Cog Equipment

ver the course of more than a century of operation, the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway has utilized a wide variety of motive power to climb Pikes Peak with passengers in tow. Several examples of steam locomotives and early diesel-electric railcars still survive on display. As of 2023, the Pikes Peak Cog rosters 7 multi-car trainsets from two Swiss manufacturers. Four two-car sets were built between 1975-88 by Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works and utilize a diesel-hydraulic drive system to engage to cog rail. In 2021, the railroad received three multi-car trains from international builder Stadler Rail. Three coaches (one includes a control cab) are attached to a diesel-electric locomotive, which utilizes electric traction motors to engage the cog rack. These small locomotives are detachable if needed, and always ride in the downhill position in normal operation.