Maybe the gentleman is urging Harriet to hurry because he is afraid they might not get seats together or seats on the side with the best view.

Following up on History Jack's comment, Mount Washington Cog Railway is the second steepest rack railway in the world after the Pilatus Railway in Switzerland, with an average grade of over 25% and a maximum grade of 37%.

As a former Pittsburger, I would note that the Duquesne Incline has a grade of 58%. That's on a much smaller scale, of course.

Next to the darkly clad lady in the center of the photo, there's a man "down" on the boardwalk! You can just see his hand near the hem of her skirts. And WHAT A LOOK she's giving him.

Looking at the ratio of one engine per one coach car, the grade up the mountain must have been pretty steep. It reminded me of the childhood story of The Little Engine That Could!

I wanted to comment about that couple on the far right, and I’m not surprised that JennyPennifer beat me to it! I certainly agree with what she writes, but I would add something. He appears to be rushing her to get on the train, perhaps unnecessarily so, since it seems from the people behind them that the train is still loading and there’s no crazy pressure to board. Although they seem a loving couple, he may just be the kind of guy who’s always worried about being late. I know the type. My family members always wonder why I’m in such a tizzy about the time when, to them, there doesn’t appear to be any cause for rush.

I imagine the gentleman saying, "come on Harriet, let's go"

I know exactly how man on the right is feeling.

The Cog railway up Mount Washington is still running as far as I know. I rode it some years ago. Each locomotive pulls just one car up the mountain. When I rode it, there was only one car and locomotive in operation. The smokestack is tilted to compensate for the angle of the mountain. At one point, the folks in one end of the car were 14 feet higher than the folks at the other end! A very scary ride!

The couple hurrying along the platform on the far right of the picture appear to be enjoying a happy day together. He's turning to encourage her while barely breaking his stride, reaching, gesturing with a leather-clad hand for her to get a move on. She's hustling along as bidden, quick as she's able, all the while smiling into his eyes. I can tell even though she's a blur. More joyous smiles are budding and blossoming behind them. This is a feel-good photo, full of life and bristling with adventure.

The amount of FABRIC every person lugged around on their bodies back at the turn of the last century is mind-boggling. It makes me tired just looking at photos from that era.