June 2025 Wheel Report
By Brian Solomon
Photos by Mike Lacey
First 2025-season Shore Excursion Extra
Since autumn 2023, Conway Scenic Railroad has been accommodating cruise ship shore excursionists. These guests are collected from Portland, Maine in motor coaches operated by Conway Scenic sister company VIP Tour and Charter Bus and brought to North Conway or Crawford to board trains for the journey through Crawford Notch. Shore excursionists organize their bus-train trip through the cruise provider, and these excursions typically include extras, such as a North Conway shopping trips. Depending on the nature of the shore excursion and the day and time of year of the individual cruise, shore excursionists have been accommodated either on regularly scheduled trains or extra moves specially scheduled for the shore excursion. On Friday May 30th, Conway Scenic operated the first shore excursion extra of the 2025 season. A group of shore excursionists boarded Budd RDC Millie at North Conway for an afternoon departure to Crawford Notch. The railroad’s single RDC is well-suited for moderate-size groups. The car is easy to board, provides a comfortable ride, offers large picture windows and is fully climate controlled, while being economical to operate. There is also historical precedence for running Budd RDCs over Crawford Notch, since Boston & Maine/Maine Central’s jointly run seasonal services on this route routinely used RDCs for a few years during the mid-1950s.
150th Anniversary Events and Special trains
To celebrate 150 years of railroad operations over Crawford Notch, Conway Scenic is planning for several events and special runs.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 7 PM, the Bartlett Historical Society Museum will feature a special program by the Society’s Railroad Historian, Scott Mallet on the Portland & Ogdensburg Railroad construction through Crawford Notch. This will focus on the Frankenstein Trestle.
Sunday, June 29th is the anniversary of original Frankenstein Trestle opened to traffic by the Portland & Ogdensburg back in 1875. In honor of this event, Conway Scenic has scheduled the Frankenstein Trestle Completion Commemoration Special. This will use the Mountaineer train set, and will pause at key locations along the line, including a stop at Frankenstein to enable travelers to see the famous bridge up close.
Friday, August 1, at 7 PM the Bartlett Historical Society Museum will host historian and author Ben English who will deliver a program titled A Century of Railroading in Crawford Notch that focuses on the operation of the Maine Central’s Mountain Division.
On August 2, the railroad plans a grand celebration train to commemorate the completion of the line over Crawford Notch. Back on August 7, 1875, P&O brought a cannon up from Portland and issued a salute at key locations along the line to mark the completion of the railroad. Conway Scenic is planning to recreate the spirit of this cacophonous event. See: conwayscenic.com for tickets for these special trains.
Locomotive Assignments
During early June, GP9 1751 has been assigned to the Valley train (North Conway to Conway), while GP38 252 has been working the Mountaineer over Crawford Notch. GP7 573 has been on loan the New Hampshire Central portion of the Vermont Rail System, and was expected to be returned to Conway Scenic on the week of June 9th. During early June GP38 255 was undergoing repainting at the North Conway round house.
Summer Schedule
Beginning July 1st, Conway Scenic will introduce its new Summer schedule. Tuesday through Sunday, this will involve operation of up to six Valley trains on the Conway run and two Mountaineers over Crawford Notch. By increasing the number of trains the railroad will be able to make better use of its passenger equipment, especially high-demand cars such as the Budd Vista Domes, while offering more departures from North Conway during peak hours. A related change is the addition of a one-way bus option for Mountaineer excursionists. The bus is aimed to allow for a shorter travel option for Crawford Notch passengers by offering the option to travel in one direction by train and the other by bus. See the website for details: conwayscenic.com