The U.S. state of New Hampshire is one of the six states that make up the region known as New England. It is a state that has much natural beauty. Its most famous site was a rock formation that, when seen from a particular direction, had the shape of an old man. Sadly, the rock face eroded years ago, but you can still visit the site where the rock face once was. Then you have the world famous Mount Washington, the highest point in the state and it known to have the world’s worst weather. Another popular thing in the state happens to be… a train ride.
Welcome to the Conway Scenic Railroad, one of the most popular train rides in the United States of America. Why is it called the Conway Scenic Railroad? As you drive to the town of North Conway, you will begin to see the answer to the question. The scenery will amaze you, and you will be amazed as you see it from the seat of a train.
You arrive in the town of North Conway, and it is an impressive small town. Then you arrive at the Conway Scenic Railroad, and you are totally amazed. What is amazing you? The first thing you see when you arrive at the Conway Scenic Railroad is the train station. Yes. Most train excursions leave from train stations, but the North Conway Train Station was built in 1874. As you look at the old train station, you may find yourself in a different time. You enter the ticket office to buy your tickets, and you walk through the small museum that tells the history of the railroad in the region and the gift shop.
The train station is amazing, but you did not come to the town of North Conway, New Hampshire to just see the old train station. You came here to ride the train. This is not just any train. This is the Conway Scenic Railroad, one of the most popular train rides in the nation.
The time has come. The vintage train pulls into the station, and you board one of the vintage train cars. From your seat, you are already seeing the beauty of New Hampshire. The train begins to pull out of the station, and you are shortly out of the town. You cross over rivers and streams and see fields and mountains to include the world famous Mount Washington. You ride to the end, and you return to the station.
The Conway Scenic Railroad has numerous excursion routes. This means that you will need to return again. After your first train ride, you will want to come back to ride the other excursion trains.
The Conway Scenic Railroad is located in North Conway, New Hampshire at 30 Norcross Circle which is just off of U.S. Route 302 and New Hampshire Route 16. Parking is on site. Please note that due to the age of the facility and the trains, they are not wheelchair accessible, but they are happy to assist those with mobility issue in any way they can so that they can enjoy the ride. Learn more about the excursions, the train schedules, buy tickets, and read more into the railroad at https://www.conwayscenic.com/.
Why is the Conway Scenic Railroad one of the most popular train rides in the United States of America? The best way to answer this question is to make your way to the small New Hampshire town of North Conway and to ride the train. Once you ride the train, your question will be answered.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 