Manitou Springs, CO
Photo by Bob Burch, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
4.5· 6,231 Google reviews
About Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway ascends 8.9 miles from its base station in Manitou Springs, Colorado, climbing from 6,320 feet to the summit at 14,115 feet. The train employs a modern rack‑and‑pinion system that maintains traction on grades up to 25 percent, delivering a smooth, controlled ride through Englemann Canyon, past historic sidings at Minnehaha and Windy Point, and into the alpine environment that crowns Pikes Peak.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Manitou Springs, CO
- Rating
- 4.5 ★ 6,231 Google reviews
- Upcoming
- Thu, Jul 16
Upcoming Events
Plan Your Visit
- Season
- Year-round
- Trip Length
- 3.5-hour round trip
- Parking
- Paid lot
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The line runs 8.9 mi on standard gauge from its base depot in Manitou Springs (elevation 6,320 ft) to the summit of Pikes Peak (elevation 14,115 ft). Original rolling stock comprised three Baldwin steam locomotives (later rebuilt as Vauclain compounds) plus a fourth added in 1892, a gasoline‑powered railcar #7 built in 1938, five streamlined General Electric diesel locomotives acquired from 1939, and a fleet of Swiss‑built self‑propelled railcars numbered #14‑#17 (1964), #18‑#19 (1976), #24 (1984) and #25 (1989). After the 2021 refurbishment the railway operates three Stadler push‑pull trainsets (#27‑#29) with diesel‑electric locomotives, two coaches and a cab car, together with a diesel‑powered snowblower (#30) and the rebuilt two‑car SLM railcars #18, 19, 24 and 25 converted to the new Strub rack system.
History
See full history
The line originates from inventor Zalmon G. Simmons’s 1888 proposal, with construction beginning in 1889, limited service launching in 1890, and the first train reaching Pikes Peak’s summit on June 30 1891. Spencer Penrose acquired a stake in the railway shortly before the 1929 onset of the Great Depression, and the line later passes to the Anschutz Corporation, which owns it today. Winter operations cease on October 29 2017, the railway closes indefinitely in March 2018, and a public‑private agreement signed on November 20 2018 provides $36 million in tax incentives for a full refurbishment. Track replacement, rack conversion and equipment rebuild start in March 2019, reach the summit by September 2019, and continue with new metal ties and a Strub rack system in May 2020. Three new Stadler push‑pull trainsets arrive from Switzerland in February 2021, and the railway reopens on May 20 2021, becoming one of only three operating cog railways remaining in the United States.
Around the Depot
Around the Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Colorado, two more lines sit close: the Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway about 5 mi off and the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad roughly 15 mi away.
Colorado Springs & Interurban RailwayTrain Ride·★ 3.8 (4)5.4 miView →
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (1684)15 miView →
Royal Gorge Route RailroadTrain Ride·★ 4.4 (9392)33 miView →The Castle Gift ShopGift Shop·★ 5 (1)<1 miDirections →
Miramont Castle Museum and The Queen's Parlour Tea RoomMuseum·★ 4.5 (1787)<1 miDirections →Twin SpringAttraction·★ 4.6 (211)<1 miDirections →LunicientGift Shop·★ 5 (5)<1 miDirections →Getting There & Staying Nearby
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Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Manitou Springs
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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