There aren’t many Cog Railways in the USA but in this post I’ll give you a list of 4 that are still operational and worth checking out. They are all located in different states but I would recommend seeing them all because of the unique views and experiences they each present.
Here are the main Cog Railways in the USA:
- Mount Washington Cog Railway (New Hampshire)
- Pikes Peak Cog Railway (Colorado)
- Lookout Mountain Incline Railway (Tennessee)
What I’m going to do is cover each Cog Railway above and provide you with details on what to expect on the ride, the best times to go and other important info. These are also known as “rack railways” and can provide you with a great combination of awesome experiences including breathtaking sights, trips through history and much more!
Mount Washington Cog Railway:
Duration: The trip to the summit of Mount Washington and back takes about three hours. The biodiesel trip to the summit takes approximately 45 minutes. Once at the summit, visitors have an hour to explore before the return journey. In winter, shorter trips to the Skyline and Waumbek stations are offered.
Ticket prices:
- For the summit trips, biodiesel engine tickets cost $86 for adults, $63 for kids and $82 for seniors (65+).
- Steam engine trips are $99 for adults, $63 for kids, and $95 for seniors. Children under four can ride free on a lap.
- During early winter, trips to Skyline and Waumbek stations are $58 for adults and $43 for children. The dead of winter prices to Waumbek are $41 for adults and $29 for kids.
Things you’ll see: The journey offers views of the surrounding White Mountains, historical sites like Jacob’s Ladder and the Waumbek Water Tank, and the chance to explore the Sherman Adams Visitor Center and the Tip-Top House at the summit. The changing landscape from lush forests to alpine scrub and exposed rocks provides a diverse visual experience, with potential views extending to Vermont and the Atlantic Ocean on clear days! I have more info on the Mount Washington Cog Railway in my article but this is a summary of the ride.
Best times to go: Early October is my recommendation as it’s prime time for fall foliage! In additon to that, this makes it one of the most scenic train rides in New Hampshire, next to the famous Conway scenic railroad which isn’t far from it.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway:
Duration: The Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers a round trip that takes about three hours, including an hour up, 40 minutes at the summit, and an hour and ten minutes back down to the Depot. It’s recommended to plan around four hours for the entire experience, including arrival time before departure.
Ticket prices:
- Standard Admission: $58.50 for adults and $48.50 for children (online prices). Walk-up prices (buying at the station) are slightly higher at $61 for adults and $51 for children.
- Reserved Admission: $71 for adults and $61 for children (online prices). Walk-up prices are $74 for adults and $64 for children.
- Engineer’s View Admission: $81 for adults and $71 for children when booked online.
Things you’ll see: The journey on Pikes Peak Cog Railway offers stunning views from the summit of Pikes Peak, standing at over 14,000 feet. The route takes passengers through Pike National Forest, along Ruxton Creek, past Englemann Canyon, through Deer Park, and above the timberline for expansive views. Wildlife sightings may include elk, deer, yellow-bellied marmots, and one of Colorado’s largest bighorn sheep herds.
Best times to go: Year round is good, but late September is my choice because of fall foliage. This makes it one of the most colorful and best scenic train rides in Colorado.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway:
Duration: The Incline Railway operates daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and lasts approximately 10-15 minutes each way.
Ticket prices: Roundtrip ticket prices are about $15 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12). It’s recommended to book tickets online in advance due to the possibility of tickets selling out for several hours ahead.
Things you’ll see: As the railway ascends Lookout Mountain, passengers enjoy scenic views of the mountains, valleys, and Chattanooga itself. There are also many historical views once you reach the top.
Best times to go: May-October are excellent times to visit this cog railway! There’s a bunch of hiking around the area and checking out Chattanooga is also an awesome treat.
Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway (no longer operational):
I decided to include this cog railway just for informational purposes. It’s no longer operational but this was a historic cog railway in California that took passengers to the summit of Mount Tamalpais. You can still find a lot of history and other info on it.
What made this specific cog railway so special is that it provided you with amazing views of the Northern California Coastline and also took you through the Muir Woods which have tons of amazing Redwood trees. I will add that there are other scenic train rides in California that are worth taking that will also provide you with similar views like this and the top choice is the Skunk Train that’s located a few hours north of the Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway in Fort Bragg. This ride also has many Redwoods on it.