Forgotten Engineering Marvel - Now In Ruins

The Mahanoy Incline Plane was incredible engineering marvel for it's time. It was created to haul coal cars up the mountain to Frackville, Pennsylvania. 200 tons of coal could be pulled up at a time because of massive 6,000 horsepower steam engines.
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#mahanoyinclineplane #railroadhistory #engineering

[@dianacreamer9761]

It always amazes me how much was accomplished back in the 1800's. All the stone work. How many men did it take to bring in all those stones and create all the complicated foundations? Thanks for sharing.

[@OhPhuckYou]

Back when men were men. Now our society is in the exact same shape as this monolith; complete ruins.

[@mkervelegan]

They used child labor in this and every other coal operation in PA back then. My wife's grandfathers and many of friends' went into the breaker room or the mines before they were out of 6th grade.

[@michaelf6232]

@@mkervelegan back in those days child labor wasn't even a " thing" . But according to dumdasses similar to you think so. .......... sad.

[@aazhie]

@@michaelf6232 Victorian society had many terrible examples of children who worked in factories and mines. Charles Dickens wrote a lot about how mistreated children were as well as the poor, and he died in 1870. Up until 1836 in US a law was passed that under 15 couldn't work. So it was only a few decades since child labor was illegal. It was long "a thing" in society and when this was built it was actually a fairly novel concept of not using kids to get into tight spaces or reach into crushing machinery to yank material out of the gears. Children have long been used as very cheap or almost free labor, not just peacefully helping make food in their family farms.

[@leekeene5889]

@@michaelf6232 Well neither was child abuse or domestic violence. I understand it was all hands on deck to support and provide for the family. Kids dropped out of elementary to help in the fields/farms etc. A lot of it was good character building work, but lets not act like child exploitation and flat out abuse didn't exist. It did and still does regardless of how you choose to view it

[@cdd4248]

I don't know if I can keep watching this channel - seeing all these beautiful and interesting places so vandalized is just so sad.

[@TheFullmetalj]

The BEST documentary exploror channel, period!

[@ritupawar314]

I agree;)

[@b_shady_22]

Agreed ! 👊🏼💯

[@jillsmith633]

Agree too.

[@chevyrellstraightdropracin0603]

I definitely agree

[@chrisromero1103]

My Great Grand Parents were snatched out of Ellis island / Statue liberty and forced to work there back in 1850s. After getting off their oceon liner. That was the massive migration period when millions were brought over to build our huge Industrial age time ! GP were Italians. All those hundreds of ocean liners were actually slave ships. They cruised the oceans offering free passage to America . On board it was standing room only. The decks we're shoulder to shoulder. What a Hime it had to be.. True story.. Look it up ! Movies about it ! And there was no law and order or rights.. Every town or company had it's own system of Justice ! And in the winter.. as the people were cold and broke working for penny s.. If you got caught picking up a piece of coal to take home.. YOU WERE SHOT ON SITE !! Took long time to get order and human rights instilled.. No school for children.. THEY TOO HAD TO WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK 8-12 HRS.. THEN MY DAD was born.. He joined the army 1943. Went to Europe for ww2.. came back. Married my mom in 1953.. had us 8 kids.. God bless everyone

[@justintime41776]

I have always enjoyed history. You sir are doing it right.

[@zam55555]

I grew up in frackville, and played in these ruins for years. Was a great place to play army.

[@historydude4115]

I live about 45 minutes away and I never knew this abandoned place existed. The things you can discover in the mountains of PA. That’s why I love Pa and the history it’s full of.

[@fuzzybutkus3951]

Who laid down and who got blew up??

[@robertadams6606]

I spent the Summers in Mahanoy City. (mack a noy) called by some i usually went in the other direction towards Barnesville. But to do more exploring I remember lakes from mining that had coal equipment laying at the bottom( you could not see). They were deep but apparently when they hit water they would abandon the sites. These were on the other side of town & also on that side there was an East Mahanoy Tunnel that RBMN Railroad still uses that went under I-81 when it was built that has a huge door that could be closed (if necessary).

[@robertadams6606]

Sorry (mock a noy ) is the pronunciation I heard most by locals. Not angry just saying.

[@sparklingdestiny5444]

Welcome to the coalcracker region. I live about 30 minutes away and every area pronounces each area/town differently. Lots to explore in Northeastern PA. Keep up the great work.

[@historydude4115]

Same here, I live 45 minutes away. There is so much to explore and ‘rediscover’ in Pa.

[@zam55555]

Those 2 box cars are from the 70,s. The were full of oxidite. A company worked out of there. The trucks had 2 tanks one would be full of fuel oil the other full of oxidite,the trucks would go to the strip mines in the area and as they pumed the stuff down a pre drilled hole it would mix and be a very powerful explosive.

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

The inclined plane railroad transported coal from the Mahanoy Valley up the Broad Mountain to Frackville. Opened in 1862 as part of the Reading Railroad system, improvements in the early 20th century increased its size and capacity, making it an engineering marvel able to meet national demands. After hoisting hundreds of millions of tons of coal, it closed in 1932. How and or why those 70's era rail cars ended up there is anyone's guess.

[@tcwhite0104]

Those box cars are not from the 70’s they are actually from the late 20’s to early 30’s

[@heavenbounddaughter1125]

Very interesting explortion. I used to do this sort of thing with my Dad. He's gone now and my legs are not what they used to be so thanks for this video.

[@InfamousCrimeLocations]

Wow this is incredible. It's amazing that over a hundred years ago, they built such ingenious technology.

[@journeywithjay]

It definitely is mind blowing

[@here_we_go_again2571]

The Victorians were some of the most inquisitive, dynamic people of history. It is as if a switch was thrown once steampower was invented. Earlier, with sail and water power things were progressing. But until steampower, people were limited to muscle (animal and human) power and water power -- Just as the Babylonians and Romans were limited.

[@bigwoz78]

You guys certainly have some of the best abandoned places there on the East Coast.

[@jamesplymire5342]

The East Coast is the oldest coast. Lots of really old history.

[@johnsiders7819]

Wonderful how the diverse urban culture marks up every thing with what they call art !

[@mandybentley2641]

Those ruts also show the width of those wagons and how little they would hold. I loved this video!

[@ictrains9731]

Steel 50' boxcars where not used until late 60's, so property was used late than 1932. The Coal Cars where pulled by a cable system that was powered by a stationary steam engine using pulleys. Coal Temples used cable system to move cars even on flat yards up though the 60's in some coal regions.

[@SinCityRaider81]

You are a great teacher you research, film, photograph, edit, narrate, travel and many other things I appreciate your passion and work ethic.

[@MaXStephen]

always good to see you hanging with Journey with Jay!

[@journeywithjay]

Thanks!!!

[@Vinjerrylee]

Always great vids...especially when you show orginal pics

[@ritupawar314]

Yeah I absolutely love that too 😍

[@intercityrailpal]

You are one of the more informed tour guides. Wish I was with you for my opinions and input.

[@MidwestSirenProductions]

As a next-generation mechanical engineer, places like this make me sad. We ought to preserve our mechanical heritage instead of just moving on, because if that’s all we do, then we’ll have nothing to look back upon, sans a few photographs and decaying ruins. The Anthracite area in PA was a hub for places like this. I remember seeing videos of the old St. Nicholas and Huber collieries; some with very in-depth analysis quite like this on how they operated. Now they’re al gone. It just breaks my heart to see such fine machines and locations with hundreds of thousands of man hours put in just razed. All this aside, thank you for making this great content. I love learning about old places like this (and seeing the urbexing too!). Keep up the great work!

[@journeywithjay]

St Nicholas was one of my favorite explores to this day. Unfortunately at the time I was only into photography and never filmed the inside. But I do still have my pictures and memories.

[@jimmybritt9537]

It would be an explorer's playground in the summer , i've never seen coal underground before . Be careful man when you were at the cave in it was making me have that feeling on the back of my neck 😨🤣👍👍🇺🇸

[@abbysapples1225]

I love your work and I love when you guys come to Pennsylvania my home state. Much love and God bless. Stay safe and healthy. Both of you. ❤️🙂✝️

[@matthewbrown2037]

Somehow I've only recently discovered your channel, and within the space of two videos, decided you were worth subscribing to, and have since watched many of your previous videos back to back, in an effort to catch up, and have enjoyed every one. Good work my friend, with many fascinating and historical places visited, showcasing much of the amazing industrial and social history of your great nation, and nicely presented too. Hopefully, there are many more to come! Wishing you all the best from the UK.

[@Matt-uh8ju]

This is only about 10 minutes up the grade from me. Really cool place, I was back there once or twice.

[@stevenm3141]

Amazing those cars have been sitting there for all the years!

[@mariaevans7811]

I Look forward every week, all the way, from Coventry England!!!!! to your videos, you let me travel with you, so far away, you are great!!!!!! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Mdrailer1]

That boxcar with the doors on the end was an old automobile caring boxcar. They would stand the car up inside them. That is a rare find for sure.

[@irishgrl]

I’m always amazed at the amount of background info you always share about these places you visit! Thank you!

[@joannesanford7845]

I love your videos but I always breathe a sigh of relief when you safely exit a dangerous area like an old mine that has many collapses.

[@TheBinoyVudi]

Your videos are just superbly well put together , loaded with a ton of information for the curious minds like myself who cannot travel as much these days.

[@kennethreiver985]

I go through that area every year on interstate 81 traveling to Hershey Pa . Never knew the history of the area Thanks

[@historydude4115]

I like 45 minutes from this place, and about 10 minutes from Hershey. I too never knew about this awesome place. 👍

[@scout2nut]

A good chance that during WWII there was such a push for metal that may have been what striped all the metals from that site

[@kristinamarie8105]

Always enjoy your videos. Love how you give as much history as you can. I live in PA so this is pretty awesome for me to see this. It's also great to see Jay with you I miss his videos.

[@journeywithjay]

Awww thanks im working on getting mine out there

[@mike9657]

Love the videos. Always learn somethin'!

[@ILLinois7024]

Thanks & hello from Plano, Illinois

[@TOM2RN]

Great video. I am continuously in awe of technology from the past. Just imagine all the effort behind the design and building. Too bad no one left a written legacy of their time their. Keep putting out the videos and ignore the trolls.

[@willymanee]

whoever graffitied xanarchy doesnt deserve to visit places like this

[@ScientificSolutions]

Even the pyramids of Egypt have ancient graffiti on them (quite interesting at that). Maybe in a thousand years the graffiti on this site will be more interesting?

[@donc9751]

They've mostly moved to Seattle and Portland now and are working on active businesses these days. Tearing up and destroying older history nust of got too tame for them, much more lively when mad business owners come running out of their burning buildings. They don't deserve to live there either. Seems like places that happens the law would lock them up but the mayor's and DA's in those cities can't bail them out fast enough.

[@RaccoonNation]

Maybe it’s not a drug reference.. maybe the aerosol artist is in anarchy rehab and the xanarchy means X-anarchy

[@davidangelamelcher9591]

You know Greece and Rome are really missing out on true art by denying taggers access to the Acropolis and the Coliseum.

[@dr.zacharysmith1207]

🖕🏻🖕🏼🖕🏿

[@theone2be33]

It is completely insane and boggles my mind the amount of engineering there was so long ago with minimal resources they had. I really think they were far more advanced then we are today with all our modern technology and equipment

[@theone2be33]

@@awesomeone2979 I was waiting for someone to reply to my comment. You're the first one!

[@danielscott1040]

@@awesomeone2979 you’re right. This technology involved an inclined plane and steam power. Absolutely well within engineering knowledge of the time.

[@harryphillips2638]

Stumbled across your channel today and I must say that I’m impressed. Subscribe button has been hit!!! Looking forward to watching all of your videos!

[@gregorymotta6628]

Can’t imagine the time and manpower it took to create such an enormous structure. And yes the power it took to take those fully loaded boxcars up and down the mountainside. Would be great to go back in time to see it in operation. Thanks for another great story in American history Chris, and thanks Jay for sharing it so it’s story could be told 👍

[@willynthepoorboys2]

That was an interesting slice of history.

[@JMVideos7676]

Another great video showcasing the ingenuity and brilliance of people in an earlier time. How sad that such an extraordinary engineering feat developed by many intelligent, educated and dedicated people is now covered with graffiti by some of the dumbest, least educated and most unnecessary people in our society.

[@Ganiscol]

While I agree that tags and smears like that are stupid, it really doesnt matter enough at this place to bust a vein over. These crumbling ruins are whats left after 90 years and in another 90 there wont be anything left to see, so these graffiti dont matter in the grand picture... I get really mad when it happens at places that are somewhat actively being preserved or are still in a condition to be preserved.

[@JMVideos7676]

@@Ganiscol Look up "The Broken Window Theory" and report back to us.

[@MustTilk]

@@JMVideos7676 Graffiti is as old as mankind. Look up graffiti in Pompeii for example. You can't eradicate it. Rather have it scribbled on some old abandoned, neglected, beyond repair and hidden away building than something that is actually taken care of.

[@johnsiders7819]

Our wonderful diverse urban culture

[@crazyoffdabudsac]

maybe you are not intelligent enough for graffitti

[@danpurcell9764]

Thank you for taking us on your journey's

[@wildstar365]

This place is only about one hour from my house! Watched a few of your videos, love em, couldn’t believe you were near me with this one! There is endless coal industry ruins around this area! I have visited a lot of them and yet had never heard of the Incline Plane!!! Always something new to learn, thank you and keep the history coming!

[@historydude4115]

Same here, I live 45 minutes away end never knew about this great place. The things to discover in Pa.

[@patmccamy4126]

You go to such interesting places!!!!! I really enjoy the work you do on these videos!! I will be joining Patreon here next week when I get paid!!! Thanks so much!!! Pat

[@johnmason5574]

Thank you for doing these videos, you go to places I can't. Keep them coming. I really enjoy them.

[@kimdads9261]

Great video guys keep up the great work thanks for taking us all with you

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Ive benn to the gravity switch back remains in Jim Thoroe / Mauch Chunk, PA, but I never knew about this one, very coo video thanks!

[@organrick]

I didn’t know it was there either. I used to spend the night there when I would travel down 81 on the way to my sister’s.

[@historydude4115]

There is so much to learn and discover in this area, I didn’t know about this place either.

[@EATSLEEPDRIVE2002]

these are awesome sets of ruins, dude. Over here in NJ, I’ve been checking about ruins of the Morris canal’s inclined planes, which were powered by a scotch water reaction turbine instead of steam. they basically operated on the same principle, except instead of train cars they hauled canal boats from a lower section of canal, uphill to the upper section of canal

[@paulleatso9618]

Impressive to see what mother nature has hide and people have forgotten. Very impressive

[@sallymay3643]

If I was a kid & we knew about a place like that that we could get 2 u couldn't keep us out of playing in it. I was about 8 me & 2 of my sisters & some neighborhood kids found a pond with a huge drain pipe so we went in & followed it till we found rebar steps we claimed up waited till a few cars passed then 3 of us pushed off a man hole cover & came up 2 blocks from our house. Summer time was great 4 kids in the 70s out doors was our play pen. We would come home dirty hungry eat lunch then go back out side & play.

[@kimberlyj3711]

I have been binge watching your videos and staying up to 2 am, so addicting to see your travels. So cool to follow you video's and find one you just uploaded yesterday. Stay safe out there, some of your explorations don't look too safe.

[@RusticVentures]

Awesome video and good job with the history recall! :-) One of my favorite ruins so far in PA...there's a lot :-) Good to see Jay with you. Thumbs up!

[@journeywithjay]

Glad you liked it

[@liverquiver4]

I Like All Your Work. Glad to see you exploring my area. I'm From Southwester PA Learned alot from you in the past and now something from my area I knew nothing about. THANK YOU

[@meranberwyck7775]

That was wonderful, a piece of history no one sees.

[@mannyc215]

It’s amazing to see history right in front of you, thanks to KZbin your making history alive again...... Good work buddy keep them videos coming.....🙂

[@mnwoodshop3877]

I love history.The stories those rocks and foundations could tell if they could talk.

[@chrisstetson3115]

Watch channel randomly but more often now, you go so many places I'd love to see, but not having health anymore to do so have Copd,watching you brings new life too me

[@rubbabubba6489]

Love your work. Thanks

[@scottgeorge4760]

Amazing video ! , I live in Oregon myself and was fascinated by this video .

[@jimsoutdooradventures2748]

Wow,that was an amazing explore. That place must have been pretty cool while in operation. Thanks as always for the adventure 😃

[@whodatmatt4498]

Very cool video. Keep up the good work!

[@bsage5514]

This was such an interesting location and explore. Your filming skills REALLY shine thru on this one with all of the rough terrain, HUGE shout out to Journey with Jay for sharing this location so all of us could tag along!!! Thank you for the explore! 🔦🔦🔦

[@journeywithjay]

Thanks sage!!

[@davidfox5827]

Heck Yeah! Another awesome tour!!

[@cafdnw]

Cool abandoned place!! Thanks for sharing 👍🏻❤️✌🏻

[@barbsnyder3579]

So interesting. I was there when I was young to explore with my family. My brother in law's family lives there. It has really deteriorated since last I was there. Thank you for sharing.😊

[@tonybutler8811]

I really enjoyed this, many thanks 🇬🇧

[@livescript4462]

Thank you so much for the work you give us

[@rosemariemckinley7326]

Thank you for sharing. I never knew about this at all. Please take care of yourself.

[@juliemaloney6585]

Great vid and great work

[@rhettd4585]

"Nature finds a way" very cool! I love seeing this places!

[@dannybiddinger]

I’m always amazed at what you find! a big thumbs up 👍. I think you’re the best explorer on youtube Good job.keep up the good work!!!

[@Locoandchooch]

Cool find. I imagine there’s a few places like this in Pennsylvania.

[@LeslieLove]

You find the most interesting places..

[@dvk1895]

This place is unreal! Great video

[@mikefitchNYC1971]

Awesome exploration

[@TheGrover1968]

They used a similar method for logging in the mountains of California. I'm thinking of Yosemite Valley railway. Logging cars pulled up a steep grades via steam mule cable system.

[@butchMoreOrLess]

Hey man, you are so awesome! You hit on everything I love in old forgotten history. I was just wondering when you were here in Washington state, ..I'm from Aberdeen, did you ever look into the old train wreck left in Grisdale WA. The wreck is what's left of a movie stunt, crashing into a ravine. Everything including the engine is there as far as I know, you can find pictures on google. The movie was called 'Ring of Fire' staring David Janson in 1961. Love your stuff and have been sitting for hours watching one after another. Be careful out there.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Chris, the construction was very good for it's day, that's when people built things to last and withhold the test of time. A very interesting place, but I agree that the best time to go would be Fall and Winter because of the foliage. Thank you for sharing, much love. xx 🙏💖

[@ls6-ss413]

Great explore man. Stay safe 👊🏼

[@rhettd4585]

Being also named Loretta, I randomly started sing "Coal Miners Daughter" by Loretta Lynn because of this video. LOL

[@galaxy7176]

Really enjoyed the video,especially when it involves railroading.Keep up the good work!👍

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Cool video! I love stuff like this! Interesting history!👌😎👍

[@vsanchez7158]

I needed this video today. ❤️❤️❤️

[@kathycagg6531]

Loved the stalactites & stalagmites! Thanks!

[@three6ohchris]

"those people that get a tummy ache and get upset because I don't know how to pronounce every name of every place I go to..." 😂😂🤣🤣😂🤣 Good Lord those people need hobbies.

[@crowznest438]

This was super fun to watch!

[@tomlin7863]

Like your channel shows history that many have forgotten, and you hardly see in history books, thanks

[@Tinaf653]

It’s heartbreaking to see graffiti. I can’t help but wonder if these vandals think “Oh, a historical relic.... I think I’ll grab my spray paint and ruin it for anyone visiting.”

[@scottgeorge4760]

I don't remember back in the 80's Ever packing spray paint for any thing especially hiking around . The biggest thing anyone packed was a coat and latter on you were packing it around as the sun was warm out .

[@samanthab1923]

Scott George Right? It's shameful when I see some places out in the middle of no where with spray paint on the rocks!

[@scottgeorge4760]

@@samanthab1923 I can't stand it either. A lot of back roads are a favorite to dump trash as well .

[@samanthab1923]

Scott George Oh makes me crazy.

[@norselore3091]

I'm a transient, i live in a vehicle and I've noticed that in towns and areas that are 90+% Anglo you hardly see any grafiti, but placea that are ethnically diverse you see graffiti everywhere.

[@R118GSiVVC]

Very interesting Chris!

[@musicfromtheheart646]

One of the best virtual tour guide on KZbin I have seen

[@mididriss7147]

What a great time watching this video thanks again

[@brendakrieger7000]

Cool explore

[@AllPistonsGarage]

Another great video!

[@jamesbruce1183]

If coal was hauled up the mountain for the town then the coal dropped into those stone bins could be unloaded into trucks via the chutes with the steel doors in the bottom of the bin. The immobilized railcars with the chutes attached were probably also used for coal storage.

[@simonstillborn4951]

Collapsed mine and collapsed tunnel, Dude you are stressing me out.

[@brsrc759]

Man that place is amazing!

[@kevinrice4909]

Something like that near Cresson PA for hauling River barge's up the mountain... my dad took me there sixty some year's ago.... hahaha

[@EvilBraTT]

"It's pretty dark in here", flashlight please!

[@Hammy1TV]

It's interesting how nature is reclaiming the land and trees are growing everywhere in the ruins.

[@Sunnybrook69]

You are up in my neck of the woods. Such a shame taggers make a mess of historical sites.

[@ElementofKindness]

If you're ever back in Pennsylvania, and want to explore a whole mess of history outside Gallitzen, where multiple means of transportation through the Allegheny mountains occurred throughout the last couple hundred years. There's tons of evidence that still remains, and I haven't even explored it all yet. Just give me a shout if interested.