70 likes | 212 Views
The Inclined Plane. By: kierstyn reddecliff. History of the inclined plane…. It was built in 1889 after the Johnstown flood. It was built as a connection between downtown Johnstown and Westmont. It was built by the Cambia Iron Company. It cost an estimated $133,296 to build.
E N D
The Inclined Plane By: kierstynreddecliff
History of the inclined plane… • It was built in 1889 after the Johnstown flood. • It was built as a connection between downtown Johnstown and Westmont. • It was built by the Cambia Iron Company. • It cost an estimated $133,296 to build. • It became a ‘lifesaver’ during the 1936 and 1977 floods. • Carried people away from the downtown flood waters and helped carry supplies up and down. • Carried approximately 4,000 men, women and children to safety.
About the inclined plane… • Constructed on 896.5 foot runway with a 71% grade. • It has two sets of tracks. • Track is 867.1 feet long and 1693..5 feet above sea level. • Made of standard railroad equitment. • Lifted by 3 two inch steel cables that are 1,130 feet long. • They can pull 335,000 pounds!! • They are pulled by a 400 horsepower electric motor.
About the cars… • They are constructed so they will ride level, not on a slant. • Each car can hold 15 tons. • The dimensions are 15 feet 6 inches wide by 33 feet 11 inches long. • They weigh 92 tons each.
So who owns the inclined? • Bethlem Steel owned it because they built it. • Bethlem Steel owned it until 1935 where they then sold it to the Westmont Borough for $1.00. • Then in 1978, Westmont sold the Inclined to the Cambria Country Transit Authority for $1.00. • They own it to this day.
Attractions near the inclined plane… • There is a visitor center near that tells of the history of the Inclined Plane. It has a little shop that sells like penny items. (Eraser, pencils, candy, etc.) • City View is a restaurant beside the Inclined Plane. • There is the Hillside Ice Cream Shoppee. • Also, there is a Observation Deck with a great view of Johnstown.