Railway To The Moon

On this day in 1868, the world’s first mountain climbing railway opened. The Mount Washington Cog railway uses a rack and pinion system to climb the treck to Mount Washington. Still in existence today, it stops just short of the mountain’s summit.

A man who had built a business, lost it in the panic of 1837, and rebuilt a fortune, conceived the idea. Sylvester Marsh was a man who knew how to take advantage of opportunity and challenge. The idea for the railroad first began, as he lost his way on a hike.

Many called his idea insane, and him “Crazy Marsh”. When he asked for a charter, one man joked they might as well give him a charter to the moon. The inventor and businessman didn’t go to the moon, but his railroad is still in operation.

For me the moral of the story is threefold. First, if you lose your way, don’t give up. Second, don’t allow setbacks to be permanent stops. Finally, when you’re told it’s impossible, keep heading towards the summit!