Imagine climbing a mountainside aboard a historic cable railway so steep that it was designed to carry automobiles. In Pennsylvania, one remarkable incline rises at a 70.9 percent grade, offering sweeping views of the city and river valley below.
After years of extensive repairs, the landmark has finally reopened to passengers. Its massive steel cables, counterbalancing cars, and century-old engineering concept are back in action, with complimentary passenger rides available through the end of the year.
I love how this attraction combines an unusual transportation experience with a genuine piece of local history. It originally helped connect neighborhoods after a devastating flood and later played an important role during other emergencies.
Although automobile transport pauses during the colder months, visitors can still ride the incline, explore its hilltop surroundings, and enjoy the scenery.
The Cars Are Rolling Again, And The Wait Was Worth It
Good news travels fast in western Pennsylvania, and this one was big. The Johnstown Inclined Plane is carrying passengers again after a long, careful restoration.
That changed with the official reopening on September 10, 2026. To celebrate the return of the historic attraction, CamTran is offering free passenger rides through December 31, 2026.
The extended complimentary admission gives families several months to experience the restored incline and enjoy its views without purchasing a ticket. The regular fare schedule is expected to apply after the promotional period ends.
Free is a pretty great price for a ride on a piece of 1891 engineering. It also gave plenty of local families a chance to come back and say hello to an old friend.
The restoration focused on keeping the incline safe and running smoothly for years to come. The goal wasn’t to turn it into something new, but to keep its classic character working well.
So the cars still look like they belong to another century. The difference is everything underneath has been given fresh attention.
If you tried to visit during the closure and left disappointed, now’s your moment. Plan around the current schedule, because the incline doesn’t run every day of the week.
Right now, it opens Thursday through Sunday, starting at 11 AM. Monday through Wednesday, the cars take a well-earned rest.
Yes, Your Car Can Ride Along Too
Most inclines carry passengers. This one was also designed to transport automobiles, making it one of the most unusual hillside transportation systems in the world.
The Johnstown Inclined Plane climbs at a remarkable 70.9 percent grade. Its specially designed cars have separate areas for passengers and vehicles, allowing both to travel along the steep hillside.
However, automobile transportation is seasonal. According to the attraction’s official website, vehicles are not permitted beginning November 1, and that service will resume when the incline reopens for vehicle operations in the spring.
When vehicle transport is available, the incline accommodates standard passenger cars, including sedans, coupes, compact crossovers, and certain smaller SUVs. Full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, and fully electric passenger vehicles are not permitted.
Visitors can still experience the historic incline as passengers during the colder months. Leashed dogs are welcome, and bicycles are also permitted under the attraction’s operating rules.
The ability to carry cars remains an extraordinary part of the incline’s history, even when visitors must leave their own vehicles parked before boarding.
Built After A Flood To Help A City Rise Up
History buffs, this part is for you. The incline was born out of hard times in 1889.
That year, the Great Flood swept through Johnstown and changed the city forever. Afterward, many families wanted homes on higher ground, safely above the river valley.
The Cambria Iron Company stepped in with a clever plan. It built the incline to connect the downtown area with a new hilltop community called Westmont.
The Johnstown Inclined Plane opened in 1891. Suddenly, a trip that took real effort became a quick ride up the hill.
The incline proved its value again during later floods in 1936 and 1977. During those emergencies, it helped move people up and out of the rising water.
The incline has also been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a strong reminder of how the city rebuilt and kept moving forward.
When you ride it, you’re following the same path that workers and families used generations ago. I believe that makes a simple trip up the hill feel surprisingly meaningful.
Gearheads, The Machine Room Is Your Happy Place
Two cars, one cable, and a whole lot of muscle. That’s the basic recipe that keeps the incline running.
The two cars are linked and balance each other. As one rises, the other comes down, a bit like a giant seesaw stretched along a hillside.
Up at the top station, a huge drum turns to wind and unwind the thick steel cable. Visitors can view the machinery and watch the system do its work.
The cable alone is worth a look. It measures about two inches thick, which makes your garden hose seem kind of sad.
Kids who love trains, trucks, or anything with gears will probably park themselves at the window. Adults tend to stare just as long, though they might pretend they’re checking the time.
Watching the drum turn helps the whole ride make sense. You see the power that pulls those heavy cars up such a wild slope.
Engineers might enjoy noticing how simple the idea is at its core. Counterweights and cables have been solving tough problems for a very long time.
Take a few minutes here before or after your ride. It turns a fun trip into a mini science lesson, minus the homework.
The View From The Top Will Fill Your Camera Roll
Bring a charged phone, because the scenery up here is the star. From the top of the Johnstown Inclined Plane, the whole city spreads out below you.
The observation deck gives you a wide look at downtown, the rivers, and the green hills of Pennsylvania. On a clear day, it feels like you can see every rooftop in town.
Fall is an especially pretty time to visit. The surrounding hillsides turn shades of red, orange, and gold, which makes every photo look like a postcard.
The ride itself also offers great views. Since the cars move at a calm pace, you have time to snap pictures on the way up and down.
Want my advice? Ride one direction facing the city and the other facing the hill, so you catch both angles.
The deck is a nice spot to linger, too. You can point out landmarks, spot the bridges, and figure out where you parked.
Sunsets here can be gorgeous, depending on the weather. Just remember the evening hours vary by day, so check before you go.
Either way, the payoff is big for very little effort. You didn’t have to climb a single step to earn this view, and that’s a win.
Night Rides Turn The City Into A Light Show
After dark, the whole mood changes. The city lights flicker on below, and the hillside becomes one of the best seats in town.
The incline operates Thursday and Sunday from 11 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, with additional operating hours possible for special events.
That late schedule makes it a handy date night idea. A ride, a view, and a sparkling city sounds a lot better than another night on the couch.
Families can enjoy evening trips too, especially on weekends. Kids get a thrill out of riding a hillside railway when the sky is dark.
Bring a light jacket for the deck, since hilltop breezes can feel cooler at night. Pennsylvania evenings can surprise you, especially in spring and fall.
Photos at night take a little patience. Hold your phone steady, lean on the railing, and let the camera soak in the glow.
The rides run on a regular schedule, roughly every 15 minutes. So if you miss one car, you won’t be waiting forever.
Honestly, seeing the incline both day and night is the full experience. It almost feels like two different attractions in one spot.
Snacks, Souvenirs, And A Sneaky Lesson Or Two
Hungry after all that riding? Well, technically you sat the whole time, but views can work up an appetite.
The upper station houses a visitor center where you can grab snacks between trips. It’s an easy spot to recharge before heading back down the hill.
The gift shop is a fun stop for small keepsakes. Think classic souvenirs that remind you of road trips from childhood.
A little memento makes sense here. After all, how many people can say they rode one of the steepest vehicle inclines on the planet?
The visitor center also shares stories about the incline and the city around it. You can learn how the railway connected neighborhoods and helped residents through tough times.
Friendly, knowledgeable staff help make the visit easy to enjoy. If you have questions about the ride or its past, it’s worth asking.
There’s also an eatery at the summit, which pairs nicely with the scenery. Check ahead for its hours, since they may differ from the ride schedule.
Plan to spend some extra time at the top. Between snacks, shopping, and soaking up the view, a quick ride can easily turn into an afternoon.
Finding Your Way To The Top Of Edgehill Drive
Getting there is half the fun, especially since you have two ways to start. You can begin at the bottom near downtown or at the top in Westmont.
The upper station sits at 711 Edgehill Dr, Johnstown, PA 15905. That’s a good address to plug into your GPS if you’d rather start with the view.
Starting at the top is simple for many visitors. You can park, explore the station, and then ride down and back up.
Starting at the bottom has its own charm. You get to watch the city shrink away as you climb, which feels pretty dramatic.
Parking near the lower station can take a little hunting. Give yourself a few extra minutes so you’re not rushing to catch a car.
Remember the schedule before you head out. The Johnstown Inclined Plane runs Thursday through Sunday, opening at 11 AM.
Hours can shift with seasons or special events. A quick check before you leave can save you from staring at a quiet track.
The location is easy to fit into a larger road trip across western Pennsylvania. It’s a short, memorable stop that won’t eat up your entire day.
Make A Day Of It With Johnstown’s Other Treasures
One ride is great, but this city has more stories to tell. The Johnstown Inclined Plane fits nicely into a full day of exploring.
Head downtown to the Johnstown Flood Museum to learn more about the 1889 flood. It adds a lot of meaning to the incline’s history once you understand what came before.
The Johnstown Flood National Memorial sits outside the city, too. It’s a peaceful spot that explains the event from the site of the old dam.
Love inclines now? You’re in luck, because Pennsylvania has a few more worth a visit.
Pittsburgh is home to the Duquesne and Monongahela inclines. Riding those after Johnstown makes for a fun comparison, though this one is steeper.
Outdoor fans can look for nearby trails around the hilltop area. Some mountain bikers ride down and use the incline to haul their bikes back up.
Those trails can be technical, so beginners should pick their routes carefully. Know your skill level before rolling downhill.
However you plan it, the incline makes a great centerpiece. It’s historic, scenic, and freshly restored, which is a pretty solid trio for one hillside.
