11 Interesting Facts About the Vintage “Iron Horse of the White Mountains”

The Conway Scenic Railroad

The Conway Scenic Railroad is a living piece of American rail history. Today, the railroad runs on two historic routes through the stunning White Mountains, giving you a real taste of old-time train travel. Here are some interesting facts you may not know this New Hampshire gem.

Its Founder Recently Celebrated His 100th Birthday

Dwight Smith Jr., the man who started it all, turned 100 in early 2025.

Before creating the railroad, Smith served in the Navy during World War II and then worked 26 years for the Boston and Maine Railroad.

He bought the first steam engine for the railroad, which they later named “The Dwight Smith” to honor him. Even at 100, Smith’s passion for trains lives on through the thousands of visitors who enjoy his creation each year.

The Dramatic 1974 Railroad Rescue Story

Growing up in North Conway, Susan Logan often saw the empty, boarded-up train station. The last regular train had left in December 1961, and the once-busy Victorian station sat empty and forgotten for years.

After passenger service ended, Levy and Reed formed the North Conway Depot Company and bought the station and rail yard land. When they heard B&M planned to abandon the Conway Branch in 1968, they jumped into action.

The Locomotive That Almost Burned Down the Roundhouse

On January 3, 2022, at 4:44 AM, a radio inside locomotive No. 7470 caught fire. The fire damaged the cab and the whistle valve spring, causing the whistle to blow non-stop.

Luckily, a mechanic heard the whistle and called 9-1-1. The fire department came quickly and put out the fire.

That broken whistle actually saved the historic 1874 roundhouse from burning down. Workers repaired the locomotive, and by June 2022, it was back carrying passengers along the scenic routes.

The First Freight Train Through Crawford Notch in 26 Years

In 2009, Conway Scenic Railroad made history by running the first scheduled freight train through Crawford Notch since 1983. Before this trip, no freight had moved through the notch since October 1984.

This train carried a massive 227-ton transformer for the local electric company using a special 20-axle Schnabel car. Three locomotives (No. 573, No. 6505, and No. 6516) pulled this impressive load through the mountains.

Welcome to the 1874 Victorian Station

The Conway Railroad experience starts at the beautiful Victorian station in North Conway Village. Built by the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad in 1872, this station has seen everything from regular passengers to the famous ski trains.

Boston architect Nathaniel J. Bradlee designed the station with Russian influences, making it one of America’s most recognizable train stations.

Hop Aboard the Historic Pullman Car

The crown jewel of Conway Scenic’s fleet is the Gertrude Emma, a beautifully restored Pullman Palace Car from 1898.

This first-class observation car was built when Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, was running the Pullman Palace Car Company.

The Gertrude Emma holds a special title as the oldest standard-gauge passenger car still in regular use in America. With its comfortable seating, detailed woodwork, and big windows, riding in this car connects you directly to the old ages.

The Mountaineer: New Hampshire’s Most Spectacular Rail Journey

The railroad’s best trip, The Mountaineer (previously called the Notch Train), takes you through New Hampshire’s most beautiful landscapes.

This 4 to 5.5-hour journey goes through Crawford Notch on 1950s-style streamlined passenger cars, making you feel like you’re on a classic post-WWII cross-country train.

You can choose from Premium Dome, First Class, or Coach seating as you travel past waterfalls, steep cliffs, mountain views, and across the impressive Frankenstein Trestle.

Dine in Style on the Rails

Since 2021, you can enjoy a meal with a view of the Conway Scenic Railroad. They offer dining service in their Rhonda Lee and Leslie Anne dome cars during the Mountaineer excursion. We’re talking white tablecloths, multiple courses, and staff who make sure your meal is as memorable as the mountains.

Cross the Spectacular Frankenstein Trestle

When the Mountaineer train passes through Crawford Notch, it crosses the impressive Frankenstein Trestle, a steel structure that spans a deep valley.

Despite its name, the trestle wasn’t named after the monster but after a 19th-century artist who painted landscapes in the area. The crossing puts you high above the forest floor with steep rock faces surrounding you.

The Engineering Marvel of Crawford Notch

The railroad line through Crawford Notch is an engineering wonder built in the 1870s, before electricity, telephones, or cars existed.

Building tracks through these rugged mountains was considered impossible by many, but the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad (chartered in 1867) proved them wrong.

Two structures stand out as masterpieces of 19th-century engineering: the Frankenstein Trestle and Willey Brook Bridge. The Frankenstein Trestle stands 80 feet above a deep chasm, stretches 500 feet long, and curves at a 4-degree angle.

The original iron trestle from 1875 was replaced with the current structure in 1893, then strengthened in 1930 and 1950 to handle heavier trains.

Plan Your Conway Scenic Railroad Adventure

The Conway Scenic Railroad runs from April to November, with winter trips from late November through February.

Choose from several options: one-hour Valley trip to Conway to the longer Mountaineer journey through Crawford Notch.

In 2025, tickets cost about $75 for Coach to $105 for First Class on the Mountaineer route.

Find them at 38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH 03860. Call 603-356-5251 or 1-800-232-5251 for info.

Dogs are welcome, and kids under 4 ride free in Coach on Valley Trains.