![]() ![]() At one point, the coach had to detach itself from the engine, while keeping moving all the way, because of how steep the grade was. Within our coach, at the rear, are two brake wheels, one is kept at constant tension, while the other is constantly adjusted all the way down based on what is required. Without any modern form of “safety-minded” brakes, our steamer jack-braked itself down the incline. The seats are turned around, and we head down the mountain, roof shaking. I described the way up as surreal, but I’d think a better use of that word would be to describe going down the hill (and may I mention that 38% grade again). But, somehow by pure luck, we were able to see for miles upon miles in every direction. ![]() I went in late summer, and there had been snow at the peak the night before. Most of the time, weather is harsh and visibility is low. It really is amazing to see how the old-timers were able to put together all of these parts to make something that - still, in this day and age - can do something that cannot be accomplished by any other piece of machinery. It looks like a mix-match of parts from all the types of steamers you’ve seen. ![]() When we approached, the engineer walked up to us and invited me into the cab, and wow was it different. Heading down the hill in the direction of the yard, we were able to see our steamer for the day, #2, being prepared for the journey just outside of yard limits. The early morning consists consisted all of biodiesel, and the line’s one and only new coach with hydraulic brakes. All that is used is a steel plate on the downhill end of the coach and a rubber nub on the uphill end of the engine. It is important to mention that there are no couplers used on this line, as it is all, from base yard and engine houses to the top of the mountain, on a steep downhill grade. All trips on the line consist of two to three engine/coach sets traveling up the mountain together, and we were lucky to have caught the early morning trains coming down the last incline into the station. We arrived with plenty of time to spare before our mid-day journey up the Mount Washington Cog Railway, in eastern New Hampshire. Club Member has TT&TO System article in National Model Railroad Association Magazine. ![]()
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