Does anyone know what railroad owns the track that runs through North Conway NH that runs paralell to North South Rd? This is not the tracl the Conway Scenic rums on. Is the track still active?
That is the former MEC line to Portland, which has been out of service for years. As I recall when I was there about 20 years ago, they were removing some of the track in town, but I see in satellite view that it looks like they recently re-habed the track in town that runs along the N-S Rd. The state of Maine owns the segment in Maine.
I thought that was it. I used to watch Maine Central freights pass Brenton Woods just before they decended through Crawfords Notch. There is a junction just west of N Conway where this line meets what I guess is the old B&M,Conway Scenic passes it on its way to Fabyians Station. The track I saw Saturday looked to be intact but there is rust on the railheads so I imagine it dosen't get much if any use.
I believe the old MEC is used only for raifan day events and special chartered moves. It is intact and useable as far as Pudding Pond south of North Conway. There has been some talk by dreamers of rehabbing it all the way to Portand but lack of customers and money presents a problem not to mention the NIMBYs who would come out of the woodwork to protest. There are a couple of rail trails next to the line in a spots. Four miles in Fryburg and about 5 miles from south of Sebago Lake to South Windham in Maine. The latter segment is quite interesting towards the Gambo Road end with remains of the spur into the old ammunition factory and the remains of the Oxford Canal close by.
Thanks for the info. Without on line customers it is hard to see why anyone would invest the money. I wonder if anyone has thought to study it for possible passenger service from Portland to N Conway, my guess is there is not enough population to support it. Just glad it hasn't been ripped up.
The line that runs between Redstone and the junction with CSRR in North Conway is alive and well. New bridges, crossings, and ballast was completed several years ago. It is NOT used in daily operations. It "IS" used for special events, railfan day, excursions, etc. Conway Scenic RR for special events annually, will bring trains down the former Portland line to Redstone, then reverse and travel back north through Crawford Notch. On some excursions, the train has run all the way to Whitefield, NH a VERY scenic trip especially in the Fall when the Fall folliage in that area is BEYOND description on my part.
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