The Conway Scenic Railroad

As long as I can remember, I’ve been a railfan and Bev often asked me why – why do I like being stopped at a crossing while a train passes by? Why do I like driving by the classification yard in Knoxville when in the area? Why do I like excursion trains or model RR exhibits?

Maybe it’s because my best friends Dad was an engineer for the B&O or that we hung around the roundhouse in our community or that we went through the major rail center of Grafton, WV (home of first Mother’s Day), all back in the days of steam engines. Maybe it’s because toy trains were big in my youth and I had one, but I really just don’t know.

What I do know is that as we were driving thru North Conway during our New England trip and I looked to the right, saw RR equipment, and immediately made a right turn into their parking lot.

As it turned out we were at the home base of the Conway Scenic Railroad which runs excursions in the area. We checked it out but this time of year, the trips are short and unimpressive, so we passed. But I was impressed with their stuff.

They occupy the station and yard of a former Boston and Maine RR location ad have the most rolling stock and motive power of any scenic RR I’ve seen – you’d love this Dave. First here is a shot of the station and other buildings which includes a functioning roundhouse with turntable for maintaining their equipment.

Most of their power is diesel, but they have one operating steam loco and several yet to be restored diesel pieces.

On this day, with the low traffic of the off season, they were operating a Budd Car which looks like a normal passenger car but it has a diesel engine that makes it self propelled.

Had they been running up to Bretton Woods and the Mt Washington Hotel I would have definitely bought tickets just to see the scenery as it winds up the Crawford Notch Gorge.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

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Larry