The Swiss locomotives are not suitable in all respects from the track to the ecnomics of purchase. That's why I went there in the first place.

I had figured out the design of an even more modern locomotive than the Swiss design which would have been a double sided Shay.

I came away with two books I had written of pictures of the Cog and the area. I wish I could find someone to publish them as now they will represent a lost time.

Nigel, please tell us how to buy autographed copies of you Cog Rwy. book.

Nigel was nice enough to share a digital copy of the book with me- it is HIGHLY worthy of publication.

Anyone here that can help him out with getting it published?

> I had figured out the design of an even more modern
> locomotive than the Swiss design which would have
> been a double sided Shay.

That's an interesting concept, I'd love to see photos.

On a similiar vein, how about a Heisler style cog loco? That would be really cool.

Nigel shared it with me as well. He has as much talent in photography as he does in technological innovation.

dave

I only have the book on discs which copies could be made from. I wish I could have it printed so that I could get copies for everyone to enjoy. If you realy want a disc or can find a suitable publisher please send me a private message with your details and I will send you CD's

Hi All
Sorry not too see STEAM go on the COG,,,but I guess the NIMBY won this

one..

The Cog will not be the same without STEAM,,,but the GREEM MACHINE

is now the way the COG Railway will Run....

For well over 100 years Steam Did rule,, the Mountain,,,the smell of coal

smoke,,,and too see STEAM,,in the cold weather,, ...

I do not like too see Steam end on the cog,,,except for Special occasions,,

but now ,,in order too keep all Happy,,,this is the change,,,,will it work???

TIME WILL TELL????

Makes me thankful for the memories of being on cog train crews 1960-66. Coal was cheap then. Delivered by hopper via MEC over the Mountain Division to Fabyan-short, easy trucking to the base. That Cog will live on in pictures. Shops complex below the base should be on National Register.

It is interesting to note that the Cog is paying $240 a ton of coal delivered by Truck. The interchange at Whitefield and down to Faybian is once again part of the national rail system. Wonder if the economies of rail would make that any cheaper? Also, some posts mention that most people come for the scenery, not steam. The reality (opinion) of it is that the scenery is not as grand as climbing Pike's Peak and that the noise and vibrations was what made the trip an experience.

I've always loved those little cog steamers!

I admit to experiencing a little guilty pleasure when the first diesel didn't pan out a number of years ago. And while I was sorry to see the RRs investment vanish, I silently rejoiced in the fact that the steamers had won the round.

But even then it was clear the diesels would get another go. It would have been nice to see Nigel's idea come to fruition, but such is the way of the world.

I'm so glad I was able to ride ahead of those lokies as many times as I did. If the RR is not planning on retaining all the steamers for posterity's sake, I hope they'll sell them off to good homes rather than scrap them.

Returning to the mention of a possible book by Nigel, there is a company here in the States called "Acadia, an imprint of Tempus Publishing, Inc" that publishes all sorts of nice little books, typically 128 pages, that sell for $19-20. Unfortunately, all the photos are black and white, but they are well done. The subject matter of each book is often quite specialized. For example, "Assabet Mills, Maynard, Massachusetts."

Another possibility would be "Branch Line Press" http://www.branchlinepress.com. The publisher is Ronald Dale Karr, author of "Lost Railroads of New England." They are greatly into New England history, especially things involving railroads.

-John

Pat,

What evidence do you have this was NIMBY's?

Have you ever been to Mount Washington? The only NIMBY's there are moose and bear. ;-)

Rob

First they go after the hikers that give a fleshy "salute" to the cog (all for fun), and now they want to run that monstrosity of a diesel. And charge the same price for a shorter ride? Unless you get a LOT more time at the top... I'm sorry... but I think I may have made my one and only trip there.

http://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?p=223605#post223605
No comment...

I was wondering having just visited www.thecog.com, their website says nothing about that hideous looking green locomotive, still touts Nigel Day's work to convert their locomotives to biodiesel, and says "Most trains are authentic coal-fired steam, please dress accordingly." So have they just not updated their site, or are they only running diesel on some trains?

I have to say having almost made the trip up there last year, and having always wanted to ride the cog, I would be furious and want a refund if I thought I was running up on a steam locomotive and got a diesel! Had it not been for this site I would never have known.

Adam