Are you looking for unique adventurous activity in New Hampshire?
Let’s dig a little deeper.
The MT Washington Cog Railway is a well-known tourist spot. It is the first mountain-climbing railway across the world that opened in 1868. It is used to reach the Mt. Washington peak.
The local inhabitants of the Granite State called it “The Cog.” Thousands of people visit this historic place each year. In New England, it is the only cog railway that has been working for more than 150 years.
In the northeastern United States, Mt. Washington is 6,288 feet high and is considered the highest mountain. There are many ways to conquer the tallest peak. It includes Snow Coach, hiking, and driving your own car to reach the summit’s top point.
However, Cog Railway is a convenient, impressive option, and full of adventure. After the Pilatus Railway in Switzerland, it is considered the second-steepest railway rack in the world.
In a town, two types of trains work to complete the journey. It includes old-fashioned steam and modern biodiesel locomotives.
The biodiesel trains started work in 2008. Whereas the steam train has run for over 150 years, it is the authentic option that starts a journey twice daily. It is not a high-speed journey. The locomotive travels 4.6 miles per hour on the way down and 2.8 miles on the way up.
In the following section of the article, we will share our personal cog experience. So read the content to get valuable information and more clarity.
History of the Railway
Sylvester Marsh is a renowned inventor, engineer, and businessman who built the MT Washington Cog Railway. He started a project after facing a tragedy on the mountain.
Once, Marsh and his friend faced a severe storm and got stuck while hiking on Mount Washington. They reach the Tip Top House with their teeth.
After that, they planned to start a steam locomotive because it was a safer and more efficient way to climb the mountain. In 1858, Marsh discussed the idea with the State Legislature of NH. The legislature did not accept his proposal and called him “Crazy Marsh.”
Marsh and his team worked hard to finalize the railroad design for the harsh mountain journey. At that time, the American Civil War started, and they had to delay all the construction until 1866. After the end of the Civil War, they get permission from the state authorities to complete the project.
As a first step, they laid 600 feet of railway track and got an Old Peppersass engine. The first journey was only for the investors, who loved it with flying colors. After achieving success in the first phases, they completed the construction up to the summit.
In 1868, the Cog started a journey with first paying customers. The Cog Railway project became popular quickly and was considered a United States National Historic Engineering Landmark in 1975.
Mount Washington Cog Railway FAQ
The Cog Railway journey starts from the Marshfield Station and ends at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The starting point is in the Bretton Woods, and the closing point is the mountain’s western side.
However, it is one hour from the mountain’s eastern side. It is recommended that you never mix up the mountain’s eastern and western locations because if you go wrong, there are chances that you could miss your journey’s time slot.
Q. Is the MT Washington Cog Railway Worth It?
It is a unique rail journey and has a lot of worth. You will also admire it if you sit on the left side.
Q. Should you book the MT Washington Cog Railway in advance?
It is a famous historical place, and thousands of people visit it from all over the world tickets frequently sell out, so it is recommended that you book your rail journey tickets in advance.
In the White Mountains, fall is the busiest time due to the fall foliage, so buy tickets in advance to enjoy a trip.
Q. How long does it take to climb Mount Washington by train?
The entire excursion journey is three hours. It includes sixty minutes of climbing through the steam train and forty-five minutes with biodiesel trains.
After reaching the destination, people stay more than an hour at the summit. Then require one hour or forty-five minutes to come down from the summit.
Q. Does the MT Washington Cog Railway operate in bad weather?
There are scarce chances that the Cog is not fully functional because it smoothly operates on snowy and rainy days. If the summit trips close entirely for any reason, the Cog only ascends the mountain partway to Skyline or Waumbek stations.
Q. How much does the MT Washington Cog Railway cost?
It depends on the seat and journey. Usually, the per adult ticket cost is $72 and $86. There is also a discount on fares for kids and seniors.
My Journey on the Cog
The first time I took the Cog Railway ride was in Late-September 2022, when the fall day started. At Marshfield Station, I reached before the departure time of the train to experience the Cog Railway gift shop and Museum.
There are different age groups, but the average youngest person was 20 years old. Kids returned to school on fall days, and most seniors were there. With other passengers, I ride on board 15 minutes before the departure of the train.
The summit journey was entertaining because a travel guide told us about the area we passed and Mount Washington. Now, with time we were moved to the barren areas. In a short time, we passed the Halfway House at 4300 feet elevation.
After passing Profile Rock, we enter a narrow ridge with Ammonoosuc Ravine on the right side and Burt’s Ravine on the left. Jacob’s Ladder is the steepest part of the ascent. As we move forward, the ascent becomes more barren.
All the greenery converts into sharp gray rocks. We also passed many hikers. At one point, the Cog ascends alongside New Hampshire’s Appalachian Trail.
The Presidential Range views are very stunning. Finally, we were at the summit after passing Mount Clay, Madison, Jefferson, and Adams. At the summit, we enjoy a lot with the iconic views.
Mount Washington Summit
The summit is not ideal for the weather because there are hurricane-force winds. It blows in the year’s 110 days, so if you face gray, rough, and windy conditions, don’t worry.
However, I am fortunate because the weather is clear during my visit, and we enjoy a lot with Presidential Range and Atlantic Ocean views.
The summit has many attractive attractions that make your trip more memorable. A small museum took you into the past when Marsh spent time in a hotel and the Tip Top House. There is a Sherman Adams Visitors Center that offers an interactive experience.
The other visitor’s center is free, but you have to pay an additional $2 to visit the Sherman Adams Center.
You will also find gift shops, a cafeteria, and a USPS post office at the summit. The post office offers a facility to send a postcard directly from Mount Washington’s top.
The iconic views are the most entertaining thing at the top of Mount Washington, but it mostly depends on the weather. Three years back, on my first visit, the weather condition was not favorable, but now it was clear and helped me to funs a lot.
Moreover, you and your fellow train travelers are not only on the summit. You will also find some hikers, the individuals who drove the Mount Washington Auto Road, and a few dogs. There is a line for pictures. Anybody can take a photo with that sign.
Conclude everything before time and never wait until the last minute because you could miss your train if you don’t follow the time guidelines. Keep in mind that you don’t miss your train.
In a Cog, the guides tell the departure time, so arrive on time because you only have a single ticket you book for a specific journey. During the foliage and summer season, it isn’t easy to get a new ticket because all the tickets are often sold out.
If you don’t get your train on time, you have to face many difficulties and find other ways to go down. You may have to beg someone for a ride if you are not a professional hiker.
After spending 30 to 35 minutes on the summit, we return to our train, and the train moves to take all the passengers down.
At that time, a guide entertained us by telling more stories about the White Mountains, Mount Washington, and about occasional hikers who didn’t have enough experience. The guide also informed us that sometimes gets lost halfway up the mountain.
What to Wear When You Visit Mount Washington
The weather conditions of Mount Washington are not favorable. Compared to the ground temperature, the summit conditions are always colder. It does not matter what day you come. It is famous for “the worst weather in the world.” It is often gnarly for visitors.
Wear a light or thermal layer sweater, gloves, a light waterproof rain jacket, and a hat. There is no need for umbrellas at the summit due to the wind speeds. Hiking shoes or sneakers are necessary on a journey because it is not the right place to wear flip-flops or sandals.
Taking the Mount Washington Cog Railway in Winter
The Cog runs year-round. However, when the summit is closed, the Cog runs to Waumbek Station. Usually, the summit is closed from mid-October to May.
At Waumbek Station, you can entertain with warming huts, a fire pit, and tasty refreshments. It is at 4000 feet above sea level. The Waumbek journey lasts for one hour.
In early spring and October, a train goes to Skyline Station. It is at an elevation of 5500 feet. There is no facility to get off the train. Skyline Round trip consists of 90 minutes.
Can you hike up Mount Washington and take the train down?
Hiking isn’t for everyone. If you are a beginner and do not have much experience, it is not a good decision to hike Mount Washington.
It is an ideal place for professional or experienced hikers who wear hiking dresses, start their journey early, never rely on their phone signal, and know how to travel in ever-changing weather conditions.
Moreover, it is good if you have some hiking experience. The tickets aren’t always available to ride down if you miss your train, so you should always be prepared to avoid any worries. Get Hike Safe card from New Hampshire Fish and Game if you plan to hike in the Granite State or Mount Washington.
In addition, the card helps get to the rescue facility. New Hampshire demands money for the rescue facility. If you have a card, you don’t need to pay someone.
MT Washington Cog Railway Cost
The average ticket price is $72 to $86. The Cog Railway seats matter a lot in the ticket price. There is a small discount for seniors, who get the same seat for $68 to $82.
The ticket price for kids from 4 to 12 years old is between $49 and $63. There is no round-trip cost for kids under 4.
Is the MT Washington Cog Railway Worth It?
In New Hampshire, it is a unique activity known as the world’s best rail journey. The rail journey is amazing, and travelers enjoy listening to stories and watching beautiful views. The Cog is more entertaining than the Conway Scenic Railroad journey and other activities.
Getting a left-side train seat while ascending the mountain would be best. It offers a chance to experience the stunning views of the Appalachian Trail and Presidential Range.
However, it’s not a big deal if you are not successful in getting the left-side seat because you still have a chance for fun.
Additionally, fall and Summer is the busiest time. Thousands of travelers come in that period. You should book your reservations as soon as possible during peak weekends.
The busiest weekends include Labor Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, Columbus Day weekend, and Memorial Day weekend.
The dress is also essential, so wear appropriate clothes because the weather is a little windy and cold at the summit compared to the ground weather.
Q. Does the cog railway go to the top of Mt Washington?
Yes, it takes the passenger to the Mt Washington summit. It is a 3-hour train ride journey.
Q. Does Mt Washington still have a cog railway?
Yes, the cog railway still runs and has offered services for over 150 years.
Q. How long is the MT Washington cog railway ride?
It is a 3-hour round-trip journey.
Q. How much does it cost to ride the Cog Railway on Mount Washington?
It is not the cheapest ride. The round trip costs $63 for 4 to 12-year-old kids, $86 for adults, and $82 for seniors.
More on the White Mountains:
- 21 Tips for Driving the Kancamagus Highway
- Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire
- 27 Epic Things to Do in Lincoln, NH
- 32 Fun Things to Do in North Conway, NH
- Tips for Visiting Glen Ellis Falls
- Riding The Conway Scenic Railroad
- Tips for Driving the Mount Washington Auto Road
- 23 Fun Things To Do In Littleton, NH
- 16 Best Things To Do in Jackson, NH
- 30 Unforgettable Things To Do In The White Mountains, NH
