Conway Scenic 7470 steams across the small truss bridge near Woodland Pines in Intervale, New Hampshire, out for first steam run of the season the day before Railfan Weekend on September 14, 2012.

Conway Scenic Railfan Weekend

by Wally Hills/photos by the author

Welcome to Photo Line! New Hampshire's Conway Scenic Railroad has been a fan favorite since its humble beginnings in 1974. Operating over the north end of the former Boston & Maine Conway Branch and through Crawford Notch over the former Maine Central's Mountain Division, it's clear why thousands flock to North Conway each season!. Each September, the Conway Scenic has hosted a special "Railfan Weekend" with special consists and extra operations including steam and diesel, freight and passenger. Join photographer Wally Hills as we journey to the White Mountains of New Hampshire!

Pardon me...

Conway Scenic (former Maine Central) 573 backs off the turntable as 7470 gets under steam inside the roundhouse at North Conway, New Hampshire.

All steamed up

Conway Scenic 7470 (a former Grand Trunk Railway 0-6-0 built in 1921) steams out of the roundhouse at North Conway.

Old and new at North Conway

Conway Scenic 573 is in charge of a short cut of vintage fright cars, while 216 (an ex-N&W high-hood GP35 painted in tribute to the Maine Central) poses alongside at North Conway station.

The hogger

The engineer of 7470 leans out his window to survey the scene at North Conway.

Conway Cab Unit

Boston & Maine 4266 (an EMD F7A owned by the 47o Railroad Club of Portland, Maine) prepares to lead a short train of coaches from North Conway. The 4266 was retired by the B&M in 1976 and was the last F-unit still serving the railroad.

Highball North Conway

Flying white flags, Conway Scenic 573 prepares to take a short photo freight south from North Conway station. The ancient highball signal is an example that was once common throughout all New England railroads.

Crossing Frankenstein Trestle

Conway Scenic 252 (a former Maine Central GP38 built in 1966) leads an excursion over Frankenstein Trestle. The 252 had the distinction of leading one of the last through freights over the Mountain Division in 1983.

This Budd's for you

A smiling engineer enjoys the day from his cab aboard the Conway Scenic's Budd RDC, former New Haven 23 originally built in 1952. This car served Penn Central, Amtrak, Metro-North, and the Susquehanna before coming to Conway Scenic in 2008. It is used in the off-season when lighter patronage dictates the use of a smaller train.

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