Memphis Suspension Railway

The Memphis Suspension Railway is a cable-propelled transport system that carries passengers across the Mississippi River from downtown to Mud Island Park. Two cabins hang from a steel cable and travel continuously over the water, spanning roughly a third of a mile.

This transportation system opened in 1982 and has since connected the city center with the island's recreation area. It was developed as part of a broader effort to revitalize the waterfront and expand visitor attractions.

The suspension railway appeared in the 1993 film The Firm, showcasing the transportation system as an integral part of Memphis urban infrastructure.

The journey takes about seven minutes and offers good views of the river and skyline during the crossing. It is best to ride during daylight hours when visibility of the surroundings is clearest.

The two cabins are designed to hang precisely beneath a steel truss bridge while maintaining strict river traffic clearance requirements. This engineering detail is barely noticeable from a distance but makes the structure particularly complex.

Location: Memphis

Inception: 1982

Official opening: 1982

GPS coordinates: 35.15032,-90.05585

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30