Vintage track vehicles

Canaan New Hampshire

 

You have a crew cab stepside?

 

no, just regular cab. stepside is with the fenders on the outside

 

I gotcha. I love it. It's a real beauty.

 

In the early 1900s, workers on the Mount Washington Cog Railway in New Hampshire used a unique and daring method called the "Cog Slide" to descend the steep slopes of the mountain. This wooden sled-like contraption allowed workers, who were responsible for maintaining the tracks, to make quick trips down after completing repairs or inspections. The Cog Railway, which began operation in 1869, was the first mountain-climbing railway of its kind, designed to bring visitors to the summit of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern U.S. However, the extreme weather and steep grades required continuous maintenance.

The Cog Slide ran along the same tracks as the railway and was equipped with a basic handbrake system, giving workers some control over their speed as they descended the mountain. The journey was both exhilarating and risky, with workers reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Navigating such steep inclines required skill and quick reflexes to prevent losing control. As they raced down the mountain on their wooden sleds, brakemen crouched low, bracing themselves as the wind whipped around them in a thrilling ride.

This innovative, yet dangerous, mode of descent reflected the adventurous spirit of the time and provided a practical solution for the railway workers. It also highlighted the challenges of operating in one of the harshest climates in the U.S. The Cog Railway remains in operation today, though the thrilling rides on Cog Slides are no longer used, now standing as a historical reminder of the daring feats involved in maintaining such pioneering railways.