Marshfield Station in Bean's Grant in Coos County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Mount Washington Cog Railway
Photographed by Kevin Craft, July 6, 2011
1. Mount Washington Cog Railway Marker
Completed in 1869 for $139,500, this unique railway was built through the genius and enterprise of Herrick and Walter Aiken of Franklin and Sylvester Marsh of Campton. Over three miles long, the average grade to the 6,293-foot summit is one foot in four. Made safe by toothed wheel and ratchet, it is the second steepest in the world and the first of its type.
Erected by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 45.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 44° 16.084′ N, 71° 21.24′ W. Marker is in Bean's Grant, New Hampshire, in Coos County. It is in Marshfield Station. It is on Base Station Road 5.9 miles east of U.S. 302, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located about Ό mile before arriving at Marshfield (base) station on the left. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Twin Mountain NH 03595, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mount Washington Summit (approx. 2½ miles away); Crawford Path (approx. 2½ miles away); 10th Mountain Division Memorial
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. The Old Hero (was approx. Ό mile away but has been permanently removed); Northern Peaks of Presidential Range (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. Warning to GPS users: Mt Clinton road from Crawford Notch to Base Station Road is closed in winter and very, very (very) rough and bumpy and narrow in summer. Not recommended for RVs (hardly recommended for cars).
Also see . . .
1. Mount Washington Cog Railway. Official website (Submitted on July 11, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
2. Mount Washington Cog Railway. Wikipedia (Submitted on July 11, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.)
Photographed by Kevin Craft, July 6, 2011
2. Mount Washington Cog Railway Marker
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, July 30, 2025
3. Mount Washington Cog Railway Marker
The Cog Railway's first engine, The Peppersass, on display adjacent to the marker.
Photographed by Detroit Publishing Company, circa 1900
4. Jacob's ladder, Mt. Washington Ry., White Mts., New Hampshire
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 4,526 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on October 8, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2011, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. 3. submitted on August 1, 2025, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on December 30, 2012. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
