Frequently asked questions.
Do you run trains year-round?
Yes! However, the Mount Washington State Park at the summit closes for the winter from mid-October thru early May. Once the Visitor Center locks up tight, there is no shelter accessible to the public up there, and it is absolutely not a safe or pleasant environment in which to be stuck outside! When the summit is closed, we run shorter trips to Skyline and Waumbek Station.
Where is Marshfield Base Station?
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is located on the western side of the mountain, and access to our base station is off of Route 302 near the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. Please be advised that some GPS navigation apps and devices still do not map our location properly and may direct you 50 miles away to Pinkham Notch/ Route 16 on the eastern side of the mountain, causing you to miss your train. For detailed directions click here.
How soon before my scheduled departure should I arrive at the Base Station?
It’s important that you arrive at the Base Station at least 45 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart. This will give you plenty of time to pick up your tickets, grab a drink or a snack at the food court, explore the museum, browse the gift shop and use the restroom. There are no restrooms on the trains, but there are facilities at the Base Station, at Waumbek Station, and at the Summit building.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. All trains leave promptly on schedule– we cannot wait for late passengers. If you miss your train, we will always do everything possible to move your reservation to the next scheduled train, if seating is available.
How long is the trip?
The round trip to the summit and back is just under 3 hours. Our biodiesel-powered trains make the climb up to 6288’ in approximately 45 minutes. The steam engines are a bit slower and must stop once to take on water, so the same trip on the steamer is closer to an hour. Passengers will leave the train and lay over at the summit for approximately one hour before returning to the base station. In the winter, round trips to Skyline are roughly 90 minutes, and Waumbek trips are 1 hour.
How should I dress for the trip?
The summit of Mount Washington has a well-earned reputation for having the world’s worst weather, and even in the middle of summer, conditions above tree line are significantly colder and windier (and sometimes wetter) than those at the base station.
Rain, snow and ice occur throughout the year, so you should always bring a waterproof jacket or poncho and a hat.
The ground around the summit facility is mostly gravel and granite boulders, so visitors will be most comfortable in walking or hiking shoes or sneakers rather than flip-flops or light sandals.
We do discourage the use of umbrellas due to high wind gusts.
Winter trips to Waumbek Station include a short layover, and guests are invited to leave the train for about a half hour. Remember to dress appropriately for winter conditions, including warm, sturdy footwear.
If you are riding one of our authentic coal-fired steam trains, you will experience coal smoke and cinders that may soil your clothing, so please dress accordingly.
Where are Platforms A, B, C and D?
We usually dispatch several trains at the same time, and the trains are lined up in the order of departure each hour. The platforms are clearly marked. Platform A is all the way to the right as you are looking at the trains, platforms B, C and D follow in order. When multiple trains are dispatched, our steam train is always last in line behind the diesels.
Are your trains fully accessible?
Our Base Station building and the Mount Washington State Park Visitor Center at the summit are both fully accessible. However, our passenger coaches are historic in design, with three steps up to the boarding deck, narrow aisles and doorways. Mobility-impaired guests must be capable of transferring from their wheelchair– by themselves or with assistance from others in their party– to their assigned seat on the coach. You can find more information here.
If the weather is bad, do you still run trains?
Yes! We run trains safely in all weather conditions year-round, but high winds, ice, and snow occur above tree line throughout the year. Very occasionally, severe weather (generally sustained wind speeds at the summit exceeding 60-70mph) will force the temporary closure of the Auto Road and the State Park summit facilities. Whenever indoor shelter is not available at the summit, trains will terminate at either of two alternate destinations:
Skyline
Skyline is an area above tree line at an elevation of approximately 5500’. Clear conditions provide spectacular views of the Northern Presidentials, the western face of the summit cone and the Mount Washington Observatory. Trains will remain at Skyline for approximately 10 minutes. Passengers may be permitted to come out onto the front platform to take pictures, but must remain on the train while at Skyline. Round trips to Skyline are approximately 90 minutes, at reduced fares.
Waumbek
In the colder months, once the summit facilities are closed for the season, all trains terminate at Waumbek Station. Waumbek is located in an alpine meadow just below 4000’ and provides stunning views to the north and west. Passengers are permitted to leave the train for about 25 minutes to enjoy complimentary hot refreshments, warming huts and a fire pit. Round trips to Waumbek are roughly 1 hour, at reduced fares.
Weather, heavy passenger volume or equipment problems occasionally cause service delays or disruptions, but we do our absolute best to maintain our schedule at all times. Passengers should remember to bring warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear– weather at the summit is always different than at lower elevations.
I’m coming from out of state. Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are not required, however, we have limited capacity and most trains sell out in advance. We also have assigned seating, so we highly recommend making reservations if you want to choose a particular seat or stick to a certain schedule.
We experience very high demand on the weekends, holidays, school breaks and Fall foliage season. There is also tremendous demand for the steam trains. If you plan on visiting us during those peak periods or wish to ride on the steam train, reservations are highly recommended as trains can be sold out weeks in advance.
Do you offer discount fares for large groups?
Yes! Discount fares may be available for bus tours, corporate events, school and camp field trips, etc., traveling on off-peak dates only. Eligible groups must have at least 20 or more ticketed passengers, and must reserve their seats under contract at least 45 days prior to departure. For complete information, please contact our Group Sales manager.
I’d like to hike to the summit and ride the train back down. Why can’t I buy a one-way ticket from the summit to the Base Station in advance?
Reaching the summit of Mount Washington on foot is a wonderful experience, but it’s a climb, not a walk in the woods, and it is difficult. In the best conditions, strong hikers might make it to the top in two hours, average hikers could take between four and five hours, and some will even take much longer. The return hike can take just as long and is nearly as difficult. Hikers should never assume that train tickets will be available for the descent. If you hike to the summit, you must always be physically and mentally prepared to hike back down.
Complicating matters, Mount Washington is renowned for its severe and unpredictable weather, and conditions often deteriorate rapidly from pleasant to life-threatening. Because the Railway operates on a strict schedule and the vast majority of our passengers pay for and reserve round-trip seating, and because weather and any number of other factors may delay a hiker’s arrival at the summit, it is just not possible to guarantee a one way seat down in advance. If seats are available, down-mountain tickets must be purchased in person at the summit post office.
Most importantly, please do not attempt to climb to the summit unless you
start early
are physically fit
consult the Mount Washington Observatory’s website for higher summits forecasts and current summit conditions before attempting the climb.
Are well equipped with warm, waterproof clothing, proper hiking boots or shoes, and appropriate maps or trail guides
bring sufficient food and water for a 10-12 hour round trip excursion. There may be no access to potable water on trails, but water stations are available at the Base Station, summit, and AMC huts.
Do not assume that cell service will be available anywhere on the mountain in the event of an emergency.
purchase a Hike Safe card from New Hampshire Fish and Game, which insures you against the cost of a search and rescue operation.
Pay close attention to weather forecasts and advisories from the Mount Washington Observatory– they are the best predictor of conditions.
“bailout” by returning to the Base Station as quickly as possible if the weather becomes threatening, especially when you are fully exposed to the elements above tree line. Most tragic outcomes on the mountain occur when hikers ignore or underestimate the severity of the weather and the difficulty of the terrain. That cannot be emphasized strongly enough.
understand that the summit Visitor Center and the Auto Road both close temporarily in high wind or other severe weather conditions, and train operations will be limited to Waumbek, Skyline or curtailed altogether. That means that the only way off the summit in severe weather is by foot.
Do not ride the Cog Railway off the mountain unless you climbed to the summit from the WEST on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail or the Jewell Trail. Trailheads and parking lots for the Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail and other popular routes are located on the EAST side of the mountain near Pinkham Notch and the entrance to the Mount Washington Auto Road, and are at least 50 miles away from our Base Station. Taxi service is expensive and unreliable.
Here is an excellent Beginner’s Guide to Hiking in the White Mountains, from the Appalachian Mountain Club
General Information
The Mount Washington Cog Railway is open year-round, although the State Park facilities at the summit are closed to casual visitors from late October through early May. When indoor shelter is not available, or if the summit is inaccessible due to severe weather, our trains terminate at lower elevations.
Throughout the season, the Cog hosts events and offers various specials and discounts on select trains.
A calendar providing train departure times can be found on our train schedule page. We strongly suggest you book your tickets in advance because capacity is limited and trains sell out on a routine basis. You may purchase tickets at the ticket office, but advance ticket purchase is recommended and available online up to the departure time of any train. Buy Tickets Online here.
All schedules, fares and motive power (steam or biodiesel locomotives) are subject to change without notice. Rarely, trips may be shortened due to extreme weather without advance notice. In this event, passengers will be provided with a credit toward the purchase price of their ticket. See our Terms of Use on our Buy Tickets page for more details.
Refund and cancellation policies, as well as other general ticket information can be found here.
Children under 4 years of age, sitting on a ticketed adult’s lap, always ride-free.
The Cog Railway primarily operates clean, environmentally friendly and efficient biodiesel locomotives. Coal-fired steam locomotives will generally be operated twice each day. View our train schedule here.
Our coaches are historic in design, with short boarding steps and narrow door openings and aisles. However, every effort is made to accommodate special needs. Please call ahead for assistance.
Marshfield Base Station and the State Park Visitor Center at the summit are both fully accessible.
Guests with specially trained service animals are always welcome! As defined by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), “a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.”
Please be aware that the high elevation, shifting movement and sudden loud noises may have an effect on the animal. Always use your best judgment when bringing your service animal aboard.
For the safety and comfort of our guests, staff and our train crews, pets or emotional support animals (ESA's) are not permitted on our passenger coaches. Emotional support animals are not included or protected under ADA.
Coaches are heated when necessary.
Due to space restrictions, strollers, car seats, and coolers are not allowed on the train. Carry-on items must be small enough to fit on your lap.
Bear spray, pepper spray and other pressurized irritants are prohibited on our passenger coaches at all times.
Smoking is not permitted on any train or in any of our buildings at any time.
Passengers may not carry alcohol on board at any time. (RSA 179.27)
There are no restrooms on the train. There are restroom facilities at Marshfield Base Station, at Waumbek Station, and the Mount Washington State Park visitor center at the summit.
Group Rates
Group Rates are available; please visit our Group Page for details.