Re: Incline

Hi,

FYI, an incline transfers one (1) car (loaded or unloaded) at a time up the mountain while the second platform (like a double track) with a car acting like a counter weight comes down.

This is in PA and is probably what's left of the old State RR and Canal line from Philly to Pittsburg. Tne state of PA built owned the line. Anyone with a car and mules could use the line for a fee (much like today's highways). People would ride trains from Philly across the divide top the Susquehanna river and then by canal boat up river to the mountains where incline planes took river boats (they would come apart in sections) over to the next water shed.

This public railroad/canal boat idea came at the end of the Canal era. The State road was used by the Private Pennsylvania Railroad and was eventually purchased by the PRR. Much of the PRR was built on or expanded over the canals and the tow paths.

FYI - sorry it is not NG. What sort of gauge is a water canal?

One incline plane in New York State carried 4' 3" gauge equipment up the mountain from the D&H. It was built by the Otis Elevator company and was called the Otis Elevating Railroad. Check the American Narrow Gauge book by Hilton about this network of 4' 3" railroads.

Doug vV