If you and your family are planning to be in or near the Mount Washington Valley this fall, do not miss taking a trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Those who remember reading The Little Engine That Could will be particularly attracted to taking a trip on The Cog, the original "Little Train That Could."
This year is the Cog Railway's 135th Anniversary. The Mount Washington Cog Railway was the first mountain climbing railway in the world, and is the only on that still runs entirely on coal-fired steam. Each trip to the top of Mount Washington consumes one ton of coal and a thousand gallons of water.
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeast United States. The first locomotive train to reach the summit of Mount Washington made its journey along these tracks on July 3, 1869. The name of the coal-fired steam locomotive was "Old Peppersass," and you can see it at the Marshfield Base Station today.
Although there are now seven trains available to take passengers up and down the mountain, the trip is still as exciting as it was in days gone by. The average annual wind velocity is 37 miles per hour, and the highest wind velocity in the world -- 231 miles per hour -- was recorded at the top of Mount Washington. The train tracks on the Cog Railway also include the famous section called Jacob's Ladder. This is the steepest section of the track, with a 37.4% grade. To illustrate how steep this is, if one of your family sat in the front of the car and another in the back, there would be a 14-foot height difference between the two of them. Try this out, just like my family did on our recent trip -- it's fun!
Fall is one of the most popular times to ride the Cog Railway, although it's fun at any time of year. The train makes a "clackety-clack" sound as it marches over the wooden tracks, the scenery is breathtaking, and exploring the summit of Mount Washington is fun as well. Make sure to visit the "Tip Top House" built in 1853 and drop by the snack shop and souvenir store atop the 6,288-foot peak. The views are nothing short of spectacular.
2004 Rates:
Ticket prices for the Mount Washington Cog Railway are as follows: Adults - $49; Seniors ages 65 and older - $45; Children ages 6-12 - $35; and children under the age of 6 are free if they sit in an adult's lap. There are often family passes, discounts, and other specials listed on the railway's website Mount Washington Cog Railway, so make sure to check it before you go. It should be noted that this trip may not be advised for those with severe asthma due to potentially significant coal soot. When our family rode the train, however, there was little soot and almost no wind. The ride was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
For more information on The Mount Washington Cog Railway, call 800-922-8825 or visit the railway's website at http://www.thecog.com/.
If you're planning a trip to the Mount Washington Valley and are looking for a place to stay, make sure to check out the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort. We found this family friendly property to be an excellent base for exploring all that the Valley has to offer, although it was often difficult for us to tear ourselves away from the hotel property. There is so much to do on the grounds of the hotel, including horseback riding on miles of trails, 27 holes of golf, indoor and outdoor swimming, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, and an 18-hole putting green that was the site of many family competitions and wagers. Downhill and crosscountry skiing are available in the winter months. Babysitting is available for those who wish to enjoy a romantic dinner in the hotel's dining room, and a children's program is offered during the summer months and on selected holiday weekends. Rooms at the resort are spacious, and there are a number of configurations available to suit your particular family's needs. For more information, visit the resort's website Mount Washington Hotel and Resort or call 800-258-0330.
