Steam & Excursion > Steam at Mt. Washington

After hearing rumors of the end of steam at "The Cog" it was time for another visit. It appears the days of multiple engines in steam on the highest mountain in New England are coming to an end. From what we were told, upon completion of two more diesels (which are now being finished in the MWCR shops) steam will be used on one trip per day beginning around July 1st. All other trips will be handled by the diesels. After spending a very full day (and part of the night) around the locomotives for one last time we couldn't help but feel the very same feelings that were had by many in Roanoke in 1959: An era was coming to an end. With the loss of steam also comes the loss of many of the men who run, fire and maintain steam at Mt. Washington.
We were fortunate in finding numbers 2, 4 (with #8's tender),6 and 9 in steam on Saturday. Numbers 3 and 10 were stored serviceable in the shop.
Enjoy the photos. I'll post more if there's enough interest. Thanks for looking. Bill

1)#2 sleeps the night away at Base Station.

2)#6 in steam near the coach shop. Note number 1 "Mt. Washington" abandoned in the background.

3)#1, it's stack slowly collapsing.

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4)The remains of #8 rest out behind the shop. After having firebox work completed she was pushed out back and stripped of many parts.

5 & 6) The days Fireman, Paul Forbes, showing the "one handed" firing method used at The Cog. The cabs are quite small. A 12mm lens was necessary to capture these two images.

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7)A view out the cab near Jacob's Ladder....37.41% grade.

8)I really enjoyed the opportunity to fire for a little bit.

9)Steam passing steam as #9 goes by us at Skyline switch. Note the Brakeman relining the multiple piece switch.

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10)Number 2 departs Base Station on the last trip Saturday. I'd like to say "Thank you" to Paul Forbes for the opportunity to ride the cab and experience steam up close on Mt. Washington as the era winds down. By far the loudest, slowest locomotive I have ridden thus far.

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Too bad they're gonna take off the steam locomotives. Won't be the same, will have to make sure I get up there sometime in the next month to get pictures of the steamers left. Looks like I may have to rent a wide lens too judging from your comments.

Note to self (and the folks at Mt Washington's Cog Railroad):
Get to the Mountain at least one more time by July 1st!

Glad to hear steam will still be powering some trips though
I'll most certainly be in the car when the diesel is at the
point. Maybe the railroad could consider steam train days
or weekends to attract a good sized crowd every so often.

SUPERB photos, William, as always - you are the Cog-master!

/Mitch

These are so rare and unique. May they run forever! Peter Lerro...how 'bout chartering the whole mountain!

Keystone1 Wrote:
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> These are so rare and unique. May they run
> forever! Peter Lerro...how 'bout chartering the
> whole mountain!


We would if they would only let us turn the engine
around and locate some freight cars... kidding.

How about bio-diesel helpers?
Kidding.

Actually, Pete and crew considered a charter to
coincide with our Conway trip but the line was
not running this past Winter. One issue we'd have
to overcome would be photo locations - do you shoot
only from the base and lookout or try to follow it
on foot keeping a medi-vac on call??

/Mitch

Its interesting to note that while the Cog will go "mostly diesel" around the first of July, their web site continues to depict steam railroading!

Frederick G. Bailey

Mgoldman Wrote:
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> One issue we'd have to overcome would be photo locations - do you
> shoot only from the base and lookout or try to follow it
> on foot keeping a medi-vac on call??
>
> /Mitch

Sprained ankles are probably a bigger risk than anything heart/lung related. A group of us 40- and 50-somethings hiked up to Waumbek Tank - about a mile and 1,100 feet of gain - last October. Chris Blaszczyk apparently went even farther after I headed back, based on this photo: http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=254458 ).

Richard Stevens hiked down to Jacob's Ladder, and back to the summit, a couple of years ago as well. He tells me he didn't keel over dead.

Riding to the top and hiking back was an option pre-diesel, and still is if you like diesels.

Another Citadel of Steam vanquished.

JAC

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John, that is the photo that I wanted to get with more than couple of steamers on the mountain at the same time with tall plumes of smoke.

Excellent photo.


That kind of photo doesn't exist in their advertising literature or video they offer.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/09 10:47 by wabash2800.

What's the reasoning behind cutting back steam? Did some MBA convince them that it would cost less? (We know that.)

Have ticket sales fallen off or is the insurance getting even higher?

Many folks like the steam. They won't get any more money from me.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/28/09 10:47 by wabash2800.