With all the short runs that are produced in brass I'm surprised I've never seen one of the mt Washington cog engines. They can handle a 37% grade on mt Washington and are real cute steam locomotives
(http://img.fineliving.com/FINE/2009/08/31/Fall-Adventures-Cog-Railway-Jacobs-Ladder_w609.jpg)
It's a heck of a ride and can be quite interesting.
"Don't be stripping no gears while I'm on board." was my prevailing thought. ;D
I'd sure hate a free-wheeling ride down the mountain.
I don't like overhead cable cars either.
If you ever get to Albuquerque, NM you have to ride the Sandia Tramway to the top of the Sandia Mountains. Be sure you bring along some warm clothing as the temperature at the top of the mountain is vastly different than at the base (temperatures drop 3 degrees F per 1,000'). Here is a shot on the way up:
(http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp38/Allegro34/Sandiatramway.jpg)
Ray
No thanks. The one at Disney was enough for me. ;D
I have been to Albuquerque, though.
Cable cars are a different animal. Cog railways are very common in europe with some spectacular rides through the alps.
Another type that is common in Europe are funiculars. A pair of cable drawn cars on a single track that has a small passing siding in the middle of the ride. I rode a very long funicular in Bergen Norway in 1967.
maybe someone will do a brass of the mt wash cog diesel. :)
http://www.thecog.com/gallery.php
lex
a diesel, you gotta be nuts! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
they are slowly modernizing i guess. i doubt steam will ever go away.
automatic switching at the passing track for more time at the top.
below is a video of what they use to have to do. nine steps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBdCN7Ssuc0
new switch info
http://www.thecog.com/media.php?article=new_switch
there are many you tube videos for the cog railway.
coming down the mountain, loco does not control the car. two brake wheels in the passenger car are used to do all the braking.
there is a video on that also.
lex
and they are not even coupled together
that would be one heck of a roller coaster ride! Yee Ha!
Check out the 'devils shingle'