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The History of the
Ashley Planes
1843 – 1948
By Annie Bohlin
A rather lengthy article written
and researched by Annie Bohlin. We have separated it into five separate 'Word'
documents to make the download easier. Just click on each installment.
The History Of The Ashley Planes page 1 thru 13.pdf
The History Of The
Ashley Planes page 14 thru 27.pdf
The History Of The Ashley
Planes page 27 thru 39.pdf
The History Of The Ashley
Planes page 40 thru 44.pdf
The History Of The Ashley
Planes page 45 thru 48.pdf
Some pictures of the
Ashley Planes
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The Ashley Planes
The Ashley Planes was the first rail operated transportation service
to reside in the Mountain Top area.
 The
primary reason for its construction was to haul freight, primarly
coal, out
of the Wyoming Valley to the top of the Pennobscot mountain by way of a
rail and cable system. The incline was steep, about 10 percent, and
beyond the ability of a standard railroad locomotive. It was established
in 1843 and remained in service until 1948. The operation was composed
of three inclined planes, each about a
mile in length. They
ran south from Ashley, Pa, up through a mountain cut to the summit of
Solomon Cut located in Mountain Top. Here the cars were gathered in a
local fright yard and sent to White Haven and points south.
Please click on the small
pictures below to see a larger more viewable picture. |
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In this top of Plane #1 a
south view, the cable can be followed to the engine house. Note the
structural steel, that carry the steam piping to and from the Boiler
buildi ng to the enigine house
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A view of plane 3 from the bottom looking up toward Mountain Top.
In this view at Plane #3, on the right track, the barney is out of
the truck pit. Note the coal bank on the left, replaced the
tipple.
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This adjustable “Gauge Car” was used to check the gauge between the
track. A spit of paint would squirt out of the pressurized container
onto the rails when the car ran over a out-of-gauge section track.
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Junction point at Solomon Gap. Track to left comes from the Planes
#1 while the track straight ahead is the L&S ( later CNJ ) back
track. Note the cut of cars just coming around the hill at left. (
photo is taken from the Mary St bridge )
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The yard and roundhouse at the top of Penobscot mountain.
A early 1900’s Postcard view
of the Penobscot Yard Round House, looking north from the Graedale
crossing, the Penobscot Station is out of view to the right. |
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In this
early south view at Plane #3, a trip is being hoisted on the left track,
and on the right track, a trip of loaded cars awaits hoisting, the far
left track, a string of loaded cars are coming around a curve from the
tipple. |
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This north
view of Planes #2, with the boiler house on the right and the engine
house with water tank on the left. Note the level track in foreground
which leads to bottom of plane #1 |
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Power
Plant for Planes #1 with a hopper car of coal spotted for
consumption by the boilers for the stationary engine. In this view,
looking south, is the top of Plane #1. Notice Route 309 which is
just two lanes at this time.
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Bottom of Plane #1 looking up toward
Mountain Top. |
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Inside the engine house. |
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A typical barney car used to push the
rail cars to the top of the mountain. |
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Mike Zelinka at the top of plane 1. |
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Three coal cars going up plane 1. |
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