“All aboard” the conductor enthusiastically welcomed the crowd out of the rain and into the shelter of the purple cog railway train car. We were very ready to board. After over an hour drive we has arrived just in time to miss our scheduled 1:30 train ride. Which left us attempting to catch the next one at 2:30. We had waited over 45 minutes outside in the wind and light drizzle. It only took about 15 minutes to go through the museum, gift shop and restaurant inside the visitors center. The girls munched on penny candy while I ate a few NECCO wafers. The entire experience made me reminisce on that summer in the late 90’s, when my parents decided we would do mini trips across new England instead of one big vacation.
Inside the Cog Railway Train Car
It is one of the most memorable summers of my childhood visiting Mt.Washington, the Man on the Mountain, the flume, and Ruggles Mine. Having settled back in New Hampshire unexpectedly, I now hope to revisit these spots with my husband, a California native, and share a piece of my history with him.
We let our friends with children take the front seats and sat in the second row and listened to the train operator/tour guide describe the railway. The cog has been around since 1869 and is believed to be the world’s first mountain climbing cog railway. It was funded and created by Sylvester Marsh whom believed he could create an easier way to get up the mountain after hiking it himself in 1852. He was widely mocked by state legislators and beyond for the suggestion that he could build a railway that would support the steep grade up the mountain. Even though they thought his idea was impossible they still approved his attempt to try. After fronting $5,000 of his own money to get construction off the ground his project started in May 1866 and it was finished in 1869.
View of Mount Washington while going down the tracks from the top.
Today the cog railway is a multi-million-dollar business owned by two private families and continues to operate spring-fall. It is still the easiest way to reach the top of the mountain, due to strict vehicle regulations on the auto-road. We had a wonderful time visiting the mountain and cog railway.
For more information about Mt. Washington State Park and the Cog Railway you can watch this video:
Additional Tips and Information:
– Ticket Cost as of July 2018: $57 for a regular adult, $50 for veterans
– The railroad is on the opposite side of the mountain as the road to drive up. Be sure you have the correct address otherwise you could spend on extra hour going to the wrong side.
– Bring snacks and drinks with you before arriving. There’s one gas station nearby that’s a little overpriced but prices on food and drinks only gets higher at the Cog visitor center and even higher at the top of the mountain.
-Check the weather before heading up, it’s always colder and more windy on the top of the mountain. I suggest you bring layers even in the middle of the summer.
Our family picture at the very top of Mount Washington.
Additional Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Washington_Cog_Railway
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The interior of the Cog Railway Train Car looks fascinating …as it appears to be wooden …which is something I’ve never seen. What a great trip
This looks like fun and could be a romantic getaway!
This is my preferred way of getting to the top of a mountain! Ha-ha! I hadn’t heard of this railway on Mount Washington, but it sounds like a fun excursion, and I’m sure it’s definitely worth the ride to see the views!
Taking a cog railway train up a mountain is such a fun experience. I did the one up Pikes Peak in Colorado a few years ago, and the views were amazing. I’d definitely take the one up Mount Washington if I get the chance!
This looks just like stepping back in time! What a cool experience. 🙂