Mount Washington’s Cog Railway

The Mount Washington Cog Railway ran its first train up the mountain in 1869. The 6,288-foot climb takes about an hour. Trains run in spring, summer and fall.

You can only ride the coal-driven steam train in the morning. It runs once a day and leaves the base at 8:30 am. Other trips throughout the day are powered by bio-diesel engines. These were introduced in 2008. Despite the environmental concerns of a coal-fired steam train built at the turn of the century, the trip up the mountain by this engine definitely has some nostalgia.

Weather can be unpredictable at the summit and there are often gusty winds.