The World’s First Mountain-Climbing Railway Still Conquers America’s Windiest Peak After 150 Years

Mount Washington Cog Railway, New Hampshire

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is still charging up New England’s highest peak like it did in 1869. While tourists snap scenic shots from their cars, this historic railway keeps chugging along its steep track, fighting gravity at grades that would make regular trains quit. Here’s why you should add it to your travel bucket list.

The Railway That Could

Back in 1858, when Sylvester Marsh showed his railway plan to the New Hampshire Legislature, they laughed and said he might as well build a railway to the moon.

Marsh didn’t back down though. After almost dying on the mountain in 1852, he put $5,000 of his own money into making it happen. The railway got its official papers in 1859, but building work had to wait until after the Civil War ended in 1866.

The nickname stuck around, becoming part of the railway’s charm that continues today.

How it Continues to Run in Winter

The railway runs all year, even in winter when trains go up to Waumbek Station at 4,000 feet instead of all the way to the top. It uses an old jet engine strapped to the wheels to clear snow from the tracks.

It Needs Thousands of Gallons of Water

Take a look at those steam engines with their oddly tilted boilers. They’re designed that way on purpose to handle the steep climb up the mountain while keeping the water level steady. Each round trip needs 1,000 gallons of water and a whole ton of coal, showing just how much power it takes to climb Mount Washington.

During summer and fall, the railway runs two of these historic steam locomotives, with special trips during October when the leaves change color.

When President Grant Rode the Train to Cool Down

Just a month after opening in 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant rode the railway to escape the summer heat in Washington D.C. The railway has kept running since then, only stopping during the World Wars.

Even P.T. Barnum, the famous circus owner, was impressed. After riding to the top in 1869, he called it “The Second Greatest Show on Earth,” putting it just behind his own circus.

The First Woman to Run an Entire Railway

When Arthur S. Teague passed away in 1967, his wife Ellen Crawford Teague took over and became the first woman in the world to run a railway. She managed it successfully until 1983. Before Ellen took charge, the railway had several different owners including Dartmouth College and the Boston & Maine Railroad.

Interestingly, though they shared the same last name, the Teague family had no relation to Henry Teague, who owned the railway before them.

The Train Ride Through Three Different Ecosystems

As you travel the three miles up to the summit, you pass through completely different environments. First comes the boreal forest, then the twisted, stunted trees of the “Krummholz” zone, and finally the alpine area near the top.

For every 1,000 feet you climb, the temperature typically drops 3-5 degrees. The plants at the summit are rare arctic species that have survived since the last ice age. This quick journey through different climate zones is like taking a trip from New Hampshire to northern Canada in just an hour.

The Views Are Phenomenal

At the summit, you get about 20 minutes more daylight than people at the base station. This happens because you’re 3,588 feet higher up. On clear days from the 6,288-foot summit, your view spans five states, parts of Quebec, and even the Atlantic Ocean.

The sunrises and sunsets seen from Mount Washington rank among the most beautiful in New England. This extra daylight gives photographers more time to capture these stunning views.

Some Tourists Hope for Bad Weather

Mount Washington is known for having “the world’s worst weather” and once recorded wind speeds of 231 mph back in 1934. Fog covers the summit about 300 days each year.

Strangely enough, some visitors feel let down when they get a calm, clear day. They wanted to feel those legendary strong winds and wild conditions that make Mount Washington famous.

A Train Track That Never Touches the Ground

The entire railway sits on an elevated trestle system to handle the steep grade, which averages 25% and reaches nearly 38% in some spots. It’s the only railway in the world with its main line completely built above ground.

Only Switzerland’s Pilatus Railway has steeper sections. In 2021, the railway upgraded to heavier 100-pound rails, replacing the lighter original tracks. This unusual construction method has allowed the railway to operate safely on what was once considered an impossible route.

The Story Behind “Peppersass”

They called the first locomotive “Old Peppersass” because its upright boiler looked like a pepper sauce bottle. Its wheel had 19 cogs that fit into teeth on the middle rail to pull it up the mountain.

You can see the preserved Old Peppersass at the Base Station today. In 1929, during a special anniversary ride, Old Peppersass jumped off the track when a gear tooth broke, causing a serious accident.

How the Railway Helps Save Lost Hikers

Beyond taking tourists up the mountain, the railway helps save lives too. In February 2024, it helped New Hampshire Fish and Game officers rescue a hiker caught in bad weather.

The railway works with the Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue Team to help people who aren’t prepared for the harsh conditions. Hurricane-force winds blow on Mount Washington about every third day of the year.

An Eco-Friendlier Railway Ride

The railway now mainly uses seven biodiesel locomotives that were designed, built, and are maintained right at the railway. A biodiesel engine can make three round trips for the same cost as one steam train journey, making operations much more affordable while reducing their environmental impact.

New Tech Updates for a 150-Year-Old Railway

At the end of 2024, the railway closed for two weeks to replace tracks and update its software and ticket systems. These changes have made things better for visitors while keeping the railway’s historic feel.

They also built a 34,000-square-foot maintenance building in 2021, which lets them operate year-round. These improvements ensure this 150-year-old engineering marvel keeps running for generations to come.

How to Plan Your Visit to the Cog Railway

Address: 3168 Base Station Road, Mt. Washington, NH 03589 

The railway’s Marshfield Base Station is located 6 miles east of Route 302 on the western side of Mount Washington. The full experience lasts three hours, including an hour to explore the summit.

Tickets cost about $91 for adults (2025 prices), with group and off-peak discounts available. Between late October and early May, trains only go as far as Waumbek Station.

At the Base Station, you’ll find a free museum about the railway’s history, a gift shop for souvenirs, a food court when you get hungry, and a viewing deck with great mountain views.

Once you reach the summit, you can visit the observation platform, explore the Sherman Adams Visitor Center, see the historic Tip Top House built in 1853, grab a bite at the cafeteria, and even mail a postcard from the United States Post Office located at the top.