Cogscape: Mt. Adams, Mt. Madison and the Auto Road. In this wide view, we see Mt. Washington Railway Co. #9 "Waumbek" and her blue coach as they complete their run across the "Homestretch", headed for the final turn to the summit, where a short, steep stretch called the "Slingshot" will take them to the summit platform. In this shot, you can see (left to right), Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison. You can also see top end of the Mt. Washington Auto Road, which comes up the east face of the mountain. Interestingly, the base terminal for the auto road is about 46 miles and over an hour's drive from the base station for the Cog Railway, as the two are on opposite sides of the mountain. The large, square, concrete pad on the right is the Mt. Washington Helipad, which has a variety of uses, including evacuation of personnel from the summit in emergencies. Blackhawk helicopters from the Coast Guard, Army National Guard and Air National Guard also periodically come to train here for alpine operations. On a gusty, windy day, landing up here on the summit can be quite an adventure.
Landscape photography is difficult due to the challenge of combining good light and good scenery. Good railroad photography enters another level of complexity since it requires the first two while there is a train in view.
