J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "New Hampshire Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States New Hampshire Commemorative Cover postmarked July 3, 1995. On July 3, 1869, the Mount Washington Railway Company -- the brainchild of wealthy businessman Sylvester Marsh opened the world's first cog mountain-climbing railway. Six times steeper than the most severe conventional railroad grades, this lofty, seven-mile line spanned more than three miles of trestle. In this particular method of transportation, a cog-and-rack system mounted between the rails allows the engines to gain traction during the precipitous ascent. Indeed, the cylinders power the cog wheel, not the weight-bearing wheels that ride the rails, as on a conventional steam engine. Even the locomotive's boiler and the passenger seats are slanted to accommodate the steep grade. The first engine to operate on this cog railway was "Old Peppersass," named for its resemblance to salt and pepper cruets. By the fall of 1868, track had been built to within three-quarters of a mile of the summit when severe cold and snow halted construction. Work did not resume until the following June. However, in just three weeks, the route from the base of Mount Washington to the Tip-Top House hotel at the true geographical summit (6,288 feet) was finished. Today, this tourist line is still in service and still totally powered by steam. Old Peppersass is retired and on display at the Base Station. More typical of the classic log railway engines is No. 1, Mount Washington, built by Manchester Locomotive Works in 1883. It is shown here crossing Jacob's Ladder, the steepest grade on the route. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15111)