mountain railroad

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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A mountain railroad, also known as a mountain railway, is a type of railroad designed to operate on steep inclines. To maintain traction and control on these challenging gradients, these railroads employ specialized devices. These can include systems like cables, racks and pinions, or central rails that engage with corresponding mechanisms on the train. A specific type of mountain railroad is the cog railway, which features a toothed rail that meshes with a cogwheel on the locomotive. This ensures the train can safely ascend or descend steep mountain tracks.12

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Semmering
…Semmering Railway (1848–54), the first mountain railway in the world, passes 282 feet below the summit of the pass through a tunnel nearly one mile long. A second parallel tunnel was inaugurated in 1952.
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…Semmering Railway (1848–54), the first mountain railway in the world, passes 282 feet below the summit of the pass through a tunnel nearly one mile long. A second parallel tunnel was inaugurated in 1952.
Read More