Existing comment:
The Engine House of Inclined Plane No. 6 was typical of all of those operated on the ten planes of the Allegheny Portage Railroad.
Inside, all that could be seen sticking up through the ground floor, were the tops of two stationary steam engines (one working and one as backup) and the continuous rope moving over the tops of a large pair of vertical sheaves (wheels).
In the basement, was the bulk of the 35 horsepower steam engines and the pair of 8-1/2 foot diameter vertical sheaves working with more machinery -- three coal-fed boilers for each steam engine, an adjustable horizontal sheave (wheel) to keep the rope taut, and a water cylinder brake for good measure -- all working to move the cars up and down the incline. |