The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Telpher \Tel"pher\, n. [Gr. ? far, far off + fe`rein to bear.]
   1. (Elec.) A contrivance for the conveyance of vehicles or
      loads by means of electricity. --Fleeming Jenkin.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Elec.) Specif., the equipment or apparatus used in a
      system of electric transportation by means of carriages
      which are suspended on an overhead conductor, as of wire.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   Telpher line, or Telpher road, an electric line or road
      over which vehicles for carrying loads are moved by
      electric engines actuated by a current conveyed by the
      line.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

telpher
    n 1: one of the conveyances (or cars) in a telpherage [syn:
         telpher, telfer]