Each of the last couple of visits to Pittsburgh Joe's been meaning to take me on a trip up and down on the Monongahela Incline - sadly the back in August it was broken, but when we happened to be down in the city for Thanksgiving we had an afternoon to spare. Built in 1870, the incline is one of only two that remain from the fifteen that once use to transport people and goods up and down between the river valleys and the communities above. It's also the oldest continuously operating funicular railway in the United States.
Today both the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines transport residents and tourists 600 feet up and down the side of Mount Washington. Before their construction the only way to pass between the river and the hill was upon extremely steep walkways, now for a round trip of $5 (if I remember rightly) you get to sit back and enjoy the ride and see the Pittsburgh skyline before you has you travel down the slope towards Station Square.
The cars travel at around 6 miles an hour which is fast enough when you can look down and see the drop. Each of the cars operate as a pair, simultaneously pulled up and down by a cable operated by an engine within the upper station.
Parking at the top of the incline after the short descent we spent an hour or so walking around Station Square - a popular retail and restaurant area of Pittsburgh which is housed in what was a former railway station for the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad (see logic in the name and can be seen in the first image as the building with the red long roof). Being a train geek Joe knew I would love a look around and it's exciting to see how they changed the stations interior while keeping the overall feel of the station both inside and out.
The above image (source) taken in 1910 captures the incline from across the river by Smithfield Street Bridge gives you a better scale of both Mount Washington and the incline itself. The Railway Station is just before it to the right.
If you ever happen to be in Pittsburgh and have an hour to spare, an incline ride is well worth the experience - the ride is a little scary when you consider you're only been held in place by a cable but the views are amazing!
What lovely photos. I love reading about history of places. It's so nice that they like to keep the old touches and not get rid of them. I'm so jealous of the snow too. I'd love for some to arrive here! x
ReplyDeleteTo be honest i'm getting sick of the snow! Those photographs were taken back in November and we'd driven through a snowstorm to get to Pittsburgh, it seems to follow us. I know what you mean about old and new, luckily Pittsburgh is a city for working the two around each other.
DeleteThat looks like such a fun thing to do! I'd definitely opt for the incline ride over a walk anyway!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh the view from the top is cracking - I can imagine that it is fast enough when you're watching that steep slope below you! x
ReplyDeleteLovely! That view is lovely. I'm sure I've seen this on TV before. Do you live in the US now or bob back and forth?
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the forums - I'm following you now =)
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
sounds like I need to wander over to Pittsburgh one of these days. Seriously though, if you are a train geek, I can not recommend enough that you take a ride on either the California Zephyr or Empire Builder. Both routes are chock full of railroad history. Both routes have gate guardians along the way. Both routes are chock full of beautiful scenery and are a way to see the country.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to head over to Washington DC on the train, it's a shame you have to go through Chicago to head everywhere. We did travel to Chicago over on the Amtrak that was a great visit.
DeleteYou don't necessarily have to head over to Chicago to do that. You could catch the train in Toledo or take a bus down there. You would be getting on the train about 11 at night though, versus 6 at night in Chicago. The Capital Limited to DC is pretty neat. The Lake Shore Limited back from New York is pretty neat too. But like I said, you really have to do the Empire Builder or California Zephyr.
DeleteI really like the pictures. We're planning a trip to Pittsburgh in March or April and I'm already making a list of things to do.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great city to visit, i'll let you know of some places that you might be interested through your own blog!
Deletelooks like a great view!! thanks so much for your advice over on my blog - it's all going to come in handy!
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