The groomed trails, running parallel to, and on either side of the railway trestle, are about one mile long and offer 1,100 vertical feet of schussing. The trails are located on land owned by The Mount Washingon Railway Company and National Forest boundaries will be clearly marked.
Starting in 2004, the Cog Railway will begin operations year round, serving tourists in summer and tourists as well as skiers in the winter. During the winter months, trains will operate between the Marshfield Station and the Waumbek Platform. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Full-day $59
Single Ride $25 (round trip or one way to access ski trails)
Ski Trains access four groomed trails: two intermediate-level and two beginner-level that run on both sides of, and parallel to, the railway track.
Marshfield Station 2,700 feet
Waumbek Platform 3,800 feet
Vertical Drop 1,100 Feet
The average annual snowfall on Mt. Washington is 256 inches. Snowmaking will be used at Marshfield Station and the lower section of trails.
Marshfield Station will serve as a base lodge for skiers and railway passengers.
Coal-fired steam engines, with tilted boilers that compensate for the uphill angle of their ascent, are designed to travel along a traditional 4.8-gauge track with a cog rack running parallel between the traditional rails. A toothed cogwheel connected to the drive shaft of the engine securely engages the rack (similar to the way a person climbs a ladder), allowing the engine to climb upward along the slope of Mt. Washington.
Each engine, staffed with an engineer and a fireman, pushes a single passenger coach that is staffed with a brakeman who is well versed in the history and operating procedures of the trains. Each ascent to Waumbek consumes one-quarter ton of soft-grade bituminous coal and 300 gallons of water. The coaches are heated and accommodate 70 passengers.
The Cog Ski Trains will make two designated stops to allow skiers to disembark at the top of the beginner runs and farther up the track at the top of the intermediate runs.
Two to three trains will run consecutively. The estimated travel time from Marshfield Station to Waumbek is 15 minutes. The maximum uphill capacity is 350 people per hour.
The Mount Washington Cog Railway operates under guidelines established by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. In addition, numerous measures are taken to ensure the safety of all passengers. Although the aesthetics of the Cog are reminiscent of the original engines and coaches, many modern technologies are employed to optimize the safety and enjoyment of passengers during each excursion. Certified, professional ski patrollers will patrol the ski trails at the Cog Railway.