The following article is copied from today's Trains News Wire site. http://www.trains.com/trn/default.aspx?c=a&id=3539 Mount Washington Cog Railway builds diesel June 4, 2008 Mount Washington Cog Railway's home-built diesel begins the ascent of its namesake peak on May 31. (Alex Mayes) BRETTON WOODS, N.H. - To offset the high costs of operating coal-fired steam locomotives the Mount Washington Cog Railway has placed in service a new diesel-hydraulic engine. The new diesel, which is powered by a 600 HP John Deere tractor engine, company employees built the engine at the railway's Bretton Woods with technical assistance from the John Deere Co. Railway officials said the new diesel makes three trips to the summit of Mount Washington and back for the cost of operating one steam-powered round trip. Part of that expense comes from the high cost of coal; the railroad is currently paying $240 a ton for coal delivered. Steam engines will continue to power most of the trips up the mountain for the immediate future, however company officials are considering constructing two additional diesel-hydraulic engines. The Mount Washington Cog Railway has operated only steam engines since 1869. - Alex Mayes
I had the good fortune to ride the MWCR several years ago. Those little steam locos are really a different breed of their own. I hope they will continue to operate steam for special occasions.
Bill, the only time I rode was May '90, the week after they re-opened for the summer. It was 25*F and a howling blizzard at the summit. But that didn't phase the little Teakettle...loved every minute!
