Elevator system

An elevator system, comprising:

• a hoistway having a plurality of landings;
• an elevator car configured to move within the hoistway between the plurality of landings;
• a plurality of guide rails configured to guide movement of at least one of the elevator car and a counterweight arranged within the hoistway, wherein each of the plurality of guide rails includes a base and a blade;
• and
• a machine assembly mounted within the hoistway and including a traction sheave rotatable about an axis, the traction sheave being configured to drive movement of the elevator car between the plurality of landings, wherein at least one of the plurality of guide rails is arranged in an overlapping configuration with the machine assembly such that a plane defined by the base of the at least one guide rail is parallel to the axis and intersects a portion of the traction sheave, and at least one notch is formed in the base of the at least one guide rail such that a clearance exists between an outer periphery of the traction sheave and the base of the at least one guide rail.