Johnstown Inclined Plane (Funicular) in Westmont, PA at Johnstown, PA

(Satellite, 2080 photos!)

Johnstown was hemmed in by the mountains, which restricted the growth of the steel industry. To provide more room for homes for employees, Cambria Iron Company, a predecessor of Bethlehem, opened this incline on Jun 1, 1891. "For over 40 years it served as a safe and sure link to the community situated on the rim of the hill overlooking Johnstown. Because of the convenience and access to the heart of the business district, it was directly responsible for Westmont becoming one of the nation's earliest residential suburbs." [JohnstownPA]

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Close-up view of the Inclined Plane, looking from Downtown Johnstown towards Westmont Borough in 1950. This historic transit facility travels upward on a 71% grade to 1693. At 5 feet above sea levelm, 38-ton cars are pulled by a 2" cable, 1175 feet long, and tested to 396,000 pounds, wound on a 16 foot diameter drum driven by 400 HP electric motor. 85-pound steel rails are supported by 720 wolmanized ties-12" x 12" x 14'. There are 45 Steel girders on 16 cement pilasters. The Inclined Plane contains 50.4 tons of U.S. made steel and is lit by 114 sodium lights. The Inclined Plane was built in 1890 and was historically restored in 1984. The owner is the Cambria County Transit Authority. 

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
The Johnstown Inclined Plane was built after the Johnstown flood of 1889. The Inclined Plane's original purpose was to connect Downtown with the higher grounds of Westmont Borough in order to develop that area residentially. During Johnstown's two other floods in 1936 and 1977, the Incline became a lifesaver, helping people to escape downtown as well as to ship supplies into the valley. In its heyday, the Incline carried approximately 1,000,000 passengers a year to and from the downtown area. This was largely due to the Steel Mills that were in operation. The Johnstown Inclined Plane is the steepest vehicular incline in the world, meaning its 30' cars, which are large enough to hold 60 people, 6 motorcycles, or a vehicle, travel at the steepest grade for cars their size.
(Text from http://www.inclinedplane.org/)

 

Ditch Light Productions posted

Eastbound Norfolk Southern Manifest traversing the Pittsburgh Line through Johnstown, PA.

This was a shot that I’ve been wanting to check off my list for a while. It was inspired by a shot Dan Davis got of an eastbound Pennsylvanian.

@topfans

Dennis DeBruler: And a nice view of the inclined plane.

This photo shows how the mills were shoehorned between the hills and the river and why the town had to grow on top of a hill. Although this incline went up the hill that is out-of-frame to the left.

Aaron M. Vedock posted
Johnstown, PA - photo taken in December 2019
Viktor Mácha: And some pictures from the inside:
https://www.viktormacha.com/galerie/gautier-steel-johnstown-305/

At one vehicle per trip, it is going to take a while to work through this queue.

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Cars waiting to travel up the Incline Plane from Downtown Johnstown to Westmont on December 21, 1960.
(Photo from Marlin Miller via https://www.facebook.com/groups/2227082563)

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Engineering drawings of cars used on the Johnstown Inclined Plane. The Johnstown Inclined Plane was built after the Johnstown flood of 1889. The Inclined Plane's original purpose was to connect Downtown with the higher grounds of Westmont Borough in order to develop that area residentially. 
(Photo from https://www.facebook.com/theJAHA/) 

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Facts about the Inclined Plane in Johnstown. This historic transit facility travels upward on a 71% grade to 1693.5 feet above sea level. 38-ton cars are pulled by 2" cable, 1175 feet long, tested to 396,000 pounds, wound on 16 foot diameter drum driven by 400 HP electric motor. 85-pound steel rails supported by 720 wolmanized ties-12" x 12" x 14'. 45 Steel girders on 16 cement pilasters. Contains 50.4 tons of U.S. made steel. 114 sodium lights. Built in 1890. Historically restored in 1984. Owner: Cambria County Transit Authority.

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Johnstown Incline Plane in 1926. The Incline Plane is 985 feet high according to this vintage postcard. 

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
Interior view of the building housing the drive wheel and cables for the Inclined Plane in Johnstown.

Originally, it was steam powered.

1 of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation
The inside of the Engine Room at the Johnstown Incline Plane around 1910.
(Photo from http://johnstownhistory.blogspot.com/)

Shyanne Templeton (Shyshy), Nov 2020

InclinedPlane
It was closed in Feb 2022 for rehabilitation. It is expected (as of Jan 2023) to open in late Spring, 2023. [It had been rebuilt in 1983. [pabook]]

More of the 48 images shared by James Smith in an album by Jackson-Township historical preservation.

a
Cambria Incline Plane from Downtown Johnstown in 1908.

b
Old postcard showing the Incline Plane from Downtown Johnstown looking towards Westmont in 1912.

c
Scene from the top of the Inclined Plane in Johnstown.

d
James Lehman: A good view of the lower level of a car. It must have been small.
Don Wirick: James Lehman it held 12 passengers.

The lower room was removed rather soon because 12 extra passengers was not significant.

e
Beautiful fall colors surround the world famous Johnstown Incline Plane looking up from Downtown Johnstown towards Westmont in Cambria County in the 1960's.

Phil Jadlowiec posted
Sharing from another person