Tramway Getting Ready for Visitors

Franklin Mountains State Park rangers at the Wyler Tramway are getting ready for the summer rush.

More than 45,000 visitors are expected to make their way up into the mountains and ride the 10-minute gondola ride to the top.

The view from the peak of mountain is unlike any other in town. Fom one vantage point a spectator can see three states, three cities and two countries.

But as scenic and peaceful as the ride may seem, rangers at the tramway have had to battle some turbulence.

Park cutbacks by the state have reduced the staff at the park and shortened operating hours. In October, vandals and taggers attempted to disturb the park?s scenic beauty.

Park Ranger Beto Quinones has operated the tram for more than 40 years.

In addition to manning the controls which power the gondolas up and down the cables, he now stands at the helm of a high-tech 24-hour security system. Although Quinones has been on the job for decades, it continues to change ? much like the view from above.

?I?ve been here at sunrises, sunset, day and night,? Quinones said. ?And every time you look down there, something has changed.?