CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A Chattanooga icon is making its long-awaited return.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway reopened this morning for a special preview ride, months after a fire brought operations to a halt.
This morning, CARTA held a special pre-opening ride on the newly restored Incline Railway, months after the lookout mountain fire shut it down in December of 2024.
Carta Executive Director Charles Frazier broke down to News 12 the extent of the damage that caused the incline to close.
“We lost over 1000 feet of rail over 200 railroad ties and then critically for the incline an entire mile of inch and a half cable which especially made to move our vehicles up and down the hill, so it was devastating”
Known as the “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” the Incline Railway has been carrying guests up and down the steepest passenger incline in North America since 1895, offering stunning views and a direct route to historic Civil War sites.
We caught up with Matthew Higgins, Director of Lookout Mountain Incline Railway about what this reopening means to him.
“It’s been a long time coming. I’m just excited to start meeting new people on a daily basis and it was every day. We knew that you had to more or less work on something that you really really wanted to get back up and running”
CARTA has spent the last seven months working with engineers and safety experts to not only restore the damage but also modernize key systems while preserving the railway’s historic charm.
With the new addition of a cooling station and plans to add a water pipe, this will help to prevent potential future fire outbreaks.
This ceremonial pre-opening ride celebrates the resilience of the landmark and those who brought it back to life.
The Incline Railway officially reopens to the public July 14th with tickets going on sale this Saturday, just in time for the busy summer season.
