The train arrives Conventional railroads use the friction of wheels upon the rails, called adhesion, to provide locomotive power. A cog, or rack railroad uses a gear, The first trains were powered by steam and they stayed in service until the 1930's when gas and diesel locomotives took over. Today, the cog trains are pulled up the mountain with diesel powered engines. These Swiss railcars are self-contained units, powered by two Cummins diesel engines mounted underneath the seating area. Our special traveling companions on this trip were Kathy and David Ward. Kathy and Dale were college roommates Taking pictures from the train was challenging.  But we were able to get a few shots that show the incredible change in landscape in a relatively short 8.9 mile climb. Here we are above the tree line, the point on the mountain where trees no longer grow because of the perma-frost, soil that remains below freezing, inhibiting growth. Look closely and you will see where the train has been.  Looking backward, that faint horizontal line is the track! The Cog Train parked at the summit. Kathy and Dale documenting the trip to the top....evidence!  <br/> The views from the summit are breathtaking.  The day we visited was a bit cloudy, so we were unable to as far as would be possible on a clear day.  It is possible to see four states, the snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide, the cities of Denver, Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs and the historic gold camps of Cripple Creek and Victor. The end of the track! Hang on!  It's a long way down! - Dale and Kathy Ward Dale and Mark - Mark Dale - - Interestingly, the summit is fairly flat. The train is parked next to the Summit House, visitors' center. <br/>In addition to reaching the summit via the cog train, over a half million people reach the summit house every year by the Pikes Peak Highway, and Barr Trail. Back from the summit! View up the canyon from the depot.
Make Slideshows by VisualSlideshow.com v1.6