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Nicholas, Here's a quote from "Jersey Central Lines in Color" by Wm J Brennan, pub by Morning Sun Books: "The trackage that would become an important segment of the Pennsylvania Division of the Jersey Central was originally constructed by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co to connect its canal operation at White Haven with the markets in the Wilkes Barre area. The Penobscot and Blue Mountains presented a barrier to the construction of a through rail route that, at the time, was insurmountable, so a series of three succesive double-tracked inclined planes, planned as a portage for canal boats were constructed in 1843. The 2.47 mile long system, which was ultimately used to move railroad cars exclusively, featured cable drawn "barney" cars to move the rolling stock. Each plane was powered by a 1200hp vertical steam engine with two cyclinders having a 40 inch bore and 49 inch stroke driving cable drums 22 feet in diameteer around which were wound 2 1/2 inch diameter wire ropes. In 1866-67, a rail route was constructed aroound the mountains to permit some traffic to bypass the planes. At Ashley, 3.3 miles east of Wilkes Barre, this line began a steep ascent up Blue Mountain to Solomons Gap, gailning 1014 feet of elevation in 12.5 miles. During the steam years, only light engine moves, empty freight cars, passenger trains, and local freights used this route, which was known as the "Back Track", with loaded merchandise cars making the climb via the Planes.The CNJ never saw fit to build large articulated locomotives like the B&O, and to lesser extent, the Reading, so the cable system proved to be the most viable alternative until the four unit diesel sets emerged after WWII." "The diesel years finally brought complete mainline operation to the Jersey Central's "back track" between Solomons Gap and Ashley.. As a postscript to the Ashley Planes, the railroad announced in its 1953 annual report that it sold three cinder banks from the planes for a total of $20,842 to buyers in the New York City area and other locations and consequent rail shipping revenues brought the total to over $280,000. The "Big Little Railroad" could be admired for ots thrift on seeking out revenues from unexpected sources." No photos of the Planes are shown in this book, but there are a couple in "The Reading Railroad: History of a Coal Age Empire, Vol II" by James L. Holton, published by Garrigues House. If I think of some other sources (and I'm sure there are some) I'll post them here. Hope that helps. Jim.
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