December 2025 Wheel Report
By Brian Solomon
Photos by Mike Lacey
Winter Operations
In recent years, Winter has evolved into a more intensive time of year for Conway Scenic operations. In addition to the Journey to the North Pole evening charter trains, this season the railroad has been operating three Santa’s Holiday Express excursions on the Conway Branch on Saturdays and Sundays, plus the new Winter Mountaineer to Crawford on Saturdays. The Santa’s Holiday Express is a daytime on-train experience that includes on-board holiday themed entertainment for the delight of young travelers. Among the cast of characters entertaining guests is the popular man in the red suit. Extra holiday trains have also been operated for groups. This included the Angels & Elves charity excursion arranged in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of the Mount Washington Valley. This special evening train operated on the Mountain Division on December 16, carrying more than 400 guests through a magical wintery environment to provide a festive Santa experience for the exclusive benefit of the region’s underserved children and their families. It was made possible by generous donations to the Kiwanis Club, including the railroad’s donation of the train service for the evening. Other, extra Santa’s Holiday Express excursions have been operated on select weekdays in conjunction with bus charters and opened for sale to the public as space allowed. Overall, Conway Scenic’s Santa’s Holiday Expresses have been extremely well patronized with the 11:30am and 1:30pm departures from North Conway being among the most popular trains with the traveling public.
Locomotive report
Conway Scenic’s former Maine Central GP38 255 and former Baltimore & Ohio/Chesapeake & Ohio GP9 1751 have worked most of the Santa’s Holiday Expresses, with 1751 at the east-end (Conway end) 255 at the west-end of the consist. The longer than usual train requires locomotives at either end to overcome the limitations of the run-around trackage at the Conway station. On Sunday, December 14th, former Norfolk & Western GP35 216 took the place of 255, since the GP38 needed to begin its FRA mandated 92-inspection. From the end of November, 216 had largely been working the Winter Mountaineer to Crawford. Fewer locomotives are required to maintain the Winter timetable and as a result former Maine Central GP7 573 is stored serviceable inside the roundhouse, while former Maine Central GP38 252 has been drained for the winter season and stored out of service. Former New Haven Railroad RDC number 23—Millie—is also stored out of service for the season.
New Year’s Eve Late Special
The railroad has planned a new one-time offering for December 31st. This has been advertised as a way to “Ring in 2026 on-board the train”. Conway Scenic is one of the principal sponsors of this year’s fireworks display as part of North Conway’s New Year’s Night Out organized by Visit Mt. Washington Valley. As scheduled this special Train boards at 7:45 pm at North Conway for an 8 pm departure. Itinerary includes a short run to Moat Brook, return to North Conway to view 9 pm fireworks from the train followed by a trip west into the Mount Washington Valley. Passengers will ring in the New Year on board the train and return to North Conway just after midnight on January 1st. There will be on-board entertainment and a festive atmosphere. It is expected that the train ride will be just over 4-hours, arriving back at North Conway just after midnight. Tickets are for Adults (over 21) only. The railroad has been experimenting with new excursions themes, which has included the Murder on the Rails entertainment options, which is re-introduction and adaptation of the classic murder mystery. Following the success of these trains over the summer and autumn, more performances are scheduled from Saturday January 31st through February.