Major John Hulbert is largely credited with the idea and promotion of a cog railroad up Pike's Peak. The first locomotive was later named in honor of him. A tremendous feat of engineering and physical skill and grit, the Cog Railway was completed by the Broadmoor in 1889, and started carrying upwards of 60,000 people to the summit in 1890. With numerous stops at places such as the Shady Spring, the Halfway House and the Windy Place, the Cog Railroad quickly became a day trip for tourists to enjoy.

In May of 2017, the last car made its way to the Summit, as the Broadmoor decided to retire it, due to safety concerns. However, the residents of Colorado Springs rallied (with the cry, "Save the Cog!") immensely in support of keeping the Cog. Eventually, the Broadmoor Hotel and the city of Manitou Springs struck a deal that would split the cost of rebuilding the railroad to safer standards. The Cog Railroad is set to open again in 2021!