VOA常速英语2007-Pittsburgh's Wooden Cable Cars Recall Yesteryear

By Ade Astuti and Nia Sutadi
Washington
01 October 2007
 

Nicknamed the Steel City because of its roots as the center of America's steel industry, today's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania does not look much like a gritty steel manufacturing town of yesteryear. But a piece of Pittsburgh's historic past is still an active part of the city today. For producers Ade Astuti and Nia Sutadi, VOA's Carla Coolman takes us for a ride on Pittsburgh's historic Duquesne Incline.

Many consider the view from Pittsburgh's Mount Washington breathtaking, and the best way to get to the top is via a ride on the Duquesne Incline.

Tom Reinheimer is with the Duquesne Incline explains, "The Duquesne Incline was named after a fort which was built here by the French in the 1700s, and they named it after the prime minister of Canada at that time and his last name (was) Duquesne."

Originally carrying cargo¹ up and down the mountain, the Duquesne Incline now transports passengers. "I love it!  It's incredible," says  tourist Roney Cosey. "I can't believe it - the rivers that connect it, it's gorgeous."

A museum of the city's history is housed in the upper station showcasing old photographs and information on inclines around the world.

People can look out at the Pittsburgh cityscape from an observation deck that hangs over the cliff.  "I love it," says tourist Alison Maloney. "I've been here (a) couple of times, just to make sure. [You] really like Pittsburgh more when you get to see it from up here."

To get there, riders take a step back in time - a very steep step - on a more than century-old wooden cable car.

Reinheimer tells the passengers of the Duquesne Incline, "We are 400 feet [120 meters] above the Ohio River and the track is 800 feet [240 meters] long, and it's pretty close to being a 30 degree angle." He says the machinery² that moves the incline along the slope has operated for more than 130 years, though electricity - not steam - powers the two passenger cars now.

But more than a tourist attraction, the Incline is an inexpensive way for some Pittsburghers to commute³ to their jobs.  "The residents can ride the Incline down to the bottom of the hill, where they can transfer to the bus," says Reinheimer.

While Pittsburgh once had 17 inclined planes, this incline is one of only two still in operation.

Designated as a historic landmark⁴, the Duquesne Incline is a unique way to get a glimpse into Pittsburgh's past while looking over the city's future.

1 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

2 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

3 commute   

vi.乘车上下班；vt.减(刑)；折合；n.上下班交通

参考例句：

• I spend much less time on my commute to work now.我现在工作的往返时间要节省好多。
• Most office workers commute from the suburbs.很多公司的职员都是从郊外来上班的。

4 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。