October 2026 Wheel Report

By Brian Solomon

photos by Mike Lacey (except as noted)

2026 Autumn Season

This autumn, the railroad has handled a high tide of visitors. Since the late September schedule change, the railroad has operated at least seven trains a day, seven days a week. This includes five Valley Train runs to Conway and two scheduled Mountaineer runs to Crawford Notch.

From the end of September through mid-October, the Mountaineer consist has regularly operated with nine cars, led by a handsome three-unit set of EMD diesel locomotives: GP38 252, GP35 216, and GP38 255. In addition, during September, the railroad operated three extra trains to Crawford Notch primarily for the benefit of bus tour passengers with a scheduled departure from North Conway at 11:30 a.m.

Despite the additional seating capacity made possible by operating two daily trains to Crawford Notch, almost every available seat has been sold during the peak period. This included strong traffic from cruise ship shore excursion guests, who arrived by luxury motorcoach from Portland and typically traveled in one direction over Crawford Notch as part of their White Mountain Explorer excursion package. Shore excursionists’ direction of travel by train depends on the arrival and departure times of their specific cruise at the Portland waterfront.

The railroad will continue operating the Mountaineer on its autumn schedule into early November, as interest in this excursion remains very strong among the traveling public. The train has also attracted intense interest from railroad photographers, who have taken advantage of fine autumn weather and superb seasonal foliage to make image of the big train on the Mountain Division.

The Valley Train has also been extremely popular, with most trains sold to capacity during the first two weeks of October. Keeping trains running during the peak season is hard work, and Conway Scenic’s employees have put in long hours to accommodate the railroad’s busiest season. The autumn season is not only more intensive than it was years ago, but it also begins sooner and lasts weeks longer than it historically did.

Maine Central 333

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the body of former Maine Central business car 333 was delivered to North Conway by an over-the-road trucking firm. The car’s trucks had been delivered previously and were in place when the body arrived. The 470 Railroad Club purchased the car for long-term preservation.

The car was built as a private car in 1924 for R.T. Crane, a member of the Crane family of well-respected industrialists. Later acquired by the Maine Central Railroad, it was renamed Lone Tree.

For decades, No. 333 served Maine Central as an office car and was often used by the railroad’s presidents until the mid-1980s.

For many years, the car was stored indoors at the back of Pan Am Railway’s Maine Central shops in Waterville, Maine. A few years ago, it was sold to the then-owner of the Hobo Railroad, now Patriot Rail’s Granite State Railway. Patriot Rail subsequently arranged the sale of No. 333 to the 470 Railroad Club.

Since its arrival at North Conway, the car has been stored on Middle Track, where work is underway to reinstall equipment that had necessarily been removed to facilitate its transport to the railroad. Recently, an experienced preservationist inspected the car’s mahogany interior and found it to be in very good condition.

This period photo from the 1920s depicts Maine Central business car 333 when it was owned by the Crane family. Various members of the Crane family are enjoying the view from the rear platform. Photo supplied by the Crane family estate.

Halloween Express

Toward the end of the busy autumn season, Conway Scenic Railroad will offer its annual Halloween Express to delight young visitors and their families. This fun-filled onboard train experience will operate in place of the Valley Train on the Conway Branch during the weekend of October 24 and 25.

This is a family-friendly Halloween party on the rails that is fun but not too scary. Like the Valley Train, it is aimed at providing an hour-long excursion aboard the railroad’s vintage railcars, offering a classic train experience.

Entertainment will include onboard Halloween characters carrying treats to hand out. The railroad encourages youngsters to dress in costume. Every party purchasing a child’s ticket will be eligible to choose from a selection of complimentary pumpkins—while supplies last.

Halloween Express excursions will depart North Conway Station at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 am., 12:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. only on October 24 and 25, 2026.