The Duquesne Incline () is a

funicular A funicular (, , ) is a type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The system is characterized by two counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite e ...

located near

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

's South Side neighborhood and scaling Mt. Washington in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsyl ...

, United States. Designed by Hungarian-American engineer

Samuel Diescher Samuel Diescher (June 25, 1839 – December 24, 1915) was a prominent Hungarian-American civil and mechanical engineer who had his career in the United States. After being educated at universities in Karlsruhe and Zurich in Europe, he immigrated ...

, the incline was completed in 1877. The lower station is in the Second Empire style. Together with the incline, which rises in height, at a 30-degree angle, it was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...

in 1975. The incline is unusual for having a track gauge standard used only in Finland, Russia, and Mongolia. Together with the Monongahela Incline, it is one of two passenger inclines still in operation on Pittsburgh's South Side. By 1977, the two had become tourist attractions and together served more than one million commuters and tourists annually. That year both inclines were designated as Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks by the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...

(ASME).

History

Originally steam powered, the Duquesne Incline was designed by

, a Hungarian-American civil engineer based in Pittsburgh, and completed in 1877. The incline is long, in height, and is inclined at a 30-degree angle. Its track gauge is , which is unusual for United States (but standard for Finland, Russia, and Mongolia. Diescher is known for having designed the majority of inclines in the United States, including several in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania, in addition to numerous other industrial and highway projects. The incline was intended 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 the steep footpaths to the top of the bluff. Inclines were being built all over Mt. Washington to serve working-class people who were forced out of the lowlying riverfront by industrial development. But as more roads were built in the twentieth century on “ Coal Hill”, as it was known, and automobile use increased, most of the other inclines were closed. By the end of the 1960s, only the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline remained in operation. In 1962, the Duquesne 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 restore 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 view of Pittsburgh's " Golden Triangle". The Duquesne Incline is now one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. In 1975 it was listed on the

. By 1977 the two remaining passenger inclines served more than one million commuters and tourists annually. That year both inclines were designated as Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks by the

(ASME).

Statistics

*Length: *Elevation: *Grade: 30 degrees *Gauge:

broad gauge A broad-gauge railway is a railway with a track gauge (the distance between the rails) broader than the used by standard-gauge railways. Broad gauge of , commonly known as Russian gauge, is the dominant track gauge in former Soviet Union (CIS ...

*Speed: *Passenger Capacity: 18 to 25 (one compartment) *Opened: May 20, 1877 *Renovated: 1888 (with steel structure) *Rebuilt: Original

steam power A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. The steam engine uses the force produced by steam pressure to push a piston back and forth inside a cylinder. This pushing force can be tr ...

replaced with electricity: 1935 *Renovated: Historic cars restored in 1970s

In popular culture

*The incline is featured in the opening scene of '' The Next Three Days'' (2010) trailer. The same scene is featured about halfway through the film. *It is also featured in the 1983 film ''

Flashdance ''Flashdance'' is a 1983 American romantic drama dance film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Jennifer Beals as a passionate young dancer who aspires to become a professional ballerina (Alex), alongside Michael Nouri playing her boyfriend ...

'', set in Pittsburgh. *In the 1987 movie '' Lady Beware'', the characters played by Diane Lane and Cotter Smith ride the incline. * The Duquesne Incline is a featured

landmark on Yinztagram.

Gallery

Duquesne Incline lower station.jpg, Lower building Ascending the Duquesne Incline.jpg, The view upward when ascending the incline Duquesne Incline interior.jpg, Interior view looking toward the Pittsburgh skyline Ticket counter and lobby of Duquesne Incline lower station.jpg, Lobby of the lower station Duquesne Incline lower station with incline car.jpg, Platform of the lower station

References

External links