It had been completed earlier that year in the railway’s own shops. It was here that we caught our first glimpse of the first diesel employed on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. The switch was rebuilt in 2003 and operates on solar power. Waumbek is also the site of the lower switch to the passing track. The steam locomotives stop here for water on the way up. We climbed almost to the snow line, which was just above Waumbek Tank. As we climbed, it seemed there were always trains in view, either below or above our position, so we stopped frequently to get shots of the smoky action.įeeding the fire for the climb to the top of Mount Washington – Yard Goat Images Photo The first locomotive pushes its single wooden car, followed a few minutes later by another. Trains on the Mount Washington Cog Railway usually go up and down in pairs to save time at the passing track switches. You will be trespassing and asked to leave.Īlthough the terrain was steep, the footing was fairly easy, as there had been some recent excavation that had not grown over in most areas. While there are several marked trails going to the summit, but none of these follow the cog line, so don’t ever try hiking up there without getting permission from Mount Washington Cog Railway. It should be pointed out that there is no actual “trail” along the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Heavy snow in the higher elevations over the preceding several days forced a closure, so we went to Plan B, and that was to hike up.Īfter gaining permission, we set out. The toll road is only open when it is deemed safe by the operators. Our day on the Mount Washington Cog Railway We planned to carpool up the mountain and set up our cameras near the end of the line.
Because riding on the Mount Washington Cog Railway only allows a minimum amount of time at the summit, our choice was to drive, thereby staying longer. The road was completed in 1861, eight years before the Mount Washington Cog Railway. One is the Mount Washington Cog Railway itself, and there is also a toll road. There are two ways to be carried up the mountain. That was not the original plan for the day’s activities, but looking back, I’m happy it turned out that way. From our vantage point we could also see Jacob’s Ladder and trains disappearing out of sight over the top. Starting from Marshfield Station, we climbed nearly halfway up, which allowed us to capture dramatic images of trains coming up and down the mountain.
As part of a photography group, we were given permission to hike up the mountain. I was fortunate to visit in October, 2008 to witness some of the last days of steam on Mount Washington Cog Railway. Additional diesels are now in operation, and steam is usually relegated to just one trip per day. The Mount Washington Cog Railway was 100% steam powered until 2008, when its first home-built diesel locomotive went into service. A Mount Washington Cog Railway locomotive makes its way up the mountain – Yard Goat Images Photo Steam on the Mount Washington Cog Railway
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