Mountain Jeeping with Ole' Bill

It's got some bad spots on the road for sure, for those who just "know" if they get too close, it has to end badly. Too bad she didn't make it up. The observatory is impressive. Wonder if it's changed much in the 20 years since we went up.

 

We took the cog one year. It was coal powered then and all I remember was getting covered in coal cinders and dust. Was quite a climb though. Really neat when we got side tracked so that the train coming down could get by. The down trip was even better.

 

Do they run it during the winter at all now? Prolly not...

 

They run the bio-diesels now. I have been up on both engines, the steam powered by coal and the diesels.
I have to say despite the coal being so dirty it was more enjoyable for me because that is the way it was 'in the day'.
The smells and the noises were of the early 1900's and it felt really good to feel that.
The diesels are smooth and quiet, sign of the times for sure.