There was a groove made in the circumference of the wheels, to keep the cable from slipping off upon one side. Such wheels are called pulleys. Here there was another inclined plane, and the train was let down slowly, by a stationary engine and a long cable, just as it had been drawn up at Albany. The locomotive was left at the top of the hill. At the foot of the hill they fastened horses to each one of the cars of the train, and drew them separately into Schenectady.
Inclined planes are a source of great inconvenience upon a railroad.
They make a great many changes and delays necessary. Still, there are some places where they can not well be avoided, though in this case, as has already been said, a new and more level route has been found, by which the ascent and descent that Marco and Forester passed over are now saved. As Forester and Marco were sitting upon their seats in the car, just before they reached the inclined plane, the conductor came climbing along the side and looking in at the window to take their tickets. The conductor, however, did not come in at the door. He only looked in at the window, and when he had got the tickets, he climbed along to the next car.