WIP · World in Pocket

Johnstown Inclined Plane

Westmont, Italy

Johnstown Inclined Plane

The Johnstown Inclined Plane is a funicular in Johnstown, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, U.S. The incline and its two stations connect the city of Johnstown, situated in a valley at the confluence of the Stonycreek and the Little Conemaugh rivers, to the borough of Westmont on Yoder Hill. Designed by

Hungarian-American engineer Samuel Diescher, it was completed in 1891 following the Johnstown Flood two years prior. The funicular was intended to serve as an escape route during floods—a purpose it served during the Johnstown floods of 1936 and 1977—as well as a convenient mode of transportation for residents atop Yoder Hill. With a grade of approximately 72%, it holds the Guinness World Record as the steepest vehicular funicular in the world. The incline is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The funicular consists of two cars running on parallel tracks, which travel an 896.5-foot-long (273.3 m) route and ascend 502.5 feet (153.2 m) vertically, making the journey in 90 seconds. The cars are open to the elements, with an enclosed seating area, and can carry both passengers and automobiles. The cables connecting...

Listen to the audio guide for Johnstown Inclined Plane Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off

Nearby