Inclined Plane

The Morris Canal used inclined planes for large changes in elevation. The canal boats sailed onto a cradle car and then a chain would pull them on tracks up the hill to the higher elevation. The chain was pulled by a huge turbine operated by water power. A plane tender lived nearby to work the plane whenever a boat came through.

The plane at Port Colden, named Plane #6 W, was located on what is now known as Morris Canal Trail. It had a rise in elevation of 50 feet. It was unusual because it was one of only three double-tracked planes. Also, it was the first plane on the Morris Canal to change from chains to steel rope to pull the boats. This happened after there were two serious accidents in which the chain broke and several people were killed.