Adventurers in New England

Chapter Fifteen

Conway Scenic Railroad

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Silver Lake Railroad

Robin Bowers

June 23, 2015

Tuesday

Text and Photos by Author
The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

Comments are appreciated at... yr.mmxx@gmail.com

The night at Perry's passed with occasional rain and showers. The morning sky here in Intervale portend of the rest of our sunless day. It was just a short drive to our first stop of the day in North Conway Village.

Conway Scenic Railroad

Conway Scenic Railroad, off SR 16 and US 302, offers nostalgic, narrated, round-trip train rides of varying duration. Excursions are powered by early diesel locomotives over tracks laid in the 1870's. Trains depart from the 1874 North Conway Station.

After we picked up our tickets there was a little time to take some pictures around the yard.

The Gertrude Emma Parlor and Observation Car.
Built in 1898 for use on the "Pennsylvania Limited," the Gertrude Emma has been restored to its original splendor with individual wicker chairs, large double-wide windows, rich mahogany woodwork, and an open observation platform.

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After pushing the train into the station, the power moves to the front to pull us on our trip.

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Last car is open observation car. We will spend a lot of time out here taking pictures.

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Our ticket to ride.

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Looking behind as we leave the station.
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Saco River which the train will follow thru Crawford Notch to Crawford Station.

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Approaching Willey Brook Bridge.

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US 302 crossing the Saco River.

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Approaching the Frankenstein Trestle.

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Frankenstein Cliffs.

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Building of Frankenstein Trestle. Click back button on your browser to return to this page.

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Exiting the Frankenstein Trestle.

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US 302.

More rocky cliffs.

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We have reached the end of the line for our trip. We have traveled on what was once the Maine Central Railroad's famed Mountain Division line, on tracks that were laid down in the 1870's. Our layover here was about one hour which let everyone get out, explore and stretch our legs. I then watched the engine move from one end of the consist to the other so it can pull us back to North Conway. Then I checked out the depot and then the Appalachian Mountain Club Lodge. The US 302 that passes here is the same US 302 that we were on yesterday at the Cog Railway just a few miles north of here.

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Lodge, US 302 and Saco Lake, the headwaters of the Saco River.

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Loco 216 coming back after switching tracks to hook up with train to pull us back to North Conway Village.

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Crawford Station, also completed in 1874.

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Book displays inside the station.

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This area is a hot bed of hiking with the Appalachian Trail nearby.

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Appalachian Mountain Club Lodge.

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Adjacent buildings to the lodge.

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Lounge to relax, meet and greet.

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Saco Lake, US 302 and Crawford Notch Station.
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Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade.

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US 302.

After our train ride ended and we were back in the station, I walked over to the North Conway Freight House to explore the inside.

North Conway Model Railroad Club

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The North Conway Freight House is the home of the North Conway Model Railroad Club, which is open to the public Tues/Thurs/Sat, July through September, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Leaving the club I did one last look at the yard.

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Leaving North Conway Chris and I drove the short distance to Conway to find their freight house.

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After our quick stop here in Conway it was a short 7 miles to the next adventure.

Silver Lake Railroad.

The US Post Office is located here, zip 03875.

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Founded and owned by Neil Underwood, Silver Lake Railroad opened on July 7, 2007, operating from Madison Station (aka Silver Lake Depot) in the town of Madison. This station was a stop for the Boston and Maine Railroad from 1872 until passenger service ended on the line in 1961. The station has been restored over the period from 2002-2007, and much of its original features are intact. The original order boards and stationmaster office were undisturbed, as well as the interior of the station (now housing the Silver Lake post office), which displays its original varnished woodwork.

As there was no one around when we arrived, we used the time to take pictures.

Looking south toward Silver Lake.

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Looking north from station.

The railroad operates on the historic Conway Branch (abandoned in October 1972), traveling northward past a chain of ponds in Madison, New Hampshire. Rides are approximately 40 minutes, aboard two 24-foot-long (7.3 m) open-air passenger cars powered by a Fairmont A6 railcar. The line passes a series of lily ponds and beaver ponds which have beaver huts and dams in them. Scenery includes the Mt. Washington Valley and views of the White Mountains. Wildlife that can be seen along the line include but are not limited to moose, bears, deer, and birds.

After a few more minutes we hear the sound of a engine approaching on the tracks. Then speeder 1555 arrived. The passengers got out and the driver came over to talk to us. We chatted and then he said that they were not offering rides to the public but he said he would take us out for a ways in the side car 1555. We said yes and started on our rare and special journey through the woods of Mt. Washington Valley. Riding 1555 was a great way to see the lily ponds and the trees.

The driver told us about the amount of work need to maintain the right of way.

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Returning to the station, Chris and I were told to go inside and explore if we wanted.

Back side of station.
We then walked over to the diner.

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Open during the season.

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And so our stay here comes to an end. Retracing our steps, we take Rt.113 to our old friend US 302 and on to Maine. Sailing on US 302 in Maine, we breeze through the towns of Bridgton, Naples, Raymond and smaller. At North Windham we turn left on Rt 115 heading to Gray, ME. In Gray we passed the future home of the Maine Narrow Gage RR. Currently located in Portland, ME they are being evicted from that location because the city wants to develop the bay front land.

Future home of the Maine Narrow Gage.

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After leaving Gray we continue on Rt 115 to Yarmouth

Although Yarmouth was first settled in 1636, permanent habitation was not possible until 1713 due to repeated attacks by Native Americans. Early residents took advantage of the power provided by four waterfalls on the Royal River, and the economy prospered due to fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding and farming.

Yarmouth is known as a scenic coastal community. Picnicking, strolls on paved pathways and views of picturesque waterfalls are possible at Royal River Park.

At Yarmouth we take US 1 north to Freeport. For the next two nights we will be resting our heads here at the Best Western in Freeport.

Go to next Chapter - Sixteen - Wiscasset, Boothbay, Belfast & Moosehead Lake

Return to last Chapter - Fourteen; Cog Railway

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Text and Photos by Author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent.

Comments are appreciated at... yr.mmxx@gmail.com