One of Pittsburgh's distinctive features is its cable-powered inclines (known elsewhere as funiculars) for transportation between the river valleys and the communities on top of the overlooking bluffs. At one time Pittsburgh had about fifteen inclines. Two of them remain, on the south bank of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, across from downtown Pittsburgh. They provide service to the Mount Washington residential area.
The cars are not self-powered, and do not even have operators on board the car. Instead, they are pulled up and down the inclined track by a cable driven by an engine in the upper station, where the operator works. The cars operate in pairs, permanently attached to opposite ends of a single cable, with one going uphill and the other going downhill at the same time. The cars therefore counterbalance each other, so the engine needs to provide only enough power to overcome friction and the difference in the weight of the passengers in the two cars.
We are going to examine a few of them...the first two on this page are still in operation today, the others on page two have long since ran their final run.
Lets take a little ride...
The Duquesne Incline (built in 1877) is located just west of the Fort Pitt Bridge, and faces the Ohio River. it has a length of 793 feet, a height of 400 feet, and a grade of 58% (30 degrees). Its lower station is served by many buses on West Carson Street. It is operated by a non-profit preservation society, but transfers can be made to and from Port Authority Transit buses at both stations.
The incline almost faced its end in 1962 due to lack of funds and worn parts, but due to donations and huge public spport, was re-opened in 1963. In 1964, it was aquired by the Port Authority. Instead of closing The Duquesne Incline, which as yet could not be operated economically as part of the transit system, the Port Authority graciously leased the Incline to its rescuers for one dollar a year(which, each year after receipt of the lease fee, PAT promptly returns as a donation to The Duquesne Incline).
Much work has been done to restore and rehabilitate the entire operation. The interior of the Incline cars has been stripped of gray paint to reveal the original hand-carved cherry panels trimmed with oak and birdseye maple. The transoms have some of the original amber glass. Much time has also been devoted to the Waiting Rooms, the cable and motor rooms, and to track maintenance and idler replacement.
In addition, a small wing was added to house administrative offices and an enlarged gift shop, as well as a small extension of the Upper Station's museum gallery. Income from the sale of souvenirs has been most important in providing funds for the Incline's capital-improvement program.
General overview of the Duquesne Incline.
One car to the other on the Duquesne Incline.
A view up the Duquesne Inclines tracks.
Inside the Duquesne Incline.
Nice shot of the incline.
The inner workings...Gear and Drum assembly.
View from upper carhouse.
The lower station of the incline, including the old pot bellied stove.
The upper station. There is a observation platform and a gift shop here.
The incline is beautiful at night.
Here's a old shot...from 1953...The cars are a little faded, but look at the busy industy at the bottom of the tracks! That was gone before I was around!
Ahh, a nice full load headed up...or is it down?
In a rare odd shot from 1960, the incline broke a axle, and has derailed on the track... If you look close you can see the messed up wheel.
One thing about Pittsburgh, it does snow here, and the incline looks absolutely stunning while running in it.
Duquesne Incline in 1908.
Incline with a beautiful morning sunrise.
The other Incline, The Monongahela Incline, by Station Square. I have
been priviledged to operate this one myself... This
Incline (built in 1870) is located near the Smithfield Street bridge,
directly across the Monongahela River from downtown Pittsburgh. Its lower
station is across the street from the Station Square shopping complex,
and is easily accessible from the light rail system at the Station Square
station. It is operated by the Port Authority which operates the rest
of Pittsburgh's transit system. Transfers can be made between the incline
and the light rail and buses.
The incline back in 1870, was a huge success, and helped spur the development of the Mount Washington community. To capitalize on the growing volume of heavy cargo being hauled up the hill, the company constructed an additional freight incline adjacent to the passenger incline. The freight incline opened on March 31, 1884.
The lower station was rebuilt in 1904, and the incline operated for the next thirty years without any changes. Then, in 1935, due to a decline in use, the freight incline was closed and dismantled. The cement foundations are still visible along the hillside. The passenger incline was electrified using a motor drive system designed and manufactured by Otis Elevator Company, and housed in the upper station.
The power system was again replaced in 1994, and the original Monongahela Incline passenger cars were replaced in 1995. As with the original cars, the replacements were specifically built for the incline. In 2015, the incline underwent a $3.5 million renovation, this time by Mosites Construction Company, with upgrades made to the rails, ties, cable and other lift components. The cars were also refurbished.
The Monongahela Incline has the distinction of being the steepest and the oldest operating incline in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
Some fast facts...
- Length: 635 feet
- Elevation: 369.39 feet
- Grade: 35 degrees
- Gauge: 5 foot
- Speed: 6 MPH
- Passenger Capacity: 23 per car
- Opened: 28 May 1870
- Renovated: 1882 (with steel structure)
- Original steam power replaced with electricity: 1935
- Renovated: 1982-83 new track structure, cars and stations
- Renovated: 1994 upper, lower stations, restored cars, replaced electric motors and controls.
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced that beginning on August 1st, 2022 and lasting for a period of approximately four months, the Monongahela Incline will close in order to complete a planned $8.1 million dollar renovation. The work includes upgrading the mechanical, electrical and control systems as well as repainting the bridge structure.
Let's take a ride!
The view of the passenger and freight inclines, in 1905.
Nice shot of the Mon Incline.
Nice view up the tracks before the pass.
View from Grandview Ave on Mt. Washington.
Installing the cars in 1994.
The inclines 3 level cars.
The lower station.
Operator control panel. I remember it well... Very easy to operate...a few door switches, a joystick, and a monitor.
Overview of the incline.
The right side car. Dusk is falling, so the lights are on.
A nice shot in the fall...
The incline is extremely nice looking at night.
Passing on a snowy day.
This was the view I had when I operated the incline during my tenure at the authority. One thing for sure, the view couldn't be beat!
Nice winter shot from McArdle Roadway.
Nice day for a ride!
Here is the Mon in a shot around 1953.
A better shot from 53 of the car...A lot has changed for sure!
View from the operators perspective... I loved this view!
Incline car being unloaded after being rehabbed.
Up or down...Only the photographer knows for sure!
Beautiful view from the bottom to the upper station.
The incline when PAT went to gray, white, and red scheme, same as the trolleys in the late 60's.
Beautiful shot of the incline in the snow.
incline as seen from P.J. McArdle roadway.
View from the incline car.
Slide the slider to compare the incline in 1905 to 2020... My, how time changes everything!
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