Monongahela Incline

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Monongahela Incline
Logo
Locale Pittsburgh, PA
Dates of operation 1870–present
Track gauge 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters Pittsburgh, PA

Coordinates: 40.431864° N 80.005448° W

The Monongahela Incline, located near the Smithfield Street Bridge, it is the oldest continuously operating funicular in the USA, and one of two surviving (the other is the nearby Duquesne Incline) from the original 77 built in 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.

Pittsburgh's expanding industrial base in 1860 created a huge demand for labor, attracting mainly German immigrants to the region. This created a serious housing shortage as industry occupied most of the flat lands adjacent to the river, leaving only the steep, surrounding hillsides of Mt. Washington or "Coal Hill" for housing. However, travel between the "hill" and other areas was hindered by a lack of good roads or public transport.

The predominantly German immigrants who settled on Mt. Washington, remembering the Seilbahns (Cable cars) of their former country, proposed the construction of inclines along the face of Coal Hill. The result was the Monongahela Incline, which opened May 28, 1870.

It is operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, which operates the rest of Pittsburgh's transit system. Transfers can be made between the incline and the light rail and buses.

  • Length: 635 feet (194 m)
  • Elevation: 369.39 feet (113 m)
  • Grade: 35 degrees, 35 minutes
  • Speed: 6 MPH (10 km/h)
  • Passenger Capacity: 23 per car
  • Opened: May 28, 1870
  • Renovated: 1882 (with steel structure)
  • Renovated: 1982-83 new track structure, cars and stations
  • Renovated: 1994 upper, lower stations, restored cars, replaced electric motors and controls


The view from the top, upper station on right of picture
The view from the top, upper station on right of picture

[edit] Gallery

Ascending
Descending
The sign

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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This article has been tagged since March 2007.