Riding the Historic Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh, PA

[tobyeo]

The most exciting thing in Pittsburgh ... Elevators

[patricknedz]

I think this was originally here so people can get to work, did you get pictures from up there? I will have to ride this when I go downtown again.

[thyssenelevator95]

I got a pic of Downtown Pittsburgh from up there.

[patricknedz]

can you send it on skype?

[thyssenelevator95]

Yes.

[patricknedz]

ok, will you be on tonight?

[georgef551]

Uhh...then again, if the track had teeth on it, they wouldn't be able to do down the track, would they? :) Although if it was the old Ellisia Otis design, feasable. That's to explain the "teeth" theory.

If it hasn't failed totally yet, it probably won't anytime soon.

[thyssenelevator95]

Otis I don't think made the incline. I am not sure who did. Also, I believe it has broken down one or twice in its 130 years of operation, but it is VERY reliable otherwise

[georgef551]

Once or twice in 130 years? Almost fail-proof!

[georgef551]

That is great! Enjoyed the virtual ride.

I still hate to think what would happen if the cable snapped, and the safeties failed.

[thyssenelevator95]

Thanks, but it is impossible for the safeties to fail, because the whole car is monitored and worked by an operator. Also, this car was re-roped many years ago (it may have originally had twine or hemp rope) and the ropes can hold 50 tons.

[georgef551]

Then again, doesn't the incline have "teeth" along the whole track, not just the end points? I didn't see them on the tracks where the stations were not.

[thyssenelevator95]

It has guide rails, and the cars are pulled up byt the ropes which go around a complex pulley system so the other car goes in the opposite direction. The only thing with teth (which are still wooded) are on the main drive wheel, which is in the video, "The InnerWorkings of the Duquesne Incline".

[maalit72]

Need for modernization!

[thyssenelevator95]

No. They have replaced things, but they want to keep it original. Many people travel on it every day and it almost never breaks down.