Spring 2025 Coast to Coast Magazine Digital Edition

view in every direction.

The summit of Mt. Washington is known for its unpredictable and savage weather. On April 12, 1934, the summit weather station measured wind speeds of 231 mph, the highest the world had ever seen at the time, and still the highest recorded in a manned weather station. Showing us its fickle nature during our visit, Mt. Washington’s views suddenly vanished when pea soup fog enveloped the mountaintop. On our trip back down, we passed a train that was on its way up. As we passed, we all took photos of each other out the windows. In no time, we were back at the bottom of the mountain, totally exhilarated. This is a ride that brings out the kid in everyone, and we were enchanted. If you have a chance to try any or all of these rides, we highly recommend them. Each one is special in its own way and stands out in our memories as a true highlight in our RV travels. For more Information: • Mt. Washington Cog Railway - www.thecog.com • Joseph Branch Rail Riders - www.jbrailriders.com • Waterton Shoreline Cruise - www.watertoncruise.com • Beal & Bunker Ferry - www.bealandbunkerferry.com

The Waterton Shoreline 2.5-hour boat ride sails the entire length of Upper Waterton Lake from Canada into the U.S.

Could,” that literally claws its way up the steepest slopes to the summit. Marsh’s clever invention uses a third rail ladder track that runs between the two ordinary train tracks. Functioning just like a bicycle chain laid out on the ground, the teeth on two big cogs in the center of the train’s engine and coach car grab onto the ladder track and pull the train up. The regular train wheels simply roll along for the ride. As our steam powered train slowly climbed the mountain, the Fireman shoveled coal from a huge hopper into the boiler as fast as he could while clouds of black smoke filled the air. Soon, we were above the tree line, and the peaks of the White Mountains filled our

The unique Mt. Washington Cog Railway became the first train ever to climb straight up the side of a mountain.

LET’S GO FOR A RIDE

COAST TO COAST MAGAZINE SPRING 2025 | 20

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