Duquesne Incline (Upper Station), Pittsburgh (must see)

The Duquesne Incline is a type of railway system located close to the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It runs up Mount Washington in the city.

Initially powered by steam upon its completion in 1877, the purpose of the Duquesne Incline was to transport goods up and down Mount Washington during the late 19th century. Over time, it began to transport passengers, particularly residents of Mount Washington who found walking up the steep footpaths to be tiresome. Similar inclines were constructed across Mount Washington during this period. However, as more roads were built on the hill, most of these other inclines were shut down. By the late 1960s, only the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline remained operational.

In 1962, the Duquesne Incline was shut down, seemingly for good. It required significant repairs, but with few passengers, the private owners of the incline took little action. However, residents of Duquesne Heights initiated a fundraising campaign to support the incline's restoration. The campaign was highly successful, and on July 1, 1963, the incline reopened under the management of a non-profit organization committed to its preservation.

Since then, the Duquesne Incline has undergone extensive refurbishment. The cars have been restored to reveal their original wooden design after removing layers of paint. Additionally, an observation deck was constructed at the top, providing visitors with a panoramic view of Pittsburgh's "Golden Triangle." Today, the Duquesne Incline is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.