Monday, February 16, 2015

Manitou and Pikes Peak Locomotive


The Manitou and Pikes Peak cog railway winds 9 miles up to the summit of Pikes Peak and is the highest altitude railway in North America. The locomotive shown here is the first one used, a four cylinder compound Baldwin locomotive constructed  in 1890. As most of the line is on grades of 8 to 25 percent the boiler and cab were built on a 12 degree slant. The locomotive spent its life facing uphill as it was not turned at the top, the whole train was backed down the hill.
 The railway is still in operation, running Swiss-made diesel railcars these days, using biodiesel for fuel.

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