Look: Images show big progress on Pikes Peak Cog Railway project

Written by RT&S Staff
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Workers have reached halfway point in the construction of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway project.
The Broadmore

Construction on The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is chugging along and is one track closer to its highly anticipated May 2021 reopening. The railway recently reached the halfway point of construction completion mark with the newly reconstructed Mountain View siding, approximately 4.5 miles into the 9-mile line.

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Originally built in 1891, this historic railway is the highest railroad in America, the highest cog railway in the world, and one of Colorado’s top attractions. Since March 2019, it has been undergoing a $100 million renovation of its tracks, cogs, railcars, and depot to totally reimagine the experience.

All photos courtesy of The Broadmoor.

“We’re happy to share that we’ve reached a major milestone in our track renovations with the installation of two of the three passing siding tracks: Windy Point and Mountain View,” said Ted Johnston, assistant general manager of the railway. “The crews faced one of the toughest stretches of track to construct between these two points, a part of the line we call the ‘Big Hill,’ which is the longest, steepest, and narrowest portion of track.”

The crew is expected to reach the third siding location, Minnehaha, by the middle of October. Track construction is on schedule to be completed by the end of the year, while the first Cog ride will take place in May of 2021.

As for the actual trains, the four diesel engines that are being refurbished in the Cog’s Manitou Springs shop are 90 percent complete with new floors, seats, a sound system and vinyl wrap (instead of paint), and diesel engines. These trains also are having their axles converted to the new cog system. Once completed, they can be placed on the track. In addition, three new trains are currently in production at Stadler’s facility in Switzerland.

Depot renovations also are moving full steam ahead, as construction of the new south platform and bathrooms at the Manitou Depot begin.     

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