Railroading in Maine / New Hamshire....what to see???

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I am off to Maine and New Hampshire this week on vacation. Any train things I should see or do while in these two states? Any scenic railroads I shouldnt miss?? Any good hobby/train shop reccomdations?? I am from Arizona so I don't get to this part of the country very often. Someone told me I should take the Cog railway to the top of Mount Washington. Thanks for any input!

Adam in Arizona

[tstage]

Adam,

Welcome to the forum...and the east side of the States! Good to have you aboard! [:)] What part of AZ are you from? My inlaws live just outside Tucson, in Oro Valley.

Your friend gave you the one that immediately came to my mind: The Mt. Washington Cog RR. One of a kind...and worth seeing! [tup][tup] She runs everyday during the warmer months - except when the winds are blowing above 70 MPH on top. (Surprisingly, it's not that uncommon.) Dress warm if you go to the top.

Adam, I did a quick search and did find a web site that may be of help to you:

http://www.conwayscenic.com

One of the three rides mentioned is the MWCRR.

Someone did mention to me a nice scenic RR in Maine but I can't recollect the name of it right off hand. I'm sure someone else will chime in with some.

Adam, have a wonderful time in ME and NH! Pretty part of the country. [^] Will the leaves be at their peak? Or, is that just a bit too early? They are only just starting to change here in OH.

Hey, let us know where you went and what you liked. We love pics, too! [:D]

Tom

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by azaharchuk

Hello,
I am off to Maine and New Hampshire this week on vacation. Any train things I should see or do while in these two states? Any scenic railroads I shouldnt miss?? Any good hobby/train shop reccomdations?? I am from Arizona so I don't get to this part of the country very often. Someone told me I should take the Cog railway to the top of Mount Washington. Thanks for any input!

Adam in Arizona

I'll second tstage's suggestion to go see the Conway Scenic.

In Maine, you might want to take a ride on the Maine Eastern from Brunswick to Rockland and return. http://www.maineeasternrailroad.com/

You might also want to stop by the Wiscassett, Waterville and Farmington. http://www.wwfry.org/ Unfortunately, they won't be running steam again until Oct 20/21.

Andre

[Anonymous]

It's now somewhat late to visit some of these sites, as many close down during the week after Labor Day - ask me how I know! There is a neat place in new Hampshire, White's Trading Post. They have geared locos that run a short distance up the line and back. They have a recreated old village with some neat shops, antique cars, an act with bears that do stunts, etc. It's not too far from the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, a great place to visit, will probably be using diesels nowadays, maybe steam on the weekends.

In downtown Portland, Maine there are some real 2 foot steam trains running on the waterfront, again probably only on weekends.

Have a great trip!

Bob Boudreau
Next door to Maine

[Anonymous]

First get a good translator, what is spoken in Maine and New Hampshire bears only a passing resemblance to what we refer to as English in the rest of the US. Second bring rain gear and sweaters you will need both as it is the cool damp season there. Third have lots of film or extra memory cards for the camera, Colors like you will not believe, if the sun comes out.
All this said in jest, except for the sweaters and rain gear. Have a wonderful vacation exploring our Eastern frontier.
Will

[Anonymous]

Writing from South China, ME (near Augusta). The weather here today will be rain and cool. Tues. (9/27) it will clear and Wed. and Thurs. are supposed to be nice- sunny 65-70. Showers Thurs P.M. and then cooling off toward the weekend. The Maine Eastern is a good choice- the FL-9's look great. Chasing and getting photos is a chellenge but not as great as during the summer. Forget Guilford- few trains, dead motive power etc. The Montral Maine and Atlantic is active but a long way up. Maine Narrow Gauge in Portland is also nice and the ride along the harbor is beautiful. The Conway Scenic is also worth it, especially the Notch Train if it runs midweek. The "Cog" is spectacular but only on a clear day. Lousy weather is miserable. Have fun!

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ngbobme

Writing from South China, ME (near Augusta). The weather here today will be rain and cool. Tues. (9/27) it will clear and Wed. and Thurs. are supposed to be nice- sunny 65-70. Showers Thurs P.M. and then cooling off toward the weekend. The Maine Eastern is a good choice- the FL-9's look great. Chasing and getting photos is a chellenge but not as great as during the summer. Forget Guilford- few trains, dead motive power etc. The Montral Maine and Atlantic is active but a long way up. Maine Narrow Gauge in Portland is also nice and the ride along the harbor is beautiful. The Conway Scenic is also worth it, especially the Notch Train if it runs midweek. The "Cog" is spectacular but only on a clear day. Lousy weather is miserable. Have fun!

Good Lord, you're in South China? I'm in Freedom. Well, actually a few miles from "downtown" Freedom (yeah, right).

How far are you from that 3 rail haven "Mainely Trains" on Rte 3?

Andre

[MisterBeasley]

If you take the Cog Railway this time of year, dress for Winter-with-a-capital-W. You will likely see snow before you reach the top. Mount Washington used to boast the highest recorded wind speed at the surface of the planet, although it's not usually that bad.

In Kennebunkport, Maine, check out the Trolley Museum.

I think there's also a model train museum near North Conway, which is where the Cog Railway starts.

Meredith, New Hampshire, at the northern tip of Lake Winnepesaukee, has a scenic railroad.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MisterBeasley
[I think there's also a model train museum near North Conway, which is where the Cog Railway starts.

The museum is just north of North Conway. I visited it a few years ago, didn't impress me too much, but others may find it different. A part of the complex is the Brass Caboose Hobby Shop, again did not impress me with its "tourist area" pricing - mostly full list price. They wanted $135. for a Bachmann 2-8-0, which were selling elsewhere for $90. Also lots of O scale and garden railway stuff that wasn't for me. I think I only bought a copy of MR.

The Mt. Washington Cog Railway is actually northwest of North Conway, some miles away. I've visited it several times to watch the trains, but never took the time to take a trip on the train. It's 2-3 hours long, and even in the summer they warn you that it will be cold at the top!

[grayfox1119]

I have been visiting Maine and New Hampshire for 25 years, as I live just south of these States in Central Massachusetts. I ride the Conway Scenic RR out of North Conway every year since they re-opened the mountain line through Crawford Notch in 1996. I HIGHLY recommend it. In September, the "NOTCH" train as it is called, runs daily out of North Conway station ( which is a great RR station to see in itself) at 11and goes all the way to Fabyan station where the engine de-couples, and comes around to the front for the return run. Fabyan station is just past the entrance road to the COG RR which runs daily up Mount Washington. This trip takes 5 1/2 hours total. They run trains daily also from North Conway to Conway several times a day, that trip is 1 hour total, and they run a trains also to the town of Bartlett on the same line as the Notch train, several times a day, that run is about 2 hours total. They have lunch and dinner trains also. The NOTCH train runs high along the ridge of Crawford notch and stops for photos of the valley below at two locations high up on a trestle. Don't miss it.
Hartmanns Train and Museum is in Intervale, New Hampshire, it is about 4 miles north of North Conway on routes 302&16. The museum is in a building that must be about 150 feet long and 50 feet wide, it has working layouts of every gauge train, maybe 15 layouts in total. There is a childrens train to ride outside through the pines also. The hobby shop has quite a lot of items, and of course New Hampshire still has NO SALES TAXES. And, when you spend ober $25, you get to pick a marple out of a can and depending upon the color you pick, you get either 5, 10 or 15% off your purchases.
Maine has their narrow Gauge RR in Portland at the docks, and another scenic RR up in Unity, Maine.
I will be up in New Hampshire October 7th for two weeks, can't wait.
And seeing you are here all the way from AZ, if you are in New Hampshire, you are not that far from Tony's Trains in Essex Junction, Vermont. Just take I-93 to St. Johnsbury, VT, and then take 15 to Essex Junction.
The temps can vary widely this time of the year in Northern New England, but typically it is in the 60's daytime, and can get to low 20's at night, but not frequently.
Enjoy your trip,

[Anonymous]

I fya drive through Western Mas on your way definately Check out Hoosac Tunnel
I think theres a HS there as well

[Anonymous]

Well Adam, what time of year are you coming up to NH ??? Most of the people on the board have highlighted the best things to see in NH. I would also recommend stopping over at Lincoln to see the Hobo RR. The Flying Yankee is there and under restoration. The Boston & Maine/Maine Central version of the Burlington Zeypher.

There is a lot to do in a small area. Plan on 2-3 days atleast for the White Mountain area. EVERYTHING shuts down by October 31st. This is the beginning of winter for us. (Sometimes its the 1st-2nd week in October)

Let me know if there is anything else I can help with.

Josh in Manchester, NH

[trainfreek92]

Adam, I am from Massachusets but go to Maine almost every week (we have a vacation place up in old orchard. There is a Good antique train store In Scarbourugh on route 1 called rain day trains.There is also some good railfaning in portland . Just my opinion.

[BR60103]

Look up the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport. See their opening hours. The oldest and one of the friendliest museums I've been to. Turn left at George Bush's place.