This railway is well designed! They have a large parking lot, a small museum about the history of the railway (its construction and how the steam engine works), a large gift shop, and a basic cafe that has hotdogs and some grab and go items. The facilities are modern and clean. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our ride! We bought tickets the day of for the trip to Waumbek station on a weekday (they don't go up the summit after October). Seats are reserved, we sat at row 1 seats E and D which I think were the best seats. There was one train that sat 70 people. A roundtrip to the Waumbek station and back takes about an hour. On the 15 minute ride up, the MC went over the history of the railway and how things work at the railway. Once at the Waumbek station, we had about 20 minutes to take photos, enjoy some hot chocolate (very watered down), and make some s'mores ($4 kit available at the main station that includes Graham crackers, chocolate, and a big marshmellow, but they did provide small marshmallows for free). There is a bonfire, 3 levels of the station to hang out and take photos, and heating lamps. The views here were gorgeous! For the ride down, they do flip the steps so we went from the front row to the back row. Overall, it was a fun experience that I would recommend! read more

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I didn't even know what cog means before. Initially I saw the post about 20hikers were stranded on White mountain. We found about cog railway experience. Oldest in the world...a little history of cogs inside the building too. Get your timed reservation online or downstairs inside the building. Check the weather. It was raining,flurries a bit but on summit it could be snowstorm like. No scenery much up on the summit but definitely once in a lifetime experience you might want to try. I feel like it was a Polar Express experience. Bring warm jacket,gloves,hats,dress appropriately from head to toes. No exaggeration.Don't be sorry. read more

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The Mt. Washington Cog Railway base station is a gorgeous location, covered mountains and greenery. Inside the station, there are two floors. First floor has a cafe, restrooms and of course the cog railway museum. The museum beautifully captures the history, evolution and popularity of the cog railway. I learned plenty about steam engines, railway development and the history of this particular rail track making its way to top of Mt. Washington. On the lower floor, they have the ticket booth and gift shop. The gift is huge and full of amazing souvenirs and merchandise of cog railway and NH landmarks and attractions. I bought tickets for our family few weeks ahead to ensure our spot. It was a bad weather day, rainy and gloomy. We got on train right on time. Very clean car, with engine at the back and a travel guide in front. Took us about 45 minutes in extreme snowy condition to get to top. At one point we experienced 35 degree grade. The guide told us cool fact and stories along the way. We got an hour to spend at top of the mountain. Then the train returns to take the passengers back to base station. It was a fun filled experience for the whole family. Wish the weather was nicer for us. We couldn't see anything but snow and glare. read more

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We went on the ride during Memorial Day weekend thinking it should be a good weather. How wrong! It was blizzard at the summit nevertheless I still had much fun. Just didn't get to see anything on the ride because it was all snow. Good thing we brought snacks and drinks. It was 1 hr each way. The crew members were professional and knowledgeable. I learned a lot regarding the railroad and Mt. Washington. The tickets are $84 for adults and $61 for kids. Weekend tickets are $10 more. The display hall at the base camp is very educational. Shops inside for souvenirs and food. At the summit, there's another station. It has a post office, shops and food. Bathroom is clean (modern plumbing thank god). Highly recommend if you are visiting NH. It's an amazing trip for half day! read more

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We got the perfect day!! Even the engineers stated it's never been so nice with no wind and all sunshine ! We did pack some winter gear, as everyone should, just in case. We purchased the bag lunch (Turkey or ham with cheese on a nice pretzel bun; vegetarian), chips, choice of drink and a cookie for the ride up on the cog for $19. It was a good dealio . Great fun with friends and the crew was entertaining and knowledgeable on the way up and back. An hour of great views from the top, excluding some haziness from the fires in Canada. Highly recommend. read more

The world's first mountain climbing cog railway was an experience we didn't want to pass up. We arrived early and paid the $54 per person ($108 for the two of us) for tickets for a one hour round trip excursion. Before the journey there are restrooms you can use and a small museum area that tells about the railway. There is also a gift shop and concession area downstairs. Our guides were Terry and Steve and the trip took about 20 minutes to take us 1/3 of the way up summit. It was interesting for about 5 of those minutes. You should also be aware that if you are not in the very front row of seats, visibility of the tracks is virtually non-existent. The second 20 minutes of the journey is spent stopped at a platform, where you can step outside the train and take photos. They also offer you (terribly diluted) hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting over a fire that they have going. The final 20 minutes is a slow return to the station. Because this is one of only two working cog railways currently running, the uniqueness of this experience is definitely 5/5. Unfortunately, for me personally, the value of the experience for the cost was closer to 1/5. The guides made sure to tell us that some people come every year to ride the train over and over again, but if I had it to do over, I'm not sure I would do it the first time again, let alone repeat for the cost. I do however appreciate the ingenuity and uniqueness of it all. read more

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Totally amazing! We went in mid November so you don't get to go all the way up to just to Waumbek Station were you get to enjoy amazing views topped with snow, they also serve hot chocolate, coffee and marshmallows. Stunning views! We truly enjoyed this visit. read more

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it is a nice trip, but sit in C, D, And E for a better view! You can buy a hot dog on the summit for $3.00. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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rode the Cog Railway this week and wow--what an experience! From start to finish, everyone working there was so friendly and helpful, which made the whole trip even better. The ride itself was sunny and gorgeous (pro tip: grab a seat on the left-hand side for the best views). Once you get to the top, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking--pictures seriously don't do it justice. Bonus tip: don't skip the gift shops! There are two at the top with plenty of great souvenirs, but I really wish I had checked out the independent shop owner near the smaller building first--it had such unique finds. Definitely worth a stop before heading inside. read more

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Check out the weather / cloud cover / visibility forecast in advance to plan when to go up Mt. Washington on the Cog Railway. The views yesterday were amazing. The brakemen were friendly, safety conscious, and clear. The employees at the cafe and shops were all helpful and the restrooms were, considering how much traffic is in and out, clean. Buy your tickets online in advance but realize you still need to get your physical tickets at the entrance. Believe the info when they say to arrive 45 minutes before your departure time!! read more

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This was a fun experience. The train slowly chugs up the mountain where you can take in the beautiful views. It was crazy windy at the top, so windy, it actually made viewing reasonably difficult and not as enjoyable. it is so much colder at the top as well, definitely over prepare, when you get up there, you will be happy you did. Winter coat appropriate. It's amazing that some people hike to the top, it is hella steep. The train is a unique experience, I'd definitely recommend that as the best way to see the views. There's a mini museum at the top as well that worth checking out. read more

The Mount Washington cog railways is one of just two cog railways in the US, so it is a unique experience. For us, it was the highlight of our trip. I would recommend booking tickets early, because this does sell out. When we arrived to the cog, they have a gift shop with a little restaurant. They also have a room with some information on the cog. They started boarding the trains about 15 minutes before we started the trip up the mountain. Our train was at 3pm and the train left right at 3pm. The ride up to the summit takes about 45 minutes. On the way up, they gave us a lot of information on the history of the cog and how it works. Once we reached the summit, we had an hour to look around. The day we visited, it had snowed a few days before so it was very cold and icy. Be sure to check the weather so you can dress accordingly. They have a state park visitor center at the summit which includes a restaurant (that was closed when we visited) and a museum that we didn't have time to see. The day we visited was sunny and you could see for miles. The ride back down the mountain took another 45 minutes. On the way back down, they gave us lots of information about the mountain. We visited on a perfectly sunny and not very windy day. Do note that amount Washington gets crazy weather so a trip all the way to the summit isn't guaranteed. read more

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What a fun way to spend an afternoon! My wife and I are train enthusiasts and have traveled on several all over the country. This was our first coal powered steam engine ride, and also our first on a cog railway. Luckily, the weather held out for us and we had a great view until we ascended into the clouds about 3/4 of the way up the mountain. The passenger car was tight, but very much updated and looked to be brand new. Our brakeman was also our tour guide and gave a lively and very interesting talk on the history of the railroad and the mountain itself. A tip for visitors: bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy it outside at one of the picnic tables by the entrance. read more

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First, the drive in to the parking is already beautiful so you know the train is going to be great. The parking lot can get really packed so if you have mobility issues plan to give yourself extra time. The gift shop is huge but was also packed with wall to wall people making it hard to shop. The train ride was fun and I am glad we did it. However, it was snowing at the top so we were unable to go all the way up or get off the train. It was still fun but keep this in mind so that you aren't disappointed if it happens to you. Apparently it can happen at any time of the year. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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I had booked our tickets online about two weeks out. Naturally, it was the absolute worst weather day of our time in New Hampshire. But we decided to go anyway. The visitor center and shop at the base is great - plenty of touristy things and snacks. Bathrooms are very clean. Our guide, Terry, was extremely knowledgeable and funny. The mountain has a bit of a grim reputation largely due to ill-prepared hikers, so no real way to sugar coat that. It wasn't Terry's fault that there wasn't a lot of great stories :) As it turned out, the weather was SO bad at the top (100mph winds!!!) that we were not permitted to disembark (I didn't want to at all anyway). Due to this we did get a partial refund on our tickets which was appreciated. Important to note that you need to check in at the ticket booth even if you pre-purchase tickets. 5 stars since the weather wasn't the fault of the railroad! read more

The cog railway is one of the four ways we could get to the summit of Mt. Washington, but it is also the most expensive way. The tickets sold out very quickly during foliage season, so suggesting to make reservations as soon as schedule is confirmed. We took the 4:00 pm train (the last train of the day) to get to Mt. Washington, so we were able to see sunset on our way down. The trip was about 45 minutes each way and we got to spend about an hour on the summit. The train ride was very relaxing and the guide gave us information about the mountains along the way. The interior of the train was well main and clean. Each row was clearly marked and the chair could be flipped. Suggesting to seat on the three seats side for better view. Given the amount of time we could spend on the Summit, I feel the train ticket was overpriced. read more

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The train ride was so fun and relaxing all u had to do is sit and look out the window. Mount Washington itself was freezing make sure you bring a jacket but if you forget one like me you can buy one in the gift shop. I did and it is one of the comfiest sweaters I own read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Very windy and cold make sure you bring a jacket - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

The most unique way to get to the top of Mount Washington is via the Cog Railway. This engineering marvel was the first mountain-climbing train of its kind - and it has been making the journey to the summit for 152 years! beat it..!! The USA and its engineering is fascinating The journey takes just under an hour and safely delivers you through three climate zones before you reach the summit, at which point you're free to explore. The trains typically stay at the summit for around an hour, before beginning their descent back to the bottom. Fun Fact: The Mount Washington Cog Railway, also known as the Cog, is the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway. There are two kinds of trains that make the journey these days: modern biodiesel trains and an old-fashioned steam train. Today it's primarily biodiesel locomotives, which have run here since 2008; the steam locomotives run twice per day and are more authentic to journeys from 150 years ago. read more

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Great ride to the top of Mt Washington. The conductor was very knowledgeable and gave a great talk throughout the ride highlighting different areas of interest. This should def be on your bucket list if you plan to visit the area. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

We've been wanting to come up the Mt Washington Cog Railway for years now. And we finally did it, taking advantage of a family trip from Pennsylvania. We decided to spend most of the day and first, have brunch at the Mt Washington Hotel and then drive the 15 minutes up the road to the railway. It was well worth it despite limited visibility and showers. Being in the world's first cog rail is impressive and the history behind it is amazing. The conductor guided us through its history and details while enjoying the scenery. Once on top, we walked around and I after several times here, I finally was able to locate the USGS marker which is screwed on stone a bit out of the way marking the official summit. The trip down was just as nice with a different conductor with even more detail. At the Boston Lodge, we shopped and saw the displays. Great day for a family outing. read more

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Grossly overpriced and underwhelming, but I suppose if you have New England's highest peak (just 6300 ft, pretty dwarf-like compared to mountains out west, lol) on your bucket list, sure why not. The train crawls along at 5mph, rather uncomfortable seats, but nice amiable staff providing narration while it goes up and down. They do their best to make it interesting, and the place does have a nice bit of history. At the top, there's a gift shop and food service area if you get hungry or thirsty. Expect airport prices. More importantly, they do have good free wi-fi and relatively clean public restrooms. It's no fault of the railway of course, but if you have the bad luck to go up there on a cloudy or foggy day as we did, you're paying a lot of dough to see nothing but thick white soup in all directions. I suppose this is still preferable to hiking up or down there and getting lost and needing to be rescued or dying, as happens to at least a handful of hikers every year or so. And better to be on a train during those impenetrable fog times than in a car driving up some crazy twisty mountain roads, so am glad I didn't do that. If you win the meteorological lottery and go up on a clear sunny day, I'm sure it's very pretty. But Mt Washington is notorious for having totally unpredictable and drastic weather changes throughout every day, so it's helpful to think of this as akin to a trip to the casino. Overall though, if you have seen real mountains elsewhere, you may find Mt. Washington pretty ho-hum in comparison. read more

We made reservations for two online and chose the seats we liked at a higher price. When we got there they could not find our reservation and gave someone else our seats. The only thing they could do was then sell us inferior seats for the same price. I showed them the credit card receipt but that did not help. They claimed that the fees for the online reservation would be credited. They also said that loosing reservations was common. We are not happy. We are rather pissed. read more

This is something worth doing once if you're in the area. It's a pretty high price point and you can't reschedule for weather, so if you book ahead and get a bad day, chances are you won't get much of a view at the top. That said, the conductor we got was a lot of fun and he gave a great history of the mountain and the train. I'm not sure how hard it is to book day of, but it might be worth waiting and checking the weather if you can! read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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Great trip up the mountain. Professional employees giving the tour and operating the brakes and engines. read more

We had a lot of fun on this trip up Washington mountain! It was super cold and wet at the top and there was no visibility due to fog/cloud coverage. But the ride was scenic and our conductor was informative and interesting. It would be fun to do again when it was clear at the top, for some great views! read more

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Such an amazing adventure. Avoid driving the auto road and take the cog. It's relaxing and informative. Such a great day.

The ascent was terrible, but the descent was excellent- depends upon the conductor. On the way down, the conductor was very informative and receptive of questions. On the ascent, the conductor strongly encouraged passengers to get up and move around- many did so at the expense of us who stayed seated. We couldn't hear over the hubbub nor see the sights due to those standing. Little kids were allowed to hang out windows- potential safety hazard. I would encourage supervisors to rein in the conductors. I never encountered this on previous trips on the COG. read more

We arrived early enough to visit the museum upstairs. Very interesting On time, assigned seats, some folks barely made it. No refunds. Hang on to your ticket. You need it to return back down. No ticket , you go standby or walk down. 7 miles. Very windy, and the weather changed in 20 minutes from bright sunshine to blustery cold high winds. There is light dining at the top. They offer a veteran discount on line ticket purchase. Get your seat as a pair if you can and are a pair. The seats of three only hold 3 150 lb humans. After that It gets crowded. The carriage style is the same as 150 years ago. Very slow , not scary at all. Great views. read more

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The weather was a little drizzly the day we went up and due to the end of the season we didn't get to go to the highest point. I think it was pretty pricey considering we didn't see much and couldn't hear the guide most of the time because the speakers weren't loud enough and the couple in front of us were constantly chit chatting with each other. It would've been nice if the guide would've asked them to quiet down or just put the volume up on his mic. At $62/person plus tipping the guide, I felt a little underwhelmed and disappointed in the experience. Plus, we never got any refreshments which was supposed to be part of the experience. If they couldn't do it at waumbek station, they should've offered it at the base station. Just my opinion. Anyways, guess I can say that I've been there, done that. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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Mount Washington Cog Railway June 27, 2024 Painful stuff first: it's ridiculously expensive. I couldn't believe it. A train ride up a mountain costs HOW MUCH? But then again we justified it and spent less everywhere else on the mountain. I'm not going to kill my brakes for a drive up in my own car and then put a bumper sticker on my car to brag to others. I would have liked to climb the mountain myself but we chose a very bad day for the railroad. Practically ZERO visibility on top. Now the good stuff: what a great tour guide up the mountain. I talked with him for a while and got to know him. Great tour, great job and amazing going up the train and leaning forward. The mountaintop was amazing. The wind was punishing and I had to clean my glasses so much due to condensation. Couple questions: Why the mad rush on top? I would have loved to spend a couple hours up there. But my train came up at one point and I had to go back on the train in one hour. I had no time to do anything. I wrote a postcard and sent it to my nephew, sure but other than that I had no time and I was rushed by everyone in my group. I guess if I hike up I can spend as much time as I want up there?! The way down the mountain was also really nice. The tour guide I thought was reading from a script but my family all agreed she was spouting these things off of the top of her head. Well versed and knowledgeable about all kinds of things. The female "brake person" was informative and fascinating. The end was nice, I spent some time in the gift shop at the bottom and in the learning area too. Overall, even though it was expensive it was an unforgettable experience being on top of Mount Washington via a relatively easy method. A mountaineer was asked once why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest? This famous alpine climber responded: Because it's there. I was struck with the same question: WHY did someone make this cog railway? Perhaps the builder, dreamer and entrepreneur would respond: Because I can. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - Here's the summit with about zero visibility. - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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I initially thought about driving up to the top of Mt. Washington, but decided against it when I found out it was bad on brakes. If you are apprehensive about driving (or hiking) up to the top then the Cog Railway is a great move. It's a little more expensive than a standard van option, but going up the mountain on the cog train is a really cool and worthwhile experience. Admission will run you around $70 PP. Right now seats are spaced out on the train due to covid, so ticket sales are limited. There is a train every hour though, so it's not hard to snag a reservation. The ride is 45 minutes each way and then you spend 45 minutes up at the top. 45 minutes is more than enough time. Don't forget to snap a photo by the iconic sign! We visited in the middle of summer and had a warm clear day, but be mindful that it can get pretty chilly and windy at the summit. The train departs in and out of a large base station that has clean bathrooms, a snack bar and a gift shop. It's a good place to change into warmer clothes or grab a drink / snack for the train. Our tour guide was great. Super knowledgeable and passionate and shared some really fun stories and facts as he guided us up and down the mountain. Don't forget cash for a tip! read more

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A unique experience that blends practicality with history. Climb to the top of Mt Washington in just 45 minutes thanks to ingenuity from the 1800s. You'll pass through many different climates on the way up and at the top guests are given an hour to explore the visitor center, weather museum, mountain peak and have lunch in the cafeteria. Staff on the trains are highly knowledgeable and very enthusiastic about the operation of the railway. I was impressed with their dedication and safety culture. A must see in New Hampshire! read more

We had so much fun going to the cog railway. We went in mid November and really enjoyed ourselves. Everyone working there was so informative and nice. The little museum inside was interesting. We were able to grab a souvenir from the gift shop. Overall, a great experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone! read more

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We booked this trip for our train loving six year old son. We thought the idea of getting out and having a fire to cook hotdogs was a great way to spend the day. We decided to our non train loving daughter would enjoy the experience sense Santa was to appear. Areas for improvement... In the winter they do not use the advertised steam trains and instead use a diesel. We you will not have an oprtunity to to cook the hotdogs or brats in the time given. They said we would have a half hour with they then shaved to 25 min at the "top". My watch showed we spent 21 min off the train. The Santa was just a guy in a suit without so much as a Ho Ho Ho. He just say on the train and avoided the children. I understand the winter restricts the train ride but it wasn't a trip up the mountain and really more of a short distance up a slope. All in all I do not recommend this trip in the winter. read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - A short walk up the hill. - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

It was ok. Our ticket was at 3 and we arrived at 2 hoping to get something to eat from the cafe. There was no hot food. Ok fine, it was 2. When asked, the cashier was incredibly rude, saying "just whatever's over there" waving her hand without even looking up from her phone. She was also rude checking out our overpriced instant noodles, then immediately went back to her phone. They say one thing can ruin an experience and this one nearly did. The ride itself was decent. Guide had a lot to say. Cool 37.5 degree inclines. The conductor was a bit late so we started boarding around 3:05 instead of 2:45. Is it worth it? At nearly $100 per ticket it's a strong MAYBE. I would try it once, but if my friend wants to try it next time I would just drive to the summit and meet him there. The diesel cog engine is interesting but you don't have to pay to look at that. We went during peak foliage season and fortunately the weather was clear (ish), which I hear is not typical. read more

I feel myself crazy for doing this during thanksgiving time when the wind chill was -24 F. Cog railway provides you a very unique experience of a yesteryear train ride on one of the steepest railroad moving in the slowest possible way so that you reach even a colder place where you may experience difficulty in breathing. We were offered complimentary hot chocolate and doughnut. I was not wearing a pair of gloves (I don't know why I left it back home) and I didn't trust the hot chocolate to be hot enough to keep my hands warm. But when Mr. and Ms. Santa Clause offered me a token, I took out off my hoodie and took a picture with them. Now, why we took the ride? Simply because we wanted to see how snow capped high altitude mountains look like. Snow has its own beauty and humans have an acquired taste in it. read more

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If you are ever in New Hampshire and are looking for something to do, this is definitely a must do. We visited the state for a few days and did not necessarily have a plan about what we wanted to do. We picked up a few pamphlets about things to do and as soon as I saw this, I knew I wanted to visit this place. So glad we decided to do so. The Cog Railway is about a 45 minute ride up Mount Washington. While at the observatory you can visit a museum and take in the view-it is magnificent. You can see Marine, Vermont, Canadá the Atlantic and obviously New Hampshire all on a clear day, which we had. Unfortunately the museum was not open when we visited but we still had an excellent time. Great pictures and great scenery! read more

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An absolute MUST if you dig trains, history and spectacular scenery. This was my 2nd visit in 30+ years but just as memorable as my first. This is a very well run operation from online ticketing to boarding, the running narrative and, most of all, safety. As a railfan I'm not used to 38% grades but I felt very secure seeing the locos, cars and track supports up close. Spotlessly maintained. It's not by chance this privately held RR turns a profit Fares are not cheap unless booked well in advance but the trip is well worth it whatever the weather. Great little museum in the base station will give you and appreciation of what a technological achievement this was for the 1860's! read more

The Mount Washington Cog Railway - The Cog RR fabricates everything itself on site: tracks, rack and even locomotives - Local Flavor Near Me - Mount Washington, New Hampshire

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We had a great morning/afternoon on the railway. During covid making a reservation online is key due to limited capacity on the trains. We loved the museum before the ride which had a great history of the trains and tracks. The gift shop was super cute. We traveled up and stopped at Waumbeck for free coffee and donuts. Our brakeman who traveled in the car up and down with us was full of information and very interesting. Great pics from the trip at elevations and not at all scary even though my husband was super worried about the heights and grade going up. read more

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Wow. This was an amazing outing. We came to Mount Washington for a long weekend and to attend a friend's wedding. As an outing for the people attending the wedding, we all went up Mount Washington via the Cog Railway. The ride was about an hour up, an hour to explore the top, and an hour back down. We were blessed with a gorgeous day. The top of the mountain was covered in clouds, which is common. However on our way up, all the clouds disappeared for enough time for us to take in the beauty. The weather was great, but obviously this business cannot control that. We found the location easy to get to, clean, informational, friendly staffed, and great fun! Note - it is colder and windier at the top. Dress accordingly! read more

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