view of the Duquesne Incline for railroads

Duquesne Incline

view of rails on incline

Pittsburgh’s unusual geography — with three rivers that conflate at different spots amidst steep hillsides — made it difficult for pedestrians to traverse. Starting in the 1870s, German immigrants started building funicular railcars to make getting around easier. Today only two of these remain, and the one featured here is the Duquesne Incline.

 

Built in 1877, the Duquesne Incline took workers in the factories and mills on the south bank of the Monongahela River up to Mount Washington, an area which became increasingly gentrified. Today wealthy homes and fancy restaurants overlook the rivers below — you can see the outlook known as “the Point” from the top of the Incline.

 

Included in my photos is a sign making certain that customers pay the exact amount in cash — and no baloney pleading will get you a passage, *do you understand*