12/29/2023 0 Comments Cog railway parkingThe actual laying of the track rails on the Cog Road began on June 11, 1890, and was completed four months later on October 20th. In fact, it was said that there were always three gangs of workers on the mountain – one going up the mountain, one coming down the mountain and one working on the mountain. Workers would come and go from five different camps on the mountain. Grading the railway route involved blasting hillsides made of solid granite, and then moving the debris with burros, picks, and shovels. Over a span of almost three years, from 1888 to 1891, engineers and laborers surveyed, planned, blasted, and hauled rocks and fill dirt to complete the line all the way up to the summit from the Ruxton Valley in Manitou Springs. The Manitou and Pike’s Peak Railway was the brainchild of Major John Hulbert and several well-to-do men of that era. “I Helped Build the Cog Rail” – Photo by John Potter, Courtesy of Special Collections, Pikes Peak Library) There is no shuttle service back down to the Cog Railway Depot. But….if you miss your train, it is a long and steep 8.9-mile walk down. The Cog Rail conductors will sound warning horns and the staff in the Summit House will remind you via their PA system. Remember, you only get 30-40 minutes at the summit. So, take a leisurely stroll on the top of Pikes Peak and take in the views instead. Don’t worry, there are plenty of donuts and merchandise items for everyone. Most train riders seem to want to immediately head into the Summit House on their arrival. Then, you’ll come up one last rise and reach the Summit of Pikes Peak. At approximately 13,600 feet in elevation, just below the summit, you’ll pass one of the last switchbacks on the Pikes Peak Highway. Enjoy the views above treeline for the last three miles of the rail as you pass The Saddle, Slide’s Cut and Ghost Corner. Also, keep an eye out for the Yellow-bellied Marmot. Keep your eyes focused on the hillsides as many Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep frequent this area. Reaching Windy Point on the Pikes Peak Cog Rail You’ll also be able to use this short stop to check out Minnehaha Falls.Īt Mile Marker 2, the train will successfully take on Son-of-a-Gun Hill and then proceed to the site of the former Halfway House. So during the busier summer months, the engineers use the switch at Minnehaha to allow the downhill train to safely pass the uphill train. Most of the railway to the summit is a single lane. Just after reaching Mike Marker 1, you’ll ride into Artist Glen and then into Minnehaha (elevation 8,332 ft.). The train departs Manitou Springs (elevation 6,570 ft) and follows Ruxton Creek up through Englemann Canyon. So, we’ll let them provide most of the details. The train’s conductors provide an excellent commentary along the way, including sights to see, strangely shaped and named rocks, flora and fauna and a good amount of history, too. That includes 30 to 40 minutes at the summit for eating, shopping or simply looking out at the expansive views. The round trip to the summit of Pikes Peak (8.9 miles in length) takes a little over three hours. The Trip to the Summit of Pikes Peak (when the train is operating) The two outer rails on the Cog Rail are used only to keep the train stable and pointed correctly. This cog and gear system also keeps the train from running away on the way down. So, the Cog Train uses a toothed double rail in the center of the track, which enables the train to “grab” onto something on the way up the mountain. However, due to the steep incline on this track, normal train wheels would just spin on the rails. The two outer rails on most train tracks are used to transfer power from the locomotive’s engine to the wheels and subsequently to the rails. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway uses a unique cog and gear system to power itself up the steep slopes. Close-up of the cog and rail used on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway
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