Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Trouble

I certainly hope it reopens. Took the ride to the top a few years ago while visiting "in-laws". Pretty neat experience to get on in May sunshine and experience a snowstorm when we arrived at the top. 

Uh.  Not good!  What's the problem?  I rode it once about 1955! But not again in future trips. Was glad the Hawaiian sugarcane train was resurrected. 

O-gauger posted:

I certainly hope it reopens. Took the ride to the top a few years ago while visiting "in-laws". Pretty neat experience to get on in May sunshine and experience a snowstorm when we arrived at the top. 

We had the option of doing it last year, but opted for the Georgetown Loop instead (shorter tour seemed easier to handle with four kids under four).

colorado hirailer posted:

Uh.  Not good!  What's the problem?  I rode it once about 1955! But not again in future trips. Was glad the Hawaiian sugarcane train was resurrected. 

From the article: 

The railway, whose system of cog wheels mesh with a special center “rack” rail that allows the train to climb much steeper grades than traditional trains could, has operated safely since it opened in 1891, Damioli said.

Now, however, “we have determined that the Cog Railway infrastructure and equipment has run its course,” he said.

Just wear and tear it seems. They said to completely overhaul/rebuild would cost in the tens of millions.

This is sad news! My wife and I attended the Denver TCA National Convention and were fortunate to take this ride. During the last  2000ft of climb, we  definitely felt the effects of altitude. The donuts made for sale at the top were highly praised. The view was breathtaking in all ways! The cog railroad, definitely needs to be preserved for future generations.

Eric Hofberg

TCA, LCCA 

We rode the Pike Peak Cog Railway three years ago and it was a very nice trip to take. The summit at 14,000 ft felt as though you were standing at the top of the world.  I do not believe that the that the entire system will need to be replaced.  The railroad brings in millions of dollars in revenue, its very crowed in summer and trains are always packed full.  I would guess that it will be repaired but who knows? .

Sounds like a ploy to get the state or local government to pay for some of the maintenance.

And yes, I've ridden it twice and the one in New Hampshire once.

Sorry to hear this news.  I was just at Pike's Peak last October, although I opted to drive up/down from the peak versus taking the cog railway.  I took some video of the cog railway in action:

Fix or repair is one thing, replace may be to a new safety standard well beyond the existing cog.  IMO

I was able to cross the cog off my bucket list a few years ago. As Chug pointed out above, the last 2000 feet vertical is a real challenge for us lowlanders. I was OK until I got off the train and went into the shop for the famous high altitude donuts. When I got back to my seat, I felt horrible. The donuts were very good, but they were overshadowed by the altitude sickness. When we got back down to about 8000 feet I started to feel better.

The cog is really a national treasure, and should be on the NRHP. It is an engineering marvel. I'm hoping that there's an entity out there that could provide grant money to do the restoration. Maybe it's time the hotel didn't own it anymore. Donating to the city, then asking the state to kick in the funding might work. There is all that pot revenue that could be tapped into.

I hope this isn't the end of the line.

National Treasure INDEED! Amazed it is not on the National Register already! ???? The state should consider taking it over and doing whatever it takes to insure its longevity! It is a major tourist attraction, and I remember it well when I was stationed at Fort Carson from 1963-1965!

A great train ride. A great adventure.  We rode it about ten years ago during a TTOS Denver Convention.  Well worth the time, money, effort.

As we were just leaving the top station and on the way down, we saw a couple of rams banging their horns/heads. A sight not to be forgotten.

The trains were packed the day we were there. You can't say it isn't popular, and the tickets weren't exactly cheap. I totally understand that after over 100 years of routine maintenance, it needs a total overhaul. If they figure out something like my suggestion, they could shut it down for up to 5 years while they do the work, and fund it over time, not lump sum up front. It can be done. Beside, the state will get some return on its investment.

Ok, I think this is could be an example of a company running something wirhout putting something in the kitty for state of good repair.

Dominic Mazoch posted:

Ok, I think this is could be an example of a company running something wirhout putting something in the kitty for state of good repair.

That may be true, but things DO wear out. Think of it more like putting a new roof on your house, but it's a REALLY BIG house. You can only patch it so much before you need a new roof. Then there's the issue of when to do it, forget the money. No revenue with all that expense, while you do the work? It doesn't come as much of a surprise, when you look at it that way. No company in their right mind would undertake this project without a lot of help.

Actually, if a government entity got involved, they could issue tax free municipal bonds to finance it. Problem solved. I'd buy a piece of that project. I trust Colorado, lived there for seven years.

Or this could be like when the UP bought SP. UP did not fully know how the degree the SP property was run down.Now who actually owns the ROW? This might help determine how to pay for the project. Like does a government agency own the ROW right now?

I do hope that it does reopen. Last fall, I took my family to the top of Pikes Peak but we drove, an interesting experience to say the least.

I remember seeing the Cog train at the top, checked it out and watched it leave. hopefully not one of its last trips! I vowed that the next I go back, I want to take it to the top. 

This is sad news! My wife and I rode the railway up to the top of Pikes Peak eight years ago when were in Colorado visiting my brother in law and sister in law. It was a throughly enjoyable experience. I hope a way can be found to keep it running. 

We drove the road up last summer and if this thing closes, I'd think they would have to regulate how many cars are allowed up at a time for safety reasons.  That drive is pretty dicey and a lot of cars go slow.  Plus they have to ensure there is room for emergency vehicles to get up.

I thought places like Switzerland had several of these cog railways?  I had no idea there were so few of them around.

As to the altitude, I was having major brain problems at the top.  I had to really put effort into thoughts.  I talked with someone from FL out there who normally lives at 7 feet above sea level.  I think she had it worse off than I did.

When l rode it back in the past, it was steam.  The last time I checked several years ago, it was diesel with a steamer displayed on a siding, so l passed. May have screwed up.  Sometimes it is amazing how little regard politicians have for history and tourist dollars. I have been spending $ on Colorado railroad history since the 1950's.  Wonder how much has been spent there. ...from the Geese to the Cumbres, Silverton, and Pikes Peak?

Hopefully the threat to shutter the place is just a calculation to gain a favorable (monetary) reaction. 

An analogy might be that of a professional sports team threatening to relocate if other entities don’t chip in to smooth the way for a new stadium. At least that’s what I hope it is.

The last time I was up was in 2014 with a crew of Boy Scouts traveling to Philmont Scout Ranch. We had a most enjoyable time. It's a great way to get introduced to the altitude. As I recall, the worst problem I had was inside the restaurant, because the fumes from the diesel generator were getting sucked into the fresh air intakes! Outside was fine.  I sincerely hope enough money can be found to make it right again.

Chris

LVHR

We drove up last Fouth of July. The white specks you see in the photo are snow. I went up there in 1986 while stationed at Lowry AFB. Man, could I feel the lack of oxygen this past time. 

Just a fan posted:

Sounds like a ploy to get the state or local government to pay for some of the maintenance.

And yes, I've ridden it twice and the one in New Hampshire once.

That was my first impression when I saw the story on the local news this morning. The company that owns it is doing well financially. 

colorado hirailer posted:

When l rode it back in the past, it was steam.  The last time I checked several years ago, it was diesel with a steamer displayed on a siding, so l passed. May have screwed up.  Sometimes it is amazing how little regard politicians have for history and tourist dollars. I have been spending $ on Colorado railroad history since the 1950's.  Wonder how much has been spent there. ...from the Geese to the Cumbres, Silverton, and Pikes Peak?

The steam engine was fired up last year and ran several special trips. 

We spent several days in Colorado Springs this week.  At the resort, I saw a TV news flash about trouble on the cog railway just before the commercial break.  So I waited while many commercials were played, then they came back to the studio with a weather quiz, then they did sports, but, at that point, I had to go do things with my family, and gave up before seeing the cog railway item.

Thanks for posting this.  Personally, I think the Broadmoor is just posturing to get some help with this, but we'll see.  I am glad, though, that Margie and I took a ride two years ago.

And, yes, the donuts at the top are indeed good.