Mount Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire

Oct 19

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSteam trips run in the warmer months; check thecog.com for the current schedule

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world, carrying riders from Marshfield Base Station to the summit of New England's highest peak on a Marsh rack system.

First mountain-climbing cog railway
Average grade of 25 percent
Two century-old steam engines
Seven biodiesel locomotives built on site
Summit of New England's highest peak

Mount Washington Cog Railway at a glance

Hours: Seasonal schedule; check thecog.com for train times
Admission: Fares not posted here; book and check prices on thecog.com
Train rides: Cog train trips to the summit; steam trips in warmer months
Best for: Families, mountain lovers and steam fans
Parking: At Marshfield Base Station, 6 miles off Route 302

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

Follow Mount Washington Cog Railway

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Mount Washington Cog Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Bretton Woods.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

The railway P.T. Barnum called the second greatest show

In 1869 the showman P.T. Barnum stepped off the train on the rocky summit of Mount Washington and declared the view "the second greatest show on Earth," leaving first place to his own circus. More than 150 years later, the Cog still carries passengers up the highest mountain in the Northeast. It was the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, using a Marsh rack and pinion system to grip the track, and with an average grade of 25 percent and short stretches close to 38 percent, it is also the second steepest.

Most trains today are pushed by a fleet of seven biodiesel locomotives, each one custom designed, built and maintained at the railway's own shops. In a nod to where it all began, the railway also keeps two coal-fired steam engines in service during the warmer months, both well over a century old. Season dates, train times and fares change, so check thecog.com before you plan your day.

From Marshfield Base Station to 6,288 feet

Trips start at Marshfield Base Station on the western side of the mountain, 6 miles east of Route 302 near the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. The Base Station Road drive opens up views of the Presidential Range, and Upper Ammonoosuc Falls, a rocky cascade and popular swimming hole, sits just off the road. Moose and bears are sometimes seen along the way.

At the top, Mount Washington State Park's Sherman Adams Visitor Center holds the Mount Washington Observatory's working weather station and its Extreme Mount Washington museum, which brings the mountain's winter conditions to summer visitors with hands-on exhibits. The Observatory offers tours of the weather station, booked at least 45 minutes ahead. Summit facilities are generally open mid-May to mid-October.

Don’t miss

The coal-fired steam enginesTwo steam locomotives, each more than a century old, still climb the mountain in the warmer months.
The Marsh rack systemThe toothed rail between the running rails is what lets a train climb grades near 38 percent.
Extreme Mount Washington museumThe Observatory's summit museum uses hands-on exhibits to show what winter is like at the top.
Upper Ammonoosuc FallsA rocky cascade a few yards off Base Station Road, worth a photo stop on the drive in.

Big engines, a steep climb and summit weather

Kids who love engines can watch the locomotives push trains up grades of 25 percent and more, and on warmer days the coal-fired steam engines add smoke and noise. At the summit, the Extreme Mount Washington museum has hands-on exhibits about the mountain's harsh weather. Summit weather can be very different from the base, so pack warm layers even in summer. The railway does not post age guidance online; check its FAQ page before you book with very young children.

Plan your visit: tips for Mount Washington Cog Railway

Book tickets online at thecog.com before you go.
Bring warm layers: the summit is home to famously harsh weather.
Stop at Upper Ammonoosuc Falls on Base Station Road.
Watch for moose and bears on the drive in.

Who builds the engines

The railway designs, builds and maintains its locomotives at its own base, and keeps its two historic steam engines in running order. On the summit, the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory runs the weather station and museum and partners with the Cog on school field trips; buying a Cog ticket through the Observatory's website helps support its work.

Pair the mountain with a valley train

The Conway Scenic Railroad is about 18 miles away and runs heritage trains through Crawford Notch and the valley. About 24 miles southwest in Lincoln, the Hobo Railroad and Clark's Bears and its White Mountain Central Railroad make good stops with younger kids. Find more in our guide to train museums and rides in New Hampshire.

Every train museum in New Hampshire

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform reaches out a hand so Rally can climb aboard. I think about that when I picture a train tipped up a mountain this steep, where a steady hand from the crew would feel extra kind. My mom loved simple moments like that, and she is the one who dreamed up Rally's trip before she died in 2021. You can read how it became a book on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Mount Washington Cog Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Mount Washington Cog Railway: 20 questions before you ride

How much are Mount Washington Cog Railway tickets?

The railway does not publish fares on the Observatory pages that describe it, so check current prices and book on thecog.com. Prices can differ by date and by train type, such as steam or biodiesel, so look at the exact day you want. Buying a ticket through the Mount Washington Observatory's website also helps support the Observatory.

Are there senior or discount tickets for the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Senior rates and discounts are not posted on the pages describing the railway here. Check the ticketing page on thecog.com, where any current senior pricing or online offers would appear, or contact the railway through its website before you buy.

Is there a Mount Washington Cog Railway promo code?

No promo codes are listed on the railway's information pages. The safest way to buy is directly through thecog.com, which shows the real price for each date. Avoid third-party codes you cannot confirm, and check the railway's own site for any current offers.

Can you buy a one-way ticket on the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

One-way ticket options are not described on the pages covering the railway here. Hikers who want to ride up or down should check the ticket options on thecog.com or ask the railway directly before planning a one-way trip on the mountain.

Can you buy Mount Washington Cog Railway tickets online?

Yes. The railway sells tickets online at thecog.com, and the Mount Washington Observatory also links to Cog ticket booking from its own website, where purchases help support the Observatory. Booking ahead is a good idea in summer and fall.

What is the Mount Washington Cog Railway schedule?

The Cog runs on a seasonal schedule, and its century-old steam engines operate in the warmer months. Departure times change by day, so check the schedule on thecog.com for the date you want, including on the day of your trip. Summit facilities at Mount Washington State Park are generally open mid-May to mid-October.

Is the Mount Washington Cog Railway open?

The railway operates seasonally, and its summit stop depends on Mount Washington State Park, which is generally open mid-May to mid-October and closes in winter. Check thecog.com for the current season and today's trains before you drive to the base station.

Does the Mount Washington Cog Railway still run a steam train?

Yes. Alongside its seven biodiesel locomotives, the railway keeps a pair of coal-fired steam engines, both more than a century old, running in the warmer months. Steam trips are a nod to the railway's 1800s beginnings, so check thecog.com for which trips use steam.

Where is the Mount Washington Cog Railway base station?

Marshfield Base Station is on the western side of Mount Washington, 6 miles east of Route 302 near the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. You reach it on Base Station Road, which has views of the Presidential Range and passes Upper Ammonoosuc Falls.

Is there parking at the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Visitors drive to Marshfield Base Station at the end of Base Station Road, 6 miles in from Route 302. Parking details and any fees are not posted on the pages here, so check thecog.com before you go, especially on busy summer and foliage weekends.

What is Waumbek station on the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Waumbek station is not described on the pages covering the railway here. The main stops named are Marshfield Base Station at the bottom and the summit at the top. For details on stations along the line, see the railway's FAQ page at thecog.com.

How steep is the Mount Washington Cog Railway, and is it scary?

The Cog climbs at an average grade of 25 percent, with some sections close to 38 percent, making it the second steepest cog railway. That steepness is part of the thrill, and the train grips a toothed rack rail the whole way. Riders nervous about heights may want to read the railway's FAQs first.

Is the Mount Washington Cog Railway safe?

The railway uses a Marsh rack and pinion system, in which a toothed gear on the engine meshes with a toothed rail, and it builds and maintains its locomotives on site. For questions about past incidents or safety practices, the railway's own FAQ page at thecog.com is the right place to look.

What is the weather like on the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Summit weather can be extreme. The Mount Washington Observatory, which runs a weather station at 6,288 feet, calls the mountain the home of the world's worst weather. Check the Observatory's summit forecast on the day you ride and bring warm layers, even in summer.

Is the Mount Washington Cog Railway worth it?

For train lovers, riding the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway up New England's highest peak is a rare experience. On a clear day you get views of the Presidential Range, and the summit has the Observatory's Extreme Mount Washington museum. Choose a clear forecast if you can.

Is the Mount Washington Cog Railway dog friendly?

The railway does not state a pet policy on the pages describing it here. Check the FAQ page on thecog.com or contact the railway before bringing a dog, and plan an alternative in case pets are not allowed on board.

What can you do at the top of Mount Washington after the Cog Railway?

The summit's Sherman Adams Visitor Center in Mount Washington State Park holds the Observatory's Extreme Mount Washington museum, with hands-on exhibits about winter on the mountain. Tours of the working weather station are also offered and must be booked at least 45 minutes in advance.

When did the Mount Washington Cog Railway open?

The railway has been carrying passengers for more than 150 years. P.T. Barnum rode it in 1869 and called the summit view the second greatest show on Earth. For a full history of the line, the railway's own website at thecog.com is the best source.

Can school groups take field trips on the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

Yes. The Mount Washington Observatory offers field trips to its summit weather station in partnership with the Cog Railway. Cog ticket fees are separate from the Observatory's program fees. Teachers can request information through the Observatory's education pages.

What train rides are near the Mount Washington Cog Railway?

The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway is about 18 miles away, with heritage rides through the valley and Crawford Notch. In Lincoln, about 24 miles away, the Hobo Railroad and Clark's Bears with its White Mountain Central Railroad are good choices with young children.

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Kelsey Cecil