Westmont in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Johnstown Incline
1891
Regional Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
1. Johnstown Incline Marker
The official name is Johnstown Inclined Plane. The ASME marker number is 180, not the "RL" number on the plaque.
This is one of several, similar inclines built in western Pennsylvania during the late nineteenth century. It was designed by Samuel Diescher (1839-1915) after the great flood of 1889, to provide an efficient means of transportation between Westmont and the Conemaugh Valley.
The Johnstown Incline is among the world's steepest vehicular inclines, with a 71 percent grade. Its length is 896.5 feet. The incline saved more than 4,000 lives in the flood of 1936.
Erected 1994 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Man-Made Features • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 40° 19.523′ N, 78° 55.722′ W. Marker is in Westmont, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is on Edgehill Drive, 0.2 miles south of Erie Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the inside north wall of the docking area
via Wikipedia, unknown
2. Johnstown Inclined Plane
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Johnstown Flood (a few steps from this marker); Calamity and Prosperity (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Johns Street Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flood Prevention (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pennsylvania Railroad Stone Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Johnstown Flood (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Success Story (approx. 0.4 miles away).
Regarding Johnstown Incline. There is a small free parking lot in Johnstown at the wide pedestrian bridge to the base station of the Johnstown Inclined Plane. Boarding the Inclined Plane requires purchasing a ticket (round trip or one way). Tickets can be purchased at either the base or summit stations. Bikes are permitted and easily wheeled onto the cars. The two cars of the inclined plane are at either end of a cable/pully system and thus counter-balance each other.
Also see . . .
1. Johnstown Inclined Plane
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
3. Technical Information
This technical information board is on the same wall as the marker.
2. Johnstown Inclined Plane. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
3. Landmarks - Johnstown Incline. American Society of Mechanical Engineers website entry (Submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
4. Johnstown Incline Station
Edgehill Drive. The marker cannot be seen in this picture. It is on the inside north wall at the left edge in this view. The marker is over the bench occupied by waiting patrons in the picture.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
5. Johnstown Inclined Plane National Register of Historic Places Plaque
On the inside south wall, opposite the marker.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
6. Souvenir Shop Entrance and Historic Landmark Plaque
At the edge of the inside south wall at the streetside docking area. The door leads to the gift shop which includes a window to the machinery room with the machines labeled, however the mesh glass of the window greatly diminishes camera picture quality.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
7. Rehabilitation Plaque
This rehabilitation 1983-1984 plaque is just below the Historic Landmark plaque.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
8. Johnstown Inclined Plane Car
The lower station, the other car roof, and the pedestrian/loading bridge from the free parking to the lower station, can all be seen at the very bottom of this picture, towards the right.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
9. Johnstown Inclined Plane Operator Booth
With do not disturb sign on door. The operator is stationary, at the upper station, not on the cars.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, August 22, 2014
10. Johnstown Inclined Plane Operator Booth and Car
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 2. submitted on May 20, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 4, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 10. submitted on September 5, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
