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Originally [[steam powered]], the Duquesne Incline was built to carry cargo up and down Mt. Washington in the late 19th century. It later carried passengers, particularly Mt. Washington residents who were tired of walking up footpaths to the top. Inclines were then being built all over Mt. Washington. But as more roads were built on “[[Mount Washington (Pittsburgh)|Coal Hill]]” most of the other inclines were closed. By the end of the 1960s, only the [[Monongahela Incline]] and the Duquesne Incline remained.
Originally [[steam powered]], the Duquesne Incline was built to carry cargo up and down Mt. Washington in the late 19th century. It later carried passengers, particularly Mt. Washington residents who were tired of walking up footpaths to the top. Inclines were then being built all over Mt. Washington. But as more roads were built on “[[Mount Washington (Pittsburgh)|Coal Hill]]” most of the other inclines were closed. By the end of the 1960s, only the [[Monongahela Incline]] and the Duquesne Incline remained.


In 1962, the incline was closed, apparently for good. Major repairs were needed, and with so few patrons, the incline's private owners did little. But local [[Duquesne Heights (Pittsburgh)|Duquesne Heights']] residents launched a fund-raiser to help the incline. It was a huge success, and on July 1, 1963, the incline reopened under the auspices of a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation.
In 1962, the incline was closed, apparently for good. Major repairs were needed, and with so few patrons, the incline's private owners did little. But local [[Duquesne Heights (Pittsburgh)|Duquesne Heights]] residents launched a fund-raiser to help the incline. It was a huge success, and on July 1, 1963, the incline reopened under the auspices of a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation.


The incline has since been totally refurbished. The cars, built by the [[J. G. Brill and Company]] of Philadelphia, have been stripped of paint to reveal the original wood. An observation deck was added at the top affording a magnificent view of Pittsburgh's "[[Downtown Pittsburgh|Golden Triangle]]", and the Duquesne Incline is now one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.
The incline has since been totally refurbished. The cars, built by the [[J. G. Brill and Company]] of Philadelphia, have been stripped of paint to reveal the original wood. An observation deck was added at the top affording a magnificent view of Pittsburgh's "[[Downtown Pittsburgh|Golden Triangle]]", and the Duquesne Incline is now one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

Revision as of 20:07, 20 March 2014

Duquesne Incline
Overview
HeadquartersPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LocalePittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Dates of operation1877–present
Technical
Track gauge[[Russian gauge|60]]
Length800 feet (244 m)
Other
Websiteduquesneincline.org
Duquesne Incline
Duquesne Incline is located in Pennsylvania
Duquesne Incline
Location1220 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Built1877
Architectural styleSecond Empire, Other, T pattern
NRHP reference No.75001609[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 4, 1975

The Duquesne Incline (/djuːˈkeɪn/ dew-KAYN) is an inclined plane railroad, or funicular, located near Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood and scaling Mt. Washington. Designed by Samuel Diescher, the incline was completed in 1877 and is 800 feet (244 m) long, 400 feet (122 m) in height, and is inclined at a 30 degree angle. It is an unusual [[Russian gauge|60]] broad gauge.[2]

History

Originally steam powered, the Duquesne Incline was built to carry cargo up and down Mt. Washington in the late 19th century. It later carried passengers, particularly Mt. Washington residents who were tired of walking up footpaths to the top. Inclines were then being built all over Mt. Washington. But as more roads were built on “Coal Hill” most of the other inclines were closed. By the end of the 1960s, only the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline remained.

In 1962, the incline was closed, apparently for good. Major repairs were needed, and with so few patrons, the incline's private owners did little. But local Duquesne Heights residents launched a fund-raiser to help the incline. It was a huge success, and on July 1, 1963, the incline reopened under the auspices of a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation.

The incline has since been totally refurbished. The cars, built by the J. G. Brill and Company of Philadelphia, have been stripped of paint to reveal the original wood. An observation deck was added at the top affording a magnificent view of Pittsburgh's "Golden Triangle", and the Duquesne Incline is now one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

  • The incline is featured in the opening scene of the The Next Three Days trailer. The same scene is featured about halfway through the film.
  • It is also featured in the 1983 film Flashdance.
  • In the 1987 movie, "Lady Beware", Diane Lane and her boyfriend, Cotter Smith, ride the incline.
  • The Duquesne Incline is a featured Pittsburgh landmark on Yinztagram.[3]
  • Lower building
    Lower building
  • A view of one of the incline's cars
    A view of one of the incline's cars
  • A wide view of the same car
    A wide view of the same car
  • A view looking uphill
    A view looking uphill

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-05-21.
  3. ^ "Yinztagram By Pegula". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 2012. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
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