2012-04 Pennsylvania

I visited a supplier in Franklin PA, which is located about 75 miles north of Pittsburgh.  This was my first time in Pennsylvania, and I did not realize how hilly this portion of Pennsylvania was.  It is a very pretty country.  The area around Franklin was where the first US oil wells were drilled (think Quaker State and Pennzoil).  Being from the Midwest, where everything is relative "new" in terms of history, I enjoyed seeing the old courthouse and civil war (or the great war of the rebellion) memorial statues in the adjacent park.

On the way back to the Pittsburgh airport, I had an extra hour, so I decided to take a ride on the Duquesne (pronounced Dukane) Incline Railway.  The incline is about 30° and starts at the river and goes to the top of Mount Washington.  It was built in 1877 and is located just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh. 



The ride up and the view from the top is incredible.  You can see Heinz Field (Steelers), PNC Park (Pirates) and the whole of downtown from the top.

Pittsburgh is at the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers (remember 3 Rivers Stadium?).  I was surprised how many bridges I could see crossing the river, and many of them were painted yellow.

The incline railway consists of 2 cars connected by a steel cable to each other (to keep the load in balance) and to a large wheel which winds and unwinds to pull the cars up or let them go down (thanks to gravity).  Even though the track is built at 30°, the cars are built horizontal so you sit level when inside the cars.  The large drive wheel has wooden teeth and is adjusted by a series of shims to keep the gear round.