Johnstown Inclined Plane reopens, giving mountain bikers a 500 ft downhill uplift

# What reopened and why it matters September 10, 2026, after a rehabilitation project that began when the funicular closed in 2020. Operated by the Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran), the inclined plane needed substantial repairs because of its age and historic construction. The rehabilitation took longer than planned due to the facility's historic condition, COVID-era delays, supply chain and foundry issues, and additional engineering work identified during the project.

# What the funicular is and what it offers riders A funicular or inclined plane is a cable railway on a steep slope using two counterbalanced cars on parallel tracks. The Johnstown structure has a 70.9% grade, which CamTran and reporting describe as the steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world. For mountain bikers the ride provides roughly 500 feet of vertical relief, functioning as an uplift to reach downhill trails on the hill below.

The trail network below the inclined plane consists of 14 trails totaling about four miles. Most trails descend directly down the steep hillside and are categorized either "downhill only" or "downhill primary." Expect mostly short descents — the system drops about 500 feet — with one longer route and several short technical sections:

• J-Line: the longest trail, about three-quarters of a mile, with repeated switchbacks.
• Five advanced "janky tech" trails: these are short, some only around 200 feet, and serve as technical segments rather than long descents.

Riders should plan a short pedal in and out of the actual drop-off and pick-up points. The trails sit just south of the incline, so there's a small commute between the riding and the funicular.

# History and context The inclined plane was constructed after the 1889 flood that devastated Johnstown. Work began in 1890 and the funicular opened in 1891. Historically the funicular has also served as an evacuation and transport asset during later floods, including events in 1936 and 1977.

# Why the reopening took years CamTran said the project required more time than expected because of the historic nature of the facility and a chain of practical obstacles: pandemic-related interruptions, supply-chain problems, foundry closures for parts, and unexpected engineering issues found during work. The agency emphasized safety and regulatory review, delaying reopening until components and systems met inspection standards.

# Cost and trial riding period

# What riders should know before going

# Bottom line Plane is back in operation and again offers a unique mechanical shuttle to downhill-oriented trails. Riders seeking short, steep descents and a distinctive uplift experience should plan for brief commutes to trailheads and pick a route based on technical difficulty.