August 29

Events - Transportation & Infrastructure

1869day.year

The Mount Washington Cog Railway opens, making it the world's first mountain-climbing rack railway.

In 1869, the Mount Washington Cog Railway opened as the world's first mountain-climbing rack railway.
On August 29, 1869, the Mount Washington Cog Railway commenced operations on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Engineer Sylvester Marsh designed the railway with a cog-and-rack mechanism to climb steep slopes up to 37.4%. As the world's first mountain-climbing rack railway, it provided safe and reliable access to the summit. The line attracted engineers, tourists, and adventurers eager to experience its innovative technology. Its success inspired similar railways on mountains worldwide. Today, it stands as a historic engineering landmark and a testament to 19th-century ingenuity.
1869 Mount Washington Cog Railway rack railway
1903day.year

The Slava, the last of the five Borodino-class battleships, is launched.

The Russian battleship Slava, last of the Borodino-class, was launched, showcasing pre-dreadnought naval engineering.
On August 29, 1903, the Imperial Russian Navy launched the Slava at the Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg. She was the fifth and final vessel of the Borodino-class battleships, designed for the Russo-Japanese War. Constructed with heavy armor and powerful artillery, Slava represented Russia's naval ambitions in the early 20th century. However, delays and design compromises reflected the challenges of building modern warships of the era. Though she saw limited action, Slava's launch marked a milestone in pre-dreadnought battleship development and naval history.
1903 Slava Borodino-class battleships