Duquesne Incline: The Historical Essence of America's Steel City

The second largest city in Pennsylvania, USA, is Pittsburgh. On Mount Washington along the river in the downtown area, there is a wooden cable car line called the Duquesne Incline. This ancient cable car line was built in 1877 and has two tracks, 250 meters long and 125 meters high. The red-painted wooden cable cars climb the mountain at a 30-degree angle, swaying as they go. For over 140 years, it has continuously transported tourists to the observation deck at the top of the mountain. The cable car station at the foot of the mountain is built next to a main street with heavy and fast traffic. The station is right next to the street, and back in 1877, there were no cars. Karl Benz from Germany invented the first car in 1886. Imagine if you were riding a horse-drawn carriage slowly; it wouldn't be a problem for the station to be built next to the street. Now, there is no parking lot next to the station. You have to park at a paid parking lot by the river and then walk across a pedestrian bridge to reach the station. The cable car station has an antique charm. Tickets are $2.50 for a one-way trip and $5.00 for a round trip, cash only. A plainly dressed girl sells the tickets, and an elderly man with a full beard guides tourists on and off the cable car. The interior of the cable car is entirely made of wood, with wooden decorations. The ceiling features intricate carvings and a kerosene lamp, exuding a strong sense of nostalgia. Currently, there are only four such ancient mountain cable cars left in the United States. It takes about five minutes to reach the top station from the foot of the mountain. The station at the top is filled with photos from various eras, mostly black and white, documenting over a century of historical changes. A corridor leads to the observation deck, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers, with downtown Pittsburgh in full view. This observation deck is clearly the best spot to enjoy Pittsburgh's night view. To the left of the cable car station's entrance is a monument commemorating World War I. Next to the monument, a small iron gate leads to the observation deck. This is when I realized that you don't necessarily have to take the cable car; you can drive up and enjoy the observation deck for free. The address of the cable car station at the foot of the mountain is 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Note that the parking lot is across the street by the river and is a paid parking lot, with a fee of $8 for two hours. The cable car station has long operating hours, from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM.