News Release

Elevator Service Restored After Completion of Repairs

Date: April 25, 2018
Contact: Juan Gomez, 575-236-1406

The secondary elevators at Carlsbad Caverns National Park are back in service after a traveling cable was replaced. The traveling cable sends the correct signal to the controls that allow the elevator car to operate.

The secondary elevators have been out of service since March 26, when one of the cars became stranded at 740 feet below the surface with three visitors inside due to a worn traveling cable. All three visitors were safely rescued by the Carlsbad Fire Department and National Park Service rangers.

"We are pleased to return elevator service into and out of the cavern," said Acting Superintendent Juan Gomez. "Ensuring safe elevators for our visitors and staff is paramount." 

The secondary elevators are part of two separate elevator systems (in two separate elevator shafts) at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The primary elevator system was originally installed in 1955 and went out of service in November 2015 when a six-inch motor shaft unexpectedly sheared off. Work to repair and modernize the primary elevators began in December 2017, and is on schedule to be completed by the end of May 2018. The secondary elevators have been providing all park elevator service while the primary elevators are being rebuilt.