T
HE CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD got its start in 1974 operating over a por- tion of the old Boston & Maine be-
tween North Conway and Conway, N.H., in 1974. Twenty years later, the railroad enjoyed a westward expansion over for- mer Maine Central tracks owned by the state of New Hampshire to Bartlett and up through Crawford Notch. The “Notch Train” became the premiere opera- tion complimenting the shorter “Valley Train” on the Conway Scenic. I’ve been visiting the White Mountain
region of New Hampshire (and some of adjoining Maine) for more than 20 years now. What started as an annual trip with my Scout troop has grown into occasion- al adventures with friends. However, my timing was always off to photograph the Notch Train, which operates later in the season. It wasn’t until this year that my friend Dave Scheiderich and I decided to roll the dice and take a chance that fall foliage would be emerging at the same time we requested time off for vacation. Foliage was just starting to turn as we crisscrossed the back roads of Vermont and entered New Hampshire. We ar- rived in North Conway just in time for dinner. After our meal, we stopped by the North Conway station and met the evening dinner train just pulling in. We grabbed a few shots and then headed for our friend’s cabin just across the border in Fryeburg, Maine. After a long day of
BELOW: The crew of the Valley Train prepares to tie on to their consist at North Conway, N.H., on September 27, 2015. No. 1751 is former Finger Lakes Railway. Conway Scenic No. 216 is warmed up and ready in the background. BOTTOM: With No. 1751 in the clear, No. 216 will bring out the Notch Train for boarding next. The lower-quadrant semaphore signal is fully operational.
68 NOVEMBER 2015 •
RAILFAN.COM
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