[?]

A Trip on the White Mountain Central Railroad 6/21/2015

Robin and I drove to the Clark's Trading Post just north of Lincoln, New Hampshire and parked in their lot.

White Mountain Central Railroad Climax 6 was steamed up and waiting for the 1:30 PM train. We went inside and they called the public relations lady who gave us lanyards which allowed for access to the entire park.

East Branch and Lincoln Railroad Climax 6 built by the company in 1921 as Woodstock Lumber Company (Beebe River Railroad 3). In 1935, it was transferred to Parker-Young Company (East Branch & Lincoln 3) then in a 1947 corporate sale, it went to Marcalus Company (East Branch & Lincoln 3), after which another corporate sale sent it to Franconia Paper Corporation (East Branch & Lincoln 3). In 1952, it was sold to Edward Clark in North Woodstock, New Hampshire and in 1969, transferred to White Mountain Central Railroad as their 6.

The train and the Clark's Trading Post station.

What makes White Mountain Central Railroad Climax 6 unique.

My delightful and fun Clark's Trading Post public relations lady.

The rear of the wood burning steam engine.

White Mountain Central Railroad Saddletank 2-4-2T 5 built by Lima in 1919 as Woodstock Lumber Company (Beebe River Railroad 5). In 1935, it was transferred to Parker-Young Company (East Branch & Lincoln 6) then in a 1947 corporate sale, it went to Marcalus Company (East Branch & Lincoln 6), after which another corporate sale sent it to Franconia Paper Corporation (East Branch & Lincoln 6). In 1952, it was sold to Edward Clark in North Woodstock, New Hampshire and in 1969, transferred to White Mountain Central Railroad as their 5.

The entrance building to Clark's Trading Post doubles as the train station. From there, the train leaves north through the park and then past the small locomotive shop. The railroad crosses the Pemigewasset River on a covered bridge then heads into a wooded area. In this section of the railroad, an actor playing a wild prospector named "the Wolfman" chases the train in a primitive car. Finally, the railroad goes under a ramp for Interstate 93 and terminates.

The railroad operates whenever Clark's Trading Post is open, between late May and early October. There are between one and seven round trips per day, depending on the park's hours. Each trip is 30 minutes long and the fare is included in the Trading Post admission price. During one weekend in September, Railroad Days are celebrated with extra trains and special consists.

Construction on the railroad began in 1955. The first train ride was on July 30, 1958. The covered bridge was moved from East Montpelier, Vermont and was reconstructed in its current location between 1963 and 1965.

We boarded this open air car on the White Mountain Central Railroad.

This is our route looking north from the station.

We left the Clark's Trading Post station.

The train ran by the false front buildings.

The view looking north as we started our trip.

Clouds are hanging over the White Mountains.

Going under the water tower at the Clark's Trading Post.

Approaching the White Mountain Central Railroad shop switch.

Items on display.

A small switcher.

A wood-burning steam engine needs plenty of wood.

Two fake caboose bodies along our route.

Lombard Steam Log Hauler.

Here the train approached the White Mountain Central Railroad covered bridge.

Passing through the covered bridge.

After going through the bridge, you find the Wolfman who scared two of the little children. The one near us said "I want to go back to the hotel!!!!!!" and cried everytime she heard the Wolfman's voice.

The Wolfman's primitive car which he uses this to drive from place to place along the railroad.

The train ran to the next curve.

Taking this curve.

Proceeding down the straight track.

The Wolfman next tried lighting a bomb to stop the train but it was a dud.

Rounding a curve at a crossing that the Wolfman uses.

Heading for a section of straight track.

Looking back at the train on the curve.

We passed stored equipment along the route.

The train ran by the siding.

This is the Wolfman's Mine.

Rounding the next curve.

The Wolfman always shoots his rifle into the air when he sees the train. The little girl screamed and cried when she heard it.

Three views of the Pemigewasset River.

The train took one last curve.

Passing under Interstate 93 with Wolfman Burma Shave signs along the tracks.

Nearing the end of track.

The end of track.

View of the Pemigewasset River.

Conductor Ryan encouraging peple to talk to get rid of the Wolfman. I finally told the little girl that I would protect her and if the Wolfman came onto the train, I would throw him off. She was all smiles after that!

The view inside our covered open air car.

The train started heading back to Clark's Trading Post station.

Our train taking the curve.

The Wolfman saw and heard the train then took off after it.

He rode through the woods chasing us and was now ahead of the train.

He shot his rifle then ran to his car.

He crossed the tracks behind the train.

We ran by the Wolfman's bomb and he threatened to blow up the White Mountain Central Railroad covered bridge.

The train picked up speed.

We made it safely across the bridge.

The train passed by all of the displays.

We reuturned to the station and I found we had ridden in the Perry Car on our trip.

The train back at the station.

A Linn pick up truck.

White Mountain Central Railroad 8 ton switcher 2 built by Vulcan in 1928 as Connecticut River Development 3816.

United States Army 65 ton switcher 1943 built by General Electric in 1943.

The shop building of the White Mountain Central Railroad.

Shop interior view.

Lombard steam log hauler.

The White Mountain Central Railroad covered bridge built in 1904 to span the Winooski River in Barre, Vermont on the Barre short line, this bridge (and its associated railroad) were abandoned in 1960. It was dismantled and moved to Clark's Trading post in North Woodstock, New Hampshire where it was reassembled in 1965 over the Pemigewasset River on the Clark's short line railroad. It is the only known covered railroad bridge that is still in active use.

The wood pile for the Climax steam engine.

We walked back by the train.

This boy ran his Segway into a bush.

Green Mountain Railroad box car X509 used for storage.

Green Mountain Railroad box car X506. We stopped by the gift shop but our public relations lady was not there so walked back to the station.

After returning our lanyards, we found this model steam engine on display in the station then left Clark's Trading Post, parked along the highway and waited for the 2:30 PM train to make its run.

Lombard Steam Log Hauler.

White Mountain Central Railroad Steam Shovel 3.

A Buffalo Springfield steam roller. Next we heard the train blow its whistle as it left the station.

The 2:30 PM White Mountain Central Railroad train passed our photo location. A special thank you to Clark's Trading Post and the White Mountain Central Railroad for having us visit today! We drove north to Parker's Motel and checked in thene relaxed for a while before leaving for our last train ride of this day.

RETURN TO THE MAIN PAGE