Loading Page...

How steep is the incline railway?

Q: How steep is The Incline Railway? A: Near the top there is a 72.7% grade, making The Incline one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.



The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is world-famous for being one of the steepest passenger railways in existence, featuring a breathtaking maximum grade of 72.7%. Known as "America's Most Amazing Mile," the track climbs nearly straight up the side of the mountain, providing a high-fidelity thrill that feels more like a vertical ascent than a traditional train ride. The trolley-style cars are specially engineered with tiered seating so that passengers remain level even as the car tilts to extreme angles. This "High-Fidelity" engineering marvel, which has been in operation since 1895, is a National Historic Site and a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. As you reach the top station, which sits at an elevation of 2,100 feet, you are treated to a panoramic, high-fidelity view of the Tennessee Valley and the Great Smoky Mountains. The 72.7% incline makes it a bucket-list experience for rail enthusiasts and thrill-seekers visiting the American South in 2026.

People Also Ask

The Lickey Incline, south of Birmingham, is the steepest sustained main-line railway incline in Great Britain. The climb is a gradient of 1 in 37.7 (2.65% or 26.5‰ or 1.52°) for a continuous distance of two miles (3.2 km).

MORE DETAILS

Around 11-20% is considered moderate and gradients above 20% are considered ?steep?.

MORE DETAILS

Saluda Grade is the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States. Owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway as part of its W Line, Saluda Grade in Polk County, North Carolina, gains 606 feet (185 m) in elevation in less than three miles between Melros and Saluda. It's maximum grade is 4.9%.

MORE DETAILS

Discover the thrill of a 52° (128%) incline in open terrain riding the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Scenic Railway.

MORE DETAILS

Pricing: 2023 One-Day rate $3.10/All ages (3+ years old) and kids 2 and under are free. 2023 All Day rate $7.08. All ages (3+ years), kids 2 and under are free.

MORE DETAILS