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Railfanning The Manitou And Pikes Peak Cog Railway

1,426 views · Published 21 July 2017 · 6:21 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: Nick Valdez · 2017 · Autos & Vehicles

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As tribute to my 3 years of service as engineer for the world famous "Cog Wheel Route", allow me to present to you the one Railfanning video I was able to create covering the lower 3 and a half miles of this 8.9-Mile long Cog Railway to the summit of America's Mountain.

In June of 2017, right before I left the railway to move on to bigger and better things, I took a 10-Mile hike using a good sense of direction and information on the area to find the railroad tracks at the former township of Ruxton Park. From there, I walked another good half mile up the tracks where I found Train 13-the Downhill 9:20 AM train-as it made its way past the Cattle Guard, and past Pilot's Knob. The motive power for this train was 1979 SLM-Built Unit 19, operated by engineer Eric Barker. From there, I walked down the tracks to the Halfway House Spur, where I found engineer David Hurley as he accelerates up Hell's Gate aboard 1983 SLM Unit #24. Another Mile down the tracks found me at Minnehaha Falls, where the daily track gang makes their way home aboard General Electric Unit #11 from the 1930's. Our last shot finds engineer Elliot Cleveland and conductor Sam Smith as they lead Unit 19's next run up the mountain at Diamond Rock.

 As a brief disclaimer to this video, I did require and possess permission to hike these rails, as I was an employee of the Cog Railway at the time. It is illegal for civilians to hike the Right-of-Way, and the hike itself to the tracks above Manitou Springs can be quite challenging. With that, I do advise all viewers to not attempt to explore this route trackside. But in the meantime, be sure to Rate. Comment. Subscribe. ENJOY!!! Copyright Nick Valdez Railroad Photography 2017.

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