Plan a trip up Mount Washington on the Cog Railway!

cog

¹ [kog, kawg] noun

1.  (not in technical use) a gear tooth, formerly especially one of hardwood or metal, fitted into a slot in a gearwheel of less durable material.

2.  a cogwheel. 

I have always wanted to ride the Cog Railway on Mount Washington.  Several people tried to talk me out of it by saying, "That train looks like it will fall off the mountain."  I'll admit, it does look like it might fall off the mountain but I took that fateful train ride and guess what?  I'm still here to write about it.

The Mount Washington cog is the only cog railroad East of the Rockies.  It's a thrilling, yet educational trip that you will never forget.  In operation for over one-hundred and forty years, the cog was designated a National Historic Engineering Landmark in 1976. 

I took my ride on my birthday last October.  You may want to make your journey this summer before the kids go back to school.  I would recommend reservations; as it's popularity is understandable.

I specifically wanted to ride on the steam train which is the first train up the mountain in the morning.  The sun was still on it's way up when we arrived at the train station.

The engine "pushes" the passenger car up the mountain.

A complicated feat of engineering?  Not really.  Pure genius. 

I was determined to be first in line.  After all, it was my birthday!

A daunting look at the track taking us to new heights.

The ceiling of the passenger car was beautifully crafted.

Here we go....

The scenery quickly began to change.

 Notice how the pieces are numbered.

The terrain continues to change.

The sun was finally beginning to reach our side of the mountain.

The building in this photo is the halfway point on the Cog.

Precarious?  Not at all!

Simply beautiful.

Where do old railway parts go?

The Appalachian Trail reaches the Cog track shortly before reaching the top of the mountain.

Almost there!

The excitement was building as our trip was nearing the end.

The wind shifted and the steam was blowing along side the train.

There happened to be a weather inversion that day; it was warmer at the top of the mountain than it was at the bottom.

This way to the infamous Tuckerman RavineTrail.

The sign says it all.

Standing on top of the world!

The United States Geological Survey allows scientists to study the landscape of the United States.

A window to the past tucked in an early shelter.

Awe inspiring.

The absolutely incredible view.

You can see the chains that anchor this building to the ground.

An up close look at the cog mechanism.

The next train on it's way up.

The day is in full swing.  We pass yet another train full of passengers.

Back on solid ground!  A wonderful experience.