The first engine,  "Old Peppersass", (so named due to it’s resemblance to a pepper sauce bottle)  was used for about 12 years, and then retired. She went to live in various museums, and in 1929 was returned to the Cog for her final climb, and disaster.

A gala celebration was held, with Governors of six states on hand, for her last run up the mountain. Peppersass was going only as far as Jacob’s Ladder, but all went well and it was decided to continue to the summit. By 5:00 P.M., she was still on her way up, time was getting late, and plans were changed again. The decent to disaster began. A loud noise announced a broken gear. The engine jumped out of the cog rack, the brakes were no use, and gravity now had control. The engineer, his son, and one of the official photographers jumped from the speeding train. Daniel Rossiter, another photographer on board, didn’t jump, but rode Peppersass down over Jacob’s Ladder before finally falling to his death. Peppersass continued on alone, covering almost 2,100' before she too plunged to her death.

One other notable accident was on Sept. 18, 1967.  Perhaps due to a switch error, the coach lost its engine, and plunged into a gorge.  Over 70 passengers were injured and 8 were killed.

With these 2 accidents in mind, did I have any concern about taking the Cog?  NO. When you consider the Cog is now in its 135th year of operation on a mountain said to have the worst weather recorded by man, that's a pretty good record.