Steenke found the locks in the Morris Canal to be equally uneconomical, but one feature he saw there excited him ​ — inclined ramps, sloping stretches of track running overland, with rolling platforms designed to ferry ships cross - country between sections of the canal.
Steenke leidis, et Morrise kanali lüüsid on sama ebapraktilised, kuid Ameerikas olles nägi ta midagi, mis teda vaimustas. Need olid ratastega platvormid, mille peal sai laevu vedada kanalivahelistel lõikudel maismaale rajatud üleveoteesid mööda.