Mount Washington Cog Railway: Coal and Smoke up the 154 year old line!

On August 24th 2023, I went to ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway. We were oddly greeted by a park ranger at the entrance to the parking lot (we got there very early, maybe it's just a safety precaution so hikers dont get in?) But soon enough I went down and saw the crew coaling #9 Waumbek. Waumbek was built in 1908 and was one of the two selected to keep in operation (the other being #2 Annomousic). We will ride the steam train up, layover at the summit, and then make our way back down. Unlike normal trips, there was a lot more people moving around especially near the back of the coach where I was (there was a 3 year old kid on the ceiling), but everyone had to sit on the way down so it was just the brakeman turning the wheels. I had fun and this was a great experience of travelling up to the world's worst weather (it was very clear that day); the way it was and, in my opinion, the way it should always be!