Cog Railway Features Mount Washington Observatory Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 14, 2011 -- BRETTON WOODS, NH - A monthly excursion aboard the Mount Washington Cog Railway not only brings passengers to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast, it provides an opportunity to learn about the summit's legendary weather. Now in its second year, The Cog's Ride and Observatory Tour has become a popular event. Offered just once a month, with upcoming trips scheduled for the 2:30 p.m. train on Aug. 23, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11, the tour highlights a partnership between two famed fixtures atop Mount Washington - The Cog Railway and the Mount Washington Observatory.

Passengers ride to the 6,288-foot summit aboard one of The Cog's biodiesel-powered locomotives and during the 45-minute ascent of the three mile track, they learn about the history of Mount Washington with audio tour narrated by New Hampshire storyteller Fritz Wetherbee.

Once at the summit, they are given a rare tour of the Observatory's weather station, with one of the on-duty meteorologists talking about the extreme weather recorded at the summit since the Observatory was established in 1932. Among the records set was the recording of the 231-mph wind in 1934, the highest wind ever recorded at a manned weather station.

"The Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Mount Washington Observatory have, in their own way, shaped the history of their namesake mountain," said Wayne Presby, one of The Cog's co-owners. "Our partnership with the Observatory provides our passengers with an insight into the historic, the social and the scientific aspects of the summit that make it one of the world's truly unique locations." Following the visit to the weather room of the Observatory, Cog passengers then visit the Observatory's summit museum, featuring displays about the history of the mountain and a huge panoramic map of the Presidential Range.

The Mount Washington Cog Railway is a National Historic Engineering Landmark. It's first locomotive, Old Peppersass, reached the summit of Mount Washington on July 3, 1869, making it the world's first mountain climbing railroad using a toothed cogwheel to engage the rack between the rails.

TIckets for Cog Railway excursions can now be purchased online at http://thecog.com/buy_tickets.php. Due to the popularity of the rides, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

For more information and reservations, contact The Cog at 1-800-922-8825 or in New Hampshire at 603-278-5404. Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit, membership-supported research and educational institution with a mission to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth's weather and climate. For weather reports, webcams, photos and more, visit MountWashington.org. -30-

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