ceilings low enough to force taller riders to lean forward while seated . Eight compartments are linked to form a train. Both trains have a capacity of 40, and that 80 people can be transported at one time. These compartments individually retain an appropriate level by periodically rotating every 5 degrees, which allows them to maintain the correct orientation while the entire train follows curved tracks up one leg of the arch. The trip to the top of the Arch takes four minutes, and the trip down takes three minutes. The car doors have narrow windows, allowing passengers to see the interior stairways and structure of the Arch during the trip. This unique tramway is one of the main attractions of this arch. It is designed by Richard Bowser
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