Johnstown Inclined Plane, Historic funicular in Johnstown, United States
Johnstown Inclined Plane is a historic funicular in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, carrying passengers along a steep hillside between downtown and the residential neighborhoods uphill. The track runs over a single near-vertical section, with cars gliding on steel cables along rails.
Samuel Diescher designed the installation in 1891 to connect the city with the mining areas and provide an escape route during floods. After the great flood of 1889, the line served as an evacuation path for residents in the lower neighborhoods.
The name refers to the former mining town where residents relied on the steep track to reach their homes uphill. Today locals and visitors ride the cars to cross the elevation difference and enjoy the view from the station.
The installation remains closed until 2024 for rehabilitation work, while the online shop continues to offer souvenirs. Visitors can view the external structure and the elevation change from the street.
The two cars travel simultaneously in opposite directions, balancing each other through a cable counterweight system. The mechanics are visible from the visitor center, showing the interplay of cables and pulleys.
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