The beauty of the mountains and the thrill of ascending the Northeast's highest peak are just as enchanting today as they were in 1869, when Sylvester Marsh opened the world's first mountain-climbing railroad on New Hampshire's Mount Washington.
Nearly 150 years later, we continue to provide a sense of adventure and history as it carries passengers up a 3-mile-long trestle and the steepest railroad tracks in North America to the 6,288-foot summit of Mount Washington. There, visitors can take in the spectacular panoramic view, spanning the mountains and valleys of New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, north into Canada, and east to the Atlantic Ocean.
Passengers may choose to ride The Cog in a car powered by a historic steam locomotive or the more modern and eco-friendly biodiesel engines.
Whether examining the history and memorabilia of The Cog at the Marshfield Station, where the original Old Peppersass engine is on display, or exploring the fascinating weather and ecosystem of the mountain at the summit's Mount Washington Observatory.
For those of you that want the nostalgia of an antique steam train, we run a Steam Special at 8:30 am each day. Make your reservations early as this is the only definite steam train each day!
The round trip cog ride takes approximately three hours, generally including one hour stop at the summit. We recommend that you bring a camera and extra jacket or sweater. Remember, some trains are fired by coal -- so dress accordingly.
Please plan to arrive AT LEAST 30 MINUTES before departure time to allow plenty of time for ticketing and restroom visits. All trains board 15 minutes before departure time, take time before or after your trip to browse through our spacious gift shop, visit the museum, have lunch at our affordable restaurant or just sit on the deck and savor the natural beauty of the White Mountains.
