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Monongahela Freight Incline

Coordinates: 40°25′55″N 80°00′20″W / 40.431944°N 80.005556°W / 40.431944; -80.005556
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Monongahela Freight Incline
Overview
HeadquartersPittsburgh, PA
LocalePittsburgh, PA
Dates of operation1884–1935
Technical
Track gauge10 ft (3,048 mm)

The Monongahela Freight Incline was a funicular railway that scaled Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

History and features

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Designed by European immigrants Samuel Diescher and John Endres, this incline was built beside the smaller, original Monongahela Incline and opened in 1884.[1] The incline cost $125,000.

It had a unique 10 ft (3,048 mm) broad gauge that would allow vehicles, as well as walk-on passengers, to ascend and descend the hill. The cars were hoisted by a pair of Robinson & Rea engines.[2]

The incline operated until 1935.[3]

The older passenger incline, which was built in 1870, is one of two inclines still serving South Side Pittsburgh today, out of a total of seventeen that were built during the nineteenth century. Passengers can see concrete pylons remaining from the freight incline during the descent.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Diescher, Samuel (June 1897). "American Inclined Plane Railways". Cassier's Magazine. 12 (2): 86.
  2. ^ A Century of Inclines, pp. 7-8.
  3. ^ "Twentieth Century Progress Dooms Vehicle Incline Built Before Autos Replaced Hansoms and Victorias". The Pittsburgh Press. 11 October 1935. p. 37.

Sources

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  • A Century of Inclines, The Society for the Preservation of the Duquesne Incline.

40°25′55″N 80°00′20″W / 40.431944°N 80.005556°W / 40.431944; -80.005556