This was an engineering marvel and popular tourist attraction back at the dawn of
the Twentieth Century.
The Mount Beacon Incline Railway
It was considered quite amazing in its day. It had an average gradient of 64+% and a maximum of 74% near the summit. The track way was 2200 feet (670.56 m) in length and ascended to a height of 1540 feet (569.4 m) above sea level.
I rode the railway in the summer of 76 with the woman who was soon to become my first (and favorite) wife. We were one of only three paying passengers. The ride took a bit under five minutes and was quite breathtaking. Operations ceased in 1978 and a suspicious fire completely destroyed the track way, buildings and the two railway cars (which had been parked side by side halfway up the mountain in a futile attempt to escape vandalism) in 1983. The Mount Beacon Incline Railway Society hopes to rebuild the railroad and restore service by 2013, the centennial of the City of Beacon. I wish them well.
*edit* Rare film from 1902 of the railway in operation.
Wed had several days of rain and I hadnt been feeing at all well for a week or so but the final Thursday in July was sunny, bright and beautiful so I set out to hike to the top of Mount Beacon. Im glad that I did. It was a glorious day. The path was flanked by
countless wild Blackberry bushes. I barely needed to drink any of the water Id brought I snacked (well, gorged) on the luscious berries throughout the afternoon.
The remains of the railway powerhouse at the top of Mount Beacon
Im 63 This wheel is taller
It was a very hazy day but the view was quite spectacular. There are many miles of trails along the ridges throughout the area. I plan to go back.
The only other sunny day that week was Saturday. I took the train to Manhattan and walked another East River Bridge.
The Queensboro (or 59th Street) Bridge recently celebrated its 100th birthday construction began in July of 1901 and the double decked cantilevered bridge was completed and opened in March of 1909. The total length of the bridge, including approaches, is 7449 feet (2270.4 m). There are three spans the longest is 1182 ft (360.3 m).
That was the last time I went out until today. A combination of respiratory distress and depression kept me out of action for nearly a couple of weeks. The allergens and toxins that were being generated by the mold really got to me. We totally disinfected the entire place and filled it with toxic levels of ozone for several hours. My environment seems to be a bit healthier now. Ive been doing a lot of sleeping and recuperating. Im fine now, rested and ready to get back out and enjoy the rest of the summer. I hope that you are doing the same.
View from atop Mount Beacon
the Twentieth Century.
The Mount Beacon Incline Railway
It was considered quite amazing in its day. It had an average gradient of 64+% and a maximum of 74% near the summit. The track way was 2200 feet (670.56 m) in length and ascended to a height of 1540 feet (569.4 m) above sea level.
I rode the railway in the summer of 76 with the woman who was soon to become my first (and favorite) wife. We were one of only three paying passengers. The ride took a bit under five minutes and was quite breathtaking. Operations ceased in 1978 and a suspicious fire completely destroyed the track way, buildings and the two railway cars (which had been parked side by side halfway up the mountain in a futile attempt to escape vandalism) in 1983. The Mount Beacon Incline Railway Society hopes to rebuild the railroad and restore service by 2013, the centennial of the City of Beacon. I wish them well.
*edit* Rare film from 1902 of the railway in operation.
Wed had several days of rain and I hadnt been feeing at all well for a week or so but the final Thursday in July was sunny, bright and beautiful so I set out to hike to the top of Mount Beacon. Im glad that I did. It was a glorious day. The path was flanked by
countless wild Blackberry bushes. I barely needed to drink any of the water Id brought I snacked (well, gorged) on the luscious berries throughout the afternoon.
The remains of the railway powerhouse at the top of Mount BeaconIm 63 This wheel is tallerIt was a very hazy day but the view was quite spectacular. There are many miles of trails along the ridges throughout the area. I plan to go back.
The only other sunny day that week was Saturday. I took the train to Manhattan and walked another East River Bridge.
The Queensboro (or 59th Street) Bridge recently celebrated its 100th birthday construction began in July of 1901 and the double decked cantilevered bridge was completed and opened in March of 1909. The total length of the bridge, including approaches, is 7449 feet (2270.4 m). There are three spans the longest is 1182 ft (360.3 m).
That was the last time I went out until today. A combination of respiratory distress and depression kept me out of action for nearly a couple of weeks. The allergens and toxins that were being generated by the mold really got to me. We totally disinfected the entire place and filled it with toxic levels of ozone for several hours. My environment seems to be a bit healthier now. Ive been doing a lot of sleeping and recuperating. Im fine now, rested and ready to get back out and enjoy the rest of the summer. I hope that you are doing the same.
View from atop Mount BeaconVIEW 22 of 22 COMMENTS
Hope you're out "enjoying the last of the summer" over there... where has the year gone!? I was just walkingbhome and seing leaves on the ground and realising how late in the year it has suddenly got... it always seems to sneak up on me!
have fun over there