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A cog railway, also called a rack railway, is a special type of train that can safely climb very steep mountains. Instead of relying only on smooth steel wheels, the train uses a toothed gear that locks into a rail with matching teeth, giving it extra grip as it climbs.
Sometimes the train ride is just as exciting as the destination. Watching a cog railway slowly climb a mountain is one of those unforgettable travel experiences that kids-and grown-ups-remember for years. Sometimes the train ride is just as exciting as the destination. Watching a cog railway slowly climb a mountain is one of those unforgettable travel experiences that kids-and grown-ups-remember for years. Type: Mountain railway
Also Called: Rack railway
Found In: Switzerland, Austria, Germany, the United States, and other mountain regions
Best For: Climbing steep mountains that ordinary trains cannot safely reach
A cog railway is built for mountains that are simply too steep for regular trains. Between the two rails is a third rail with evenly spaced teeth called a rack. The train has a matching gear, called a cog, that meshes with those teeth as it climbs or descends.
Because the train cannot slip, it can safely travel up slopes that would be impossible for ordinary railways.
★ When riding a cog railway, try sitting on the downhill side of the train. Depending on the route, you'll often enjoy spectacular views of valleys, lakes, and mountain villages below. ★
Some of the world's most famous cog railways take visitors to spectacular mountain scenery.
The first successful cog railways were built during the 1800s to reach mountain communities and scenic peaks that ordinary trains couldn't climb. Today many remain popular attractions, carrying visitors to breathtaking viewpoints while preserving an important part of railway history.