Conway Scenic Railroad
The railroad arrived in North Conway back in 1872. The line soon became very popular as a means for Bostonians and others to visit the up market summer resort. After World War II competition from road transport drove the line into decline so in 1961 the passenger service closed down and the station building was boarded up. Freight traffic continued for a time, but it too was in decline and the line eventually closed in 1972. The Conway Scenic Railroad took over the line and reopened it and the station in 1974. Today in season short trips are provided through the Mount Washington Valley to Conway or Bartlett. Many of the short trips are steam hauled. Trips of 5 hours or more are also available in season through Crawford Notch to Crawford Depot or Fabyan Station. These trips are normally diesel-hauled.
Turnaround at Conway
The round trip between North Conway and Conway takes 55 minutes, with a few minutes spent at Conway to stretch your legs while the locomotive runs around the rolling stock for the return journey.
North Conway Station
In the 19th century North Conway was a high class summer resort, so it merited a posh station. Designed by Boston architect Nathaniel J. Bradlee, the 1874 station survived its years of disuse. It has been renovated to restore it to its original glory.
Mount Washington from line between North Conway & Conway
While the scenery visible from the train on the North Conway to Conway route is pleasant it is far from spectacular. The highlight of the trip is a brief glimpse of Mount Washington, but be careful because if you blink you may miss it!
DLU081103
Locomotive 573 at North Conway Station
We travelled the line in May 2007 and because it was early in the season and a weekday the train was diesel hauled. When we visited back in 1985 we had no time to take a ride, but we were lucky enough to see a steam hauled service in the station. Click Tab 2 to see steam locomotive No 47 during our 1985 visit.
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Turntable & trains at North Conway Station
The rail yard at North Conway is well preserved, including its huge turntable seen in the foreground of this picture. The carriages to the left demonstrate that The Conway Scenic Railroad has some of the best painted rolling stock that we have ever seen on a preserved railroad.
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© Mike Elsden 1981 - 2023
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