The receiving platform at the top of the incline railway is under construction. The lift was first used to carry men and materials during the construction of Diablo Dam, which was completed in 1929. Beginning in 1937, supplies for construction of Ross Dam were brought by train to the foot of Diablo Dam. Then, the laden cars were brought up on the lift to the upper level, loaded on barges , and taken up Diablo Lake to the new dam site.