CINCINNATI TRANSIT

INCLINE RAILWAYS

The hilly terrain of Cincinnati resulted in the construction of five incline railways between 1872 and 1892. These inclines were an important part of the early horse car and streetcar routes, and some inclines actually transported the streetcars up and down the hills, as part of the streetcar routes. But over the years, as new streets were constructed, and streetcar routes were revised, the inclines became less necessary. And the last incline was closed down in 1948.

At the bottom of each incline, a streetcar route from downtown Cincinnati generally connected with the incline. And streetcar routes might continue away from downtown, at the top of the incline.

MT. AUBURN INCLINE

Opened by Cincinnati Inclined Plane Railway in 1872, connecting with Mt. Auburn Street Railroad's Main Street horse car line. Horse car line leased in 1873 and acquired in 1885 by Cincinnati Inclined Plane Railway. Horse car line extended in 1878 from top of incline, and incline rebuilt to transport horse cars. Horse car line electrified in 1889. Cincinnati Inclined Plane Railway sold in 1898 to Cincinnati Street Railway, and incline closed down, with Main Street streetcars rerouted via Vine Street.

PRICE HILL INCLINE

Opened by William Price in 1874, connecting with Storrs & Sedamsville Street Railroad's horse car line on 8th Street, which opened in 1878, and in 1880 was merged into Cincinnati Street Railway. Incline remained independently operated by Price Hill Inclined Plane Railroad Co. Horse car line constructed in 1884 from top of incline by Rees McDuffie, a Price Hill Inclined Plane Railroad Co. executive, and sold in 1885 to Cincinnati Street Railway. Transfers were handled between streetcars and incline, but in 1890's, a new streetcar segment to the north was opened, bypassing incline. Incline closed down in 1943.

BELLEVUE INCLINE

Opened by Cincinnati & Clifton Inclined Plane Railroad in 1876, sold in 1880 to Cincinnati Street Railway. Incline connected with Cincinnati Street Railway's McMicken horse car line, which opened in 1881. Cincinnati & Clifton Inclined Plane Railroad also operated horse car line on Ohio Street from top of incline. Incline rebuilt in 1890 to accommodate streetcars. Incline closed down in 1926.

MT. ADAMS INCLINE

Opened by Mt. Adams & Eden Park Inclined Railway in 1876. In 1877, company opened connecting horse car line from downtown Cincinnati via 5th Street to bottom of incline. In 1878, company opened connecting horse car line from top of incline into Eden Park. And in 1880, incline modified to transport streetcars, enabling formation of through streetcar route. Sold in 1896 to Cincinnati Street Railway. Was Cincinnati's last incline, closing down in 1948, having transportated buses in its final year.

FAIRVIEW INCLINE

Opened by Cincinnati Street Railway in 1892, as part of new Fairview streetcar route. Incline closed down in 1923, after completion of new road and streetcar route around hill.

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