Mount Washington Cog Railway - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Located in the White Mountains Region …
Travel Mount Washington Cog Railroad for an Historic and Scenic Adventure. If you’re planning a visit to New Hampshire, don’t miss the opportunity to experience an incredible and historic travel adventure. Passengers first traveled up the steep slopes of massive Mount Washington by Cog Railway more than a century ago. Visitors today can still enjoy the same remarkable experience as the first Cog Railway passengers did a hundred years ago.
Your Mount Washington Cog Railroad adventure will begin at the base of the mountain. Here you can tour a fascinating museum, shop an expansive gift shop, and enjoy a meal at an outstanding restaurant.
The steep ascent on a Mount Washington Cog Railway ride is an unforgettable adventure. You’ll experience being pulled by steam locomotive along some of the steepest railway tracks in the world. The scenery is spectacular, and you’ll enjoy one incredible view after another as you ascend the mountain. At the summit of Mount Washington, you’ll experience breathtaking views spanning four states. You’ll see the city of Quebec and the Atlantic Ocean from far above once you arrive at the top of Mount Washington.
At the summit of Mount Washington, you’ll have the opportunity to spend some time exploring New Hampshire's mile-high state park. You can also visit the Sherman Adams Observation Center which is located within the park.
The spectacular scenery and views and the attractions at both the base and summit of Mount Washington are incredible. Yet they are really only part of what makes a ride on board the Mount Washington Cog Railway such an amazing experience. The Railway’s long history makes it an intriguing as well as unique mode of travel.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway was built in 1869, and it utilized the most up to date and cutting edge technology of its day. It was an exciting and innovative feat of engineering, and today it is still hard to imagine a more thrilling rail travel experience.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway journey is a three hour round trip excursion, and you will want to allow for plenty of time to explore the attractions at the mountain’s summit and base. To fully experience all there is to do and see on a Mount Washington Cog Railway tour, plan for a full day’s visit.
You can take a Mount Washington Cog Railway tour year round, but it is best to purchase your tickets in advance.
Base Road
Six miles off Route 302
Bretton Woods
New Hampshire 03575
800-922-8825
The railfan community and many other groups and individuals are shocked that the owners of the Mt. Washington Cog Railway have seen fit to replace their steam locomotives with diesels. The girl at the ticket window this past week also told customers that the steam locomotives will be completely replaced by the diesels by next season.
This is a national treasure and its uniqueness is the fact that it has always been operated with steampower. An employee at the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway said he was fired by the management of the cog railway after being employed there for years for daring to speak out against the proposed changeover.
I and a friend of mine traveled several hundred miles last week to ride the train, and it was advertised on the Internet that two runs still operated with steam. But when we arrived, we found that steam would not be run in the afternoon as it had been replaced by a second diesel. Many people we encountered also were very disappointed.
The management of this operation is coming under severe criticism and the word is being spread quickly. Negative publicity will only do harm to what is a national treasure. Perhaps the State of New Hampshire should consider taking it over.
I and many others have been there on numerous occasions, but last week will be my last. What they have done or are doing is inexcusable.
Richard Palmer
Syracuse, N.Y.