Drifting Down a 37.4% Grade. Here's what looks like Mount Washington Cog Railway #8 (see note below), drifting down the 37.4% grade at Jacob's ladder with the 2PM trip. The S-Curve Trestle that you see is the second steepest railway trestle in the world and the most treacherous. Sitting at 4,725 MSL, it is above tree line and wide open to ferocious winds that can exceed 100 mph on occasion. It also curves sharply and has a slight bank to it. Note to potential riders: If you have a fear of heights, sit on the RIGHT side of the train. The drop-off on the left is about 1,300 ft. (Note to railfans: The engine you see here is really MWRC #4 with the cab and tender from #8. Loco #8 was retired a couple of years back and has since been cannibalized for parts.)
Beautiful mountain scenery has made this small state a draw for rail buffs to ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Conway Scenic, among others.
