Mount Beacon Incline Railway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mount Beacon Incline Railway
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Incline railway route seen from Beacon in 2006
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| Location | Beacon / Town of Fishkill, New York, USA |
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| Built | 1902 |
| MPS | Hudson Highlands MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001151 |
| Added to NRHP | 1982 |
The Mount Beacon Incline Railway was a special kind of train that went up Beacon Mountain near Beacon, New York. It was like a giant outdoor elevator! This railway was a very popular place for tourists. It ran for most of the 1900s. People loved riding it to see amazing views of the Hudson River Valley. Today, people are working hard to bring it back.
Contents
Riding the Mount Beacon Incline Railway
How the Railway Worked
The Otis Elevator Company and Mohawk Construction built this railway. It opened on Memorial Day in 1902. The tracks were 2,200 feet long. This was a "narrow gauge" railway, meaning the tracks were closer together than regular trains.
In its first year, 60,000 tickets were sold. Twenty years later, that number almost doubled! The railway took people up to the top of the mountain. The mountain summit was 1,540 feet high.
A Steep and Exciting Ride
The railway was very steep. The average slope was 65%, which is about 33 degrees. At its steepest point, it was 74% (36.5 degrees). This made it the steepest railway of its kind when it was running.
Who Rode the Railway?
Many riders were day visitors from New York City. They would travel up the Hudson River by steamboat to Newburgh. Then, they took the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry across the river.
After that, a trolley took them to the railway's base station. This station was on Wolcott Avenue, which is now NY 9D. From there, the incline railway carried them to the top.
Fun at the Top of Beacon Mountain
Attractions and Views
The railway was built to bring tourists to other fun places. The people who built the railway also created attractions at the top of the mountain. From the summit, you could see amazing views for 75 miles!
These views and the natural setting were a big draw. They encouraged tourists to visit the attractions. These included the Beaconcrest Hotel, a Casino, and a private cottage community.
Popularity and Challenges
By 1926, the hotel and casino were ready. That year was a huge success, with 110,000 passengers riding to the top.
However, a fire damaged both the hotel and casino the next year. They were rebuilt quickly. But this event marked a turning point for the railway. The Great Depression and World War II followed, which made tourism slow down.
Why the Railway Closed
Over time, people started using cars more. This changed how they traveled for fun. The old ways of getting to Beacon, like steamboats and trolleys, became less popular. Because of this, the railway never got back its earlier popularity.
The railway faced money problems and more fires. It became hard to keep the railway and the attractions in good shape. In 1978, the railway stopped running.
Legacy and Future
In 1982, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it was recognized as an important historical site.
Sadly, another fire happened in 1983. This fire destroyed the tracks and the lower station. The last building at the top, the powerhouse, was also removed. Even today, you can still see the railway's route from many parts of the city.
A group called the Mount Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society is working hard. They want to rebuild the railway and bring it back to life!
Images for kids
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From a 1907 post card
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The railway's two cars passing each other in this circa 1905 postcard
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Derelict track at the former lower station
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Abandoned powerhouse at the former casino
