This first in the world mountain climbing cog railway, rack-and-pinion railway has been making its dramatic 3-hour round trip to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast (6288’) for over 150 years. Powered by custom built biodiesel or vintage steam locomotives, clear weather provides spectacular panoramic views
The price was $70 per person but well worth it. The view going up and down - WOW. The view and experience at top of Mount Washington - AMAZING and COOL (and cold, so be prepared for it). The summit is the highest point in New England and home of the world's worst weather.
Sylvester Marsh, the engineer that built "The Cog", invented many appliances, in Chicago. that were incidental to meat and grain drying and packing. Marsh made quite a good amount of money on his inventions and then later moved to Littleton, New Hampshire to restore his health by being outdoors.
While ascending Mount Washington in 1852, he lost his way, and then conceived the idea of building a railroad to its summit, believing that such an enterprise could be made profitable. He obtained a charter for the road on June 25, 1858, but the American Civil War prevented any action until May 1866. The construction of such a road was regarded as impossible, and he became known as “Crazy Marsh”; indeed, the legislature, in granting him a charter, further expressed their willingness to grant a “charter to the moon” if he wished.
Marsh began construction and used his own resources. This peculiar form of locomotive, cog rail, and brakes used were invented by Marsh. The road was completed in July 1869. During the construction of this road, it was visited by a Swiss engineer, who took away drawings of the machinery and track, from which a similar railway was built up Mount Rigi in Switzerland. Now locals call it "The railroad to the moon".
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