The Mount Washington Cog Railway

We went in off season but it was one of the best experience. In season you could get up to top with enjoying views but it was winter full of snow so we went up to 4000 feet if Im remembering it correctly. Highly recommend booking tickets online and definitely reach there before boarding time. There’s a sweet man on the coach who gives you all the information via microphone about surroundings, train and everything. So pretty. It was total of 55 minutes, We reached top in 15 minutes and then we got out for about 20-25 minutes. They have free hot coffee, hot chocolate and marshmallows. Enjoy that and go back down. It was a great experience definitely worth the time and money.

The cog railway is spectacular in the wintertime! It was so cool riding up the snowy mountainside while skiers and snowboarders rode down the mountain alongside the tracks. The trains only go about halfway up during the winter, but they stop at Waumbek Station for scenic views and free hot chocolate and marshmallows. We had clear weather and could see westward for miles! Highly recommend reserving seats in row 1 if you can, it’ll give you a clear view ahead on the way up.

The whole experience felt super laid-back, and the staff were genuinely friendly, like the kind of people who actually seem happy to be there, which just makes the whole trip better. The history of the railway itself is very rich and the railway and design are all original. The cabin host gives a great overview of the history and mechanics of the railway on your way up. If you go in the winter, just know ahead of time that the train doesn’t go all the way to the summit of Mt. Washington. Instead, it stops at a station partway up the mountain. Even so, the views are still awesome, classsic New Hampshire scenery with snowy trees, big open sky, and that kind of quiet, crisp mountain vibe that makes you breathe a little deeper. One of my favorite parts was the fire pit at the stop, where they hand out complimentary marshmallows to roast. It’s such a small thing but it totally adds to the cozy, wintery feel. Overall, it was a chill, fun trip with good vibes all around. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area.

This was a terrific experience, even in the off season where they only go half way up. Views were phenomenal, the brake man was very informative. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Of note, if you go during season, you do go all the way to the top and the views are supposed to be extensive, but know that you will be packed in like sardines.

This was a fantastic experience- this group is well organized and well trained. They were informative as well as entertaining- we had a great day on the train and at the top of mount washington. Views are 360 degrees spectacular. The cog train is so unique and an engineering marvel- don’t miss the exhibit at the base station - so interesting. The seats flip over so you are facing forward in both directions- the better view is on the left side of the train going up the mountain. Would HIGHLY recommend this trip- well worth the money.

This was a cool experience. I do think $100 per person was a little too expensive especially when you have a family. However, we didn’t regret doing it. You will learn about the history of the cog as you go up and return back down. Once at the top of Mount Washington, you will have about an hour to hangout before the next cog returns to bring you back down the mountain. Check the weather, it is drastically different from the bottom to the top. We live in a state with mountain ranges that are higher than Mount Washington. This was still very cool to do and better than expected. I gave the experience a 5 but not the price.

What a fun day we had. My son loves train and he couldn’t wait to experience the cog on the mount Washington. It was definitely worth the money: $89/adult, $61/child. We got super lucky: clear skies. The views were mesmerizing. Once you reach the summit, you can spend 1 hour walking around and taking pictures. There’s also a cafe and lots of restrooms. Just remember to bring some warm clothes, it can get very cold at the summit. It was 77 when we went there, but the summit had a windchill of 40.

$100 per person. Recommend selecting seats of C,D and E for better view and towards locomotive. Hopped on final service and sunset was amazing on way back.. ok but if the Auto road have same scenic area view , $500 is not worth it for group of 5. Don’t know about Auto road. But this is good great view and great great staff . Always take your jackets for summit

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

Great trip. This is not a good thing to do with infants! Remember the pressure in your ears from altitude requires you to clear it. One young child started crying 5 minutes into the tide and never stopped. Children too young to listen and focus on the distant scenery, but instead play with seats and windows, will not make for a pleasant day. Remember, when you get to the top, it is rocky and difficult to walk some areas.

We had a amazingly clear day on the mountain. Could see 50 miles or so from the peak. Yeah it was expensive, but worth it.

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!

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.

I rate this 5 star cause I been here and although it was snowing beginning to become spring although it was a great experience being on A train that takes you all the way towards the mountains and it was cool that we got to roast marshmallows sadly that time we didn't go on a full railway experience cause of cold weather. You if you do go to this wonderful amazing place to tour mt washington high high up and go during the fall probably or spring or summer to do this so the experience becomes more exciting PLEASE PLEASE COME HERE ( if you like trains and exploring new places in New England.

Fun time with family. Really cool to walk up and down the cars and sitting in the dining area.

Pretty cool experience. We got lucky with the weather and the views were stunning. You can get to the Mt. Washington summit via road, rail and hike. Each is a special experience on its own, but the rail is definitely unique. The brakemen are very knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic to interact. You get to spend about an hour at the summit before returning, which is just about enough to experience the views. Would recommend adding this to your todo list if you're in the area.

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!

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.

Definitely an amazing and unique experience! The price is steep like the railway, but worth it. We were lucky to go on a day when the weather was unusually good for Mt. Washington (40F temperature on the summit, 25 mph wind, clear skies). Visibility was 80 miles at the top and our guide said that on the best days one can see 130 miles away. The train ride up takes about 45 minutes (the ride down is slightly faster) and you have about an hour on top of the mountain. Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave an interesting running commentary about the history of the railway and the sights on the way up. On the steepest part of the ride, the front of the train car will be 14 feet higher or lower than the back. Tip: Sit on the left side of the train (you'll be on the same side going up and down. The views are much better). Be aware that if you go early or late in the season (we went in the month of my name) the visitor center on top of the mountain may not be open, so you'll be spending an hour in the weather. If the building is closed the only bathroom facilities on top of the mountain are porta-potties. The visitor center at the base of the railway has a small museum showing the history of the railway, a gift shop, a restaurant, and real bathrooms.

The ride on the railroad was nice, different and fortunate for us the sky was clear. They had some type of monitor telling us the temperature on the mountain. My husband and I really enjoyed our experience. The government is now ownership of the railway, hence the prices.

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!

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!

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.

The journey was awesome! BUT, when we got up to the top, we only got to stay for like 45m. Then there was a huge line, so when we got out of that line, we had 5m left before we had to go back down the mountain.

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!

Unique experience. It was a very warm day at the bottom of the mountain. And winding and cool at the top. There was some type of monitor at check in informing us of the temperature on top of the mountain. We were fortunate to have visual able weather. The railway is pricey, hence the government!

One of the best days! The train ride was fun and educational. Being on top of Mt. Washington was an experience in itself. The gift shops are great!!

We were really looking forward to doing this and it turned out to be just okay. I guess I'm glad we did it but would never ever do it again. We were there in October and booked the steam engine. You pay more for the steam and I don't think it was worth paying extra money. We purchased tickets on-line to ride and picked out our assigned seats choosing to sit on the side with only 2 seats so I would be able to take pictures and not bother a 3rd person. I wrongly assumed that I would have a different view on the way down but that is not the case. You will be on the same side on the way up as you are on the way down so if you want to take scenic pictures, sit on the side that seats 3 people. They should tell you that when you are booking your tickets online. Our 4:30 pm departure became 5:00 pm and we were asked if we wanted to spend the entire hour at the top or come back after a half hour. Every single person in our car said we wanted to come back after 30 minutes so we wouldn't miss the sunset. We came back after an hour spent at the top in freezing conditions and totally missed the sunset. We thought we would get a warm drink at the top to pass the time away but NO that was not happening as they closed the visitor center at the top at 5pm (we were 30 minutes late getting to the top and heaven forbid they stay open until the last train arrives) and they were having an employee party inside so every train passenger (3-4 trainloads of people) was huddled out of the elements trying to stay out of the wind and cold. Our guide aka the Brakeman didn't really tell us much as the microphone wasn't working. When he did talk, we couldn't hear him as we were seated midway through the rail car.

This is a must do attraction if you visit New Hampshire. We visited during the near peak fall foliage season and it was so beautiful. The scenery along the route is amazing. The train takes you from the base to the summit of Mount Washington. We took the round trip biodiesel train. On the way back, the train had a mechanical problem and we were stuck mid-way for about 45 minutes. Everyone was in good spirits so it wasn't bad at all. Another engine was brought in and we were on the way again. To my surprise, the railway compensated each passenger with a rain check to be used for the next trip. I certainly will take the train again next trip to New Hampshire.

Overall my trip on the Mount Washington Cog railway was okay, but that was mainly due to weather, which is no fault of the operators themselves. The trip up was cool, I loved the factual narration given to us by Terry, but we couldn't see all that much due to the fogginess of the car's windows which is expected in rainy conditions. Overall, my 3 star review lies in the lack of transparency on Mt Washington Cog Railway's part. I purchased my tickets a couple days in advance, but when we arrived at the station to pick up our tickets from willcall, there was absolutely no way of knowninf what the weather at the summit would be like. I've taken cable cars and vernaculars to summits in other places and I feel like there's always a screen or a live stream picturing the weather/view at the summit for "day of" travelers to decide whether or not they want to partake in that particular day. Overall I'm not angry, however in addition to the lack of transparency the website in a round-about, 14-clicks-later fashion, mentioned that the visitor center wasn't even open after Columbus Day (re: Indigenous People's Day as it should be coded on the website especially seeing as this land in particular was occupied by Natives prior to being settled) and that even if it was, that you ALSO have to buy a ticket for said visitor center, which is kindof shady. The weather was crappy, foggy, freezing and rainy, which is fine, I understand that weather at this altitude is crazy and is much different than down below, but they really hid on their website that the visitor center was closed, ESPECIALLY as a means of shelter from the rain and cold. Overall that should be a "warning message" when you buy your tickets after the aforementioned closing date. Even if not open for the tourist access, more so literally for crazy weather shelter. Essentially we all took a couple pictures and then hung out for an hour in the one coach that they had at the summit because it was literally pouring. Again, not mad about the weather, mad that they closed the visitor center a week before the train was closed. Like why not wait one more week, when the last day for trips was October 18th? It literally makes no sense as to why they couldn't hold on for a couple more days. Overall I'd love to come again on a nicer day to be able to see the wonderful views, but I'm very disappointed about the lack of transparency about the visitor center closing. My review in no way reflects a negative light on the employees or conductors in any way; all of those individuals that we encountered were lovely.

Awesome trip and experienced the worlds worst weather roll in... who knew that would be cool. Anyone can do this and stand atop Mt Washington. It was a great experience for my family of ten. We bought tickets on site. A bit expensive for large families but still worth it to me. Bring a sweatshirt or rain jacket or both. Weather QUICKLY changes without much warning! Enjoy!!

My family and I did the Cog today for the first time. It's something I've wanted to do for years and it didn't disappoint! The weather wasn't the best (lots of fog and wind), but we were able to get to the summit just fine. We had Andy as a guide and he was excellent, kind, and very informative. Thank you for a wonderful (long awaited) experience!!

Do you love beautiful scenery? High altitudes? Wonderful experiences? Friendly staff? This is the place for you!!! Loved our experience riding the Cog Railway! Seating was limited because of Covid, so you could only sit in groups of two. I would suggest to make reservations online because of this. It was a bit pricier to ride the steam engine one, and wayyyyy slower, but so worth it! We learned so much from our brakeman (I don't remember his name but he looked like a guy from Metallica)! He was great! They don't drop you off at the exact summit, just below. It's a short hike up a rocky path, maybe 100ft in total, if that, to reach the exact summit. Super easy. Don't forget your jacket for the top. It was super windy! I mean... SUPER windy! There are restrooms at the bottom and top, as well as cafes and gift shops in both places. Dog friendly... we had several canine passengers on our train. Handicapped-accessible, as much as possible for a train... a bit difficult to board, but people are there to help board and cross the tracks.

If you are in the area, the Cog Railway is a must do stop! Great staff, beautiful views! In the winter months, you ride the car to the top & stop for some coffee, hot cocoa, marshmallows & nicely lit fires. What a fantastic unique opportunity!

Unfortunately we saw nothing due to the cloud cover In addition it was freezing cold at the top of the mountain. The people on the train were informative . I did not enjoy this excursion,

A couple of things to know: plan ahead if you are coming from any distance. The trains will leave on time if not a couple of minutes early. There is no assigned seating, so arrive early so your party can reasonably sit together. I did this trip for the 1st time in July 2017 and bought tickets ahead of time for the first excursion of the day, which is the steam trip. It sells out in advance; do not expect walk up seats available for the steam train. The other trains are biodiesel powered. Recommended purchase is the way to go. Your receipt will double as your boarding pass so don't forget to bring it with you. Bring a layer of clothing for the Summit. At the Marshfield Base Station it was 65 degrees and sunny in mid July. An hour later when we arrived, it was 55 degrees and foggy. To get a clear sunny day is a rarity; I believe they get less than 20 days like it a year because of the convergence of three weather systems here. The Observatory Museum and the Tip Top house are must sees. The gift shops at the Summit have a good selection of Mt Washington-based souvenirs, while the base station has more items about the Cog. You will have an hour to get in as much sightseeing as possible before the train boards for the descent. If you get the chance for a photo at the 6288' marker, be careful as the footing will require you to step on and over some rocks and boulders. I recommend decent footwear at a minimum at the Summit. Our brakeman for the ride up was great. Very knowledgeable. It is a lot of work on the engineer, fireman, and brakeman to get these excursions to the top. They are to be commended.

I am disappointed in the Cog Railroad management. The main building is a mess. Trash cans were overflowing, trash was on the floor, tables were not being cleaned, and the bathrooms were filthy. Here we are in a pandemic and there seemed to be no interest in keeping the base station clean. Moving on to the train itself, people are rubbing against each other they are crammed in so tight, with the windows all closed such that they are steaming up, and no one was wearing a mask. You guys can do better!

If you're like me, someone born in the early 60's, there's a chance your parents were too afraid (and cheap) to take you on the Cog Railway. Well, now is your chance to enjoy the most fun train experience ever! It safer than ever, and although your parents might not think so, you do not need to worry. Definitely pay a little extra and reserve seats on the steam train option! If you book a clear day, that's an added bonus but you'll love this ride even if it sends you into the clouds. The steam train requires stops at the water tower on the way and watching the brakeman do his stuff on the way back down is so interesting! They let you get up and walk around which really makes the trip fun, try to get seats closest to the engine (higher numbered seats?), all the action is back there and you can walk up to the front and take peaks out the front view as well. This ride is expensive but worth every penny!

As a train enthusiast, this was a must do for me, and I'm glad it lived up to my expectations! We bought our tickets well in advance and unfortunately chose the "wrong" side of the train - you want to be on the left side (seats C, D, E); the views are better on that side. Regardless, we really enjoyed the ride and the time we were given to explore the summit. As some other reviewers mention, the benches are pretty tight on the right (A,B) side, so if you have a lot of gear with you like we did because the summit was supposed to be 30deg cooler and windy than the base station, you may want to keep that in mind.

Loved it! Steep for sure but worth it. Windy in top - pack a sweatshirt! Went in Aug and it was 75 at the bottom and 55 on the top which was warm for the time of year.

We took the Cog railroad up and down Mount Washington and it was a great experience. On the way up Tom our brakeman was very entertaining and gave us a good education about the Cog and Mount Washington. Ride up took about 45 minutes and we were given 1 hour at the peak which was more than enough. Be sure to take Tom's advice and head to the peak sign to take a photo first so you don't get stuck waiting in line at the end of the hour and run the risk of missing your Cog ride back down. I highly recommend the Cog if you don't want to drive or hike up to the summit of Mount Washington!!

Loved the ride up and down. I lived in NH till I was almost 40 years old and hadn't taken the trip up to the summit. It's entertaining, informative and worth the $70 dollars if you don't want to drive or hike up the mountain. Tips: 1. Get in line early and sit up front on the way up. 2. Don't miss the train down the mountain, you might have to wait the entire day to get a seat on the next available train. (They sell out). 3. The cafe on the summit only takes cash. It was 3hrs in total. Wish we had come earlier but still a great day. The autumn colors hadn't peaked but the view up top was beautiful. FYI the haze is pretty consistent and the staff said they hadn't seen the sun on the mountain in days. Just a heads up to be careful and watch weather when your picking the date. Even then the conditions change. It is Mnt. Washington! We just got lucky! Enjoy the trip!