Conway Scenic Train Adventure Frankenstein Trestle Crawford Notch
Here are a few photos and videos of my fun day on September 15, 2014 with my co-workers from the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad.
The Conway Scenic Railroad has a very large operation with many pieces of equipment and a very long stretch of rail line up the Crawford Notch U-shaped valley created by the massive Continental glaciers that started to melt 14,000 years ago here in New Hampshire.
I hope you enjoy these photos and videos as much as I enjoyed my day on the train with my friends. The videos are at the BOTTOM of the page.
Does this photo even need a caption? Wow! Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Here's the Canadian National 7470 steam locomotive on the round table. Photo credit: Tim Carter, W3ATB
Look at the massive snowplow. The blade runs right on top of the track. It's at least 12-feet tall! Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
This is looking down the great valley from Crawford Notch. It's a CLASSIC U-shaped glacial valley. Can you imagine just 14,000 years ago this valley was filled with ice and the ice was at least another 1,000 feet on top of the peaks you see in the photo. It blanketed the entire New England area, stretched down to Cape Cod, MA, across to Cincinnati, OH, then to North Dakota and back up to the North Pole where the ice was probably a mile thick. It had all melted by 3,000 years ago without any help from us! Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
That's solid granite above the train on the cliff. The people in the dome car sure had a spectacular ride! Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Stream-tumbled rounded rocks in the Saco River along the rail line. Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Two weeks from now the colors of the leaves will be beyond description. Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Don't worry, the 216 was parked and a full brake set was on the train. Everyone was off the train up at Crawford Station eating lunch. Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Theresa, who has taken me under her wing as a new conductor, is about to lay a smooch on Reuven, the train's conductor. Theresa has worked on the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad for years and is a human version of the Energizer bunny. I had a great conversation with Reuven during the ride and told him about the magic of conductor upgrades. NOTE TO SELF: I MUST have a vest and pocket watch for next season! Photo credit: Tim Carter - W3ATB
Here's the Mt. Washington hotel. It's where the US Dollar became the world reserve currency in 1944. Mt. Washington is the peak that's completely shadowed by the clouds. Photo credit: Tim Carter, W3ATB
Hey Tim,
Thank you so much for the videos. They are so great plus i have learned the difference in lens on the cameras. Hope you have a great day/week.
Darren Otey 73
KB4RGX
Great Pictures ,and mighty Locs. Thank you
Tim,
Thanks for sharing your experiences and the beautiful photos. I can see why you left my near neighbor Cincy for New Hampshire. I live in Indianapolis and am jealous.
Bob Young
Bob, Kathy and I honeymooned up here. We were BLOWN AWAY by the natural beauty. My photos only show a SMALL AMOUNT. You should see the amazing gorge I discovered today doing ham radio outdoors! Livermore Falls on the Pemigewasset River. Look it up.
I like trains, ham radio, and nature just like you. You need to consider one of my favorite hobbies, rock collecting. There are some nice places in maine to collect. WU8F
I do collect rocks! Remember, my college degree is in geology! You should see some of the cool stuff I've got. Email me some of your photos.
My wife, Debbie, might have sold you the tickets, if you called. She works for the CSRR as a ticket taker/order taker. Glad you had fun.
TY for sharing reminds me of when I was 9. Views to <3. Nature Unspoiled 🙂
Tim I too love trains of all types. Thanks for posting this.
I have had the pleasure of riding the train out of Skagway Alaska and the Smokey Mtn. Run.
Whenever I am in the Flagstaff Arizona area I make it a point to stay over night in Flagstaff , get to the train station (depot) and watch and feel the tremendous power of those Rumbling BSNF Diesels ( usually 3 or more) pulling 100 plus freight cars about every 20 minutes. Now that is some nice free entertainment. !!!
I also saw the Amtrack go through Flagstaff a couple of weeks ago
My next excursion will be the Durango to Silverton run. I have already checked it out.
BTW the video on drilling steel was great too.
Yes, those big freight trains roaring on welded rail across mountain passes is a thrilling experience. Many people forget that the train is still down the hill so the locomotives have thousands of tons to still get up over the hill. Then to smell the dynamic brakes at the bottom of a long grade. My tiny scenic train is no comparison weighing in at just about 400 tons. 🙂