8 minute read
Historic Cog Railway
RAILWAY REACHES NEW Historic Heights
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway rolls back into service following extensive enhancements.
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BY LIBBY KINDER
hree long blasts from the train whistle announce the start of The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway’s nine-mile journey from Manitou Depot to the summit of Pikes Peak. The cars are filled with excited adventurers, and a symphony of chatter, laughter, and constant admiration of the changing scenery builds as the train rounds each bend in the tracks.
The Cog passes through boulder-strewn canyons and past sparkling waterfalls, skirts historic sites such as a 100-yearold hydroelectric plant, and overlooks reservoirs and a natural lake. Native wildlife such as elk, deer, and bighorn sheep are frequently seen along the route. The train passes through the Pike National Forest, eventually rising above timberline and into the snowfields of the tundra. Soon riders will get their first glimpse of the imposing summit of Pikes Peak. A 2,000-yearold bristlecone pine tree can be viewed as the train nears its destination. Yellow-bellied marmots can also often be observed contentedly sunning themselves on the rocks near the summit.
IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD: 130+ YEARS OF THE Cog Railway
1888 - The Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway is incorporated. 1889 - Construction begins.
OCTOBER 20 1890 - The railway is completed. 1890 - The first three steam engines from Baldwin Locomotive Works are delivered. During the steam era, there are a total of six engines. 1891 - The Cog is opened to the public. 1926 - Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose purchases the railway along with the streetcar system that runs to the station and Crystal Park Road. JUNE 16 1938 - The first gaspowered locomotive makes its inaugural run. 1939 - The first dieselelectric cars arrive.
The train’s conductors provide interesting commentary as the Cog climbs 7,600 feet during the roughly one-hour journey to the peak. There are only three cog railways in the United States and only a dozen throughout the world. The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the world’s highest and longest. The railway uses a specially fitted cog and track to help it safely climb steep inclines, as well as slow its descent.
Surprisingly, Zebulon Pike never actually reached the summit of his namesake mountain. Millions of guests have successfully made the journey in the Cog’s history, however. The Cog began climbing Pikes Peak in 1891, when businessman Zalmon Simmons, owner of the Simmons Beautyrest Mattress Company, built the original railway and opened it to the public. Back then a ticket on the Cog cost $5, a considerable sum in those days. In 1925, Spencer Penrose, founder of The Broadmoor hotel, purchased the Cog from Simmons, and led the way to it becoming one of Colorado’s most iconic attractions.
The Cog nearly wound to a full stop in 2017, however, when a periodic evaluation of the railway revealed the need for extensive maintenance. True to the spirit of The Broadmoor’s longtime ownership and stewardship of the railway, the decision was made to invest more than $100 million to completely overhaul and modernize the beloved Cog.
New tracks, a combination of new and refurbished trains, advanced technology, a completely renovated depot, and the City of Colorado Springs' new Pikes Peak Summit House Complex are among the numerous embellishments. After being closed for more than three
—TED JOHNSTON
1949 - The original steam trains are retired save for one engine, which is occasionally used to plow snow from the tracks. 1964 - New dieselelectric railcars from Swiss Locomotive Works in Winterhur, Switzerland, are put into service. 1976 - Two larger diesel-hydraulic Swiss Locomotive Works trains are put into service, with more to follow in 1984 and 1989. A new switch is also added so trains can run more frequently during the summer. OCTOBER 29 2017 - The railway closes for future evaluation.
NOVEMBER 2018 - The decision is made to rebuild the railroad and invest $100 million in the project. JUNE 30 2021 - Grand reopening celebration and 130th anniversary of The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.
years of renovations and reconstruction, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway once again began rolling in spring 2021.
Spencer Wren, who served as the Cog’s general manager for more than forty years, retired in January 2022, as soon as he was confident that the new operation was up and running smoothly. “I’m delighted and honored to be part of the history of the Cog Railway,” Wren says. “It’s top-notch!”
His successor, Ted Johnston, is focused on continuing the historic Cog’s legacy. “Customers are once more enjoying the experience of riding to the summit of a 14,115-foot mountain by rail,” he says.
Both refurbished and new trains now chug to the summit of Pikes Peak. The newly refurbished conveyances are self-contained, with the engine and passenger cars all part of one unit. In contrast, the new trains, manufactured in Switzerland, consist of passenger coaches and separate locomotives. A Swiss team accompanied the new trains to Colorado and supervised putting them into operation. Three passing sidings allow the trains to use radio control to safely and efficiently pass each other while traveling up and down the mountain.
Nearing the summit, the train chugs just past the newly built Pikes Peak Summit House Complex and stops atop America’s Mountain at 14,115 feet. Temperatures can range from balmy to frigid, so riders should be prepared for everything from T-shirt weather to temperatures cold enough for jackets, hats, and gloves.
Departs from Manitou Depot and operates daily, weather permitting, year-round. The round trip is about three hours. Arriving at least thirty minutes before your scheduled departure is recommended. Buy your advance eTickets at CogRailway.com.
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The Broadmoor's Seven Falls
ANOTHER ICONIC COLORADO EXPERIENCE
Another historic attraction not to be missed is a splendid natural wonder: The Broadmoor’s Seven Falls and South Cheyenne Canyon. This scenic delight was called "the Grandest One Mile in Colorado” by the Ames Guide in 1912, and this designation still rings true today. Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2023, Seven Falls has been a treasured piece of Colorado Springs history that is a truly inspirational destination.
A sojourn there is so much more than just a visit to a waterfall. The enclave is reminiscent of an otherworldly, mystical garden that is a feast for the senses. The combination of the sound of rushing water, the sight of the variety of flora and fauna, the scent of the ever-present dampness mixed with fresh mountain air, and the sheer beauty of the surroundings is a true balm for the soul.
A short walk on a nature path, or a complimentary shuttle ride takes visitors from The Broadmoor to the park entrance. The series of seven waterfalls is located in a 1,250-foot-wall box canyon, and tumbles over 180 feet through seven distinct leaps of sparkling water. The falls can be accessed either by traversing 224 steps, hiking the one-mile trail, or by zipping up 14 stories to the Eagle’s Nest observation platform via a swift elevator ride.
The Broadmoor Soaring Adventures offers a unique and exhilarating zip line experience in South Cheyenne Canyon with two courses and ten zip lines, combined with hiking, rope bridges, and a chance to rappel down a cliff within a backdrop of the spectacular set of waterfalls.
Upon alighting onto the platform, riders stand in awe at the sight of breathtaking, jaw-dropping vistas, often radiant in the bright sunshine. The air is fresh and invigorating, no matter what the temperature is.
The effects of being on the pinnacle of this gem are truly magical. Guests are free to meander along the metal walkways and overlooks while taking in the sprawling panorama. Crowds are frequently gifted with the pleasure of 360-degree panoramic views, accompanied by the tops of fluffy clouds scudding past like a flowing sea.
There’s plenty of time to savor the view, as well as sample the iconic high-altitude donuts and snacks available in the new Visitors Center and peruse the informative indoor and outdoor exhibits prior to the return trip to Manitou Springs.
The total experience has a family feel. Comments heard as the Cog winds its way down: “This is a slice of God's country!” and “Today the views were pretty perfect!”
Views of the mountain peaks slowly transition back to forested terrain as the journey gradually comes to an end. With three more long whistle blasts, the train announces its arrival back into the station and the completion of its three-hour round-trip journey. Just as it has for generations of guests, however, its riders depart with memories that will remain with them for a lifetime.
