 It contained 5 planes ascending from Carbondale to the summit at Rix's Gap in the Moosic Mountains, and three planes on the descent to Honesdale where the railroad terminated at the D&H Canal.Each ascending plane was powered by a stationary steam engine which lifted the loaded cars to a "level" which was graded slightly to allow the loaded cars to roll by gravity to the foot of the next plane.In the opposite direction, the empty cars were towed by horses.