You should know I like riding trains – and you may remember it has sadly been awhile. But on Saturday, May 18, the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc., had an excursion of the Granite State Scenic Railroad from Meredith, NH to Lincoln, NH and return. Not familiar with the Granite State Scenic Railroad? In August 2023, “Patriot Rail Company LLC announced it has assumed ownership and operations of the Hobo Railroad and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, located in Lincoln, NH, and Meredith NH, respectively. Both scenic railroads operate across 54 miles of historic track which navigates through the beautiful White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire.” The route for today’s trip on the “Granite State Special” was over some of that track that you seldom have an opportunity to travel on.

In August 2018, I traveled on the Winnepesaukee Scenic Railroad from Meredith south to Lakeport, so now I HAD TO GO IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. If you are catching a train two hours drive away from home, best to position yourself the night before so to “not miss the train.” And, on Friday the 17th, that is what I did at the Ballard Inn in Meredith.

the view outside my room, and my room.

I soon scooted over to the Meredith train station — well, just because I wanted to:

and, the details for this adventure

DINNER TIME — If you have driven from Weirs Beach to Meredith anytime in the past 70 years you have passed Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant. I have been passing by for almost 50 years, but never stopped. Probably because there is always a queue to get in the parking lot, and they now have 500 seats. Well, tonight was the night – lots of space, and even with the small special platter lots of food. Read their history (and daily amounts served) on the menu below. My small turkey portion hid a mound of wonderful stuffing.

good night

In the morning, with a number of train aficionados (nuts) at the inn, our hostess served us all breakfast an hour early so we would not miss her great breakfast, or the train. Even arriving at the station an hour early, I was one of the last to arrive. Excited enthusiasts? Below an image of the “consist” later in the day.

When I signed up for this trip – early I may add – the first class parlor car was already sold out – BUT many weeks later – always at a computer, an email arrived – “Parlor Car Seats now Available” – I clicked the link, found three seats open, paid my $100 for the upgrade. Checking 30 minutes later those three seats were all gone.

View from my seat when I settled in

Looking at the car interior from my seat – we were the first to ever sit on these seats — not like original, but nice and comfortable – worth the extra coin.

for comparison, here is the interior of one of the three Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDC) on the consist.

most of this route is through the remote woods of New Hampshire, following much of the 65 mile long Pemigewasset River (the PEMI). We stopped in Plymouth.

A view crossing the PEMI – note two “buffies” in the river.

Remember I “discovered” “buffies and foamers” on my last excursion to Whitehall in September 2023? Well, I had fun seeing them again, and every time we approached a road crossing or open area. Here is a small sampling of my images of these folks. We found out the FEDEX driver did not have time to switch vehicles, so his boss let him chase us with the company truck.

think I am in love with a river.

the northern terminus of the excursion is at the station in Lincoln – formerly the Hobo Railroad.

In the yard is the amazing —

trucks off – up on blocks – and awaiting its new life (read further below)

yes, I have written about this train — just down the hill from my back yard were the rail lines abandoned in 1962, and the Walpole train station. In 1945 the Flying Yankee derailed here. This is what I wrote for my DID YOU KNOW THAT… article in the February 2020, issue of my paper, THE WALPOLE CLARION.

and, the latest news —

It was so much fun listening to the die hard rail enthusiasts chatter in the seats surrounding me. One fellow working for the railroad knew this route when it was active pointing out the sites of old factories served. And others shared train lore. I have decided that I will head back soon to this area to explore by road the small towns and old mill sites – and, of course, report to you what I find. In the inspection of this route recently, about 4,000 ties were replaced, and are now waiting go go to Maine for a special bio-mass burner – may not have name correct.

and then it was time for the “RUNBYS” – an old tradition when passengers can get off the train, the train backs up, travels past the “crowd” and then backs to the debarking point for passengers to rebound. We had two “RUNBYS” and here are my videos – no obligation to watch of course, but there will be a quiz.

backing down after the second RUNBY – how can you not love this?

heading south passing through Plymouth and its station

and arriving for a visit in Ashland. The “wealth of knowledge” passenger had stated this was the geographic center of NH – you know I checked, and – “The geographic center of New Hampshire is located in Belknap County, 3 miles east of Ashland.”

the Ashland Historical Society now owns the station as its museum, and greeted us in costume, even though in light rain.

this young lad was learning the telegraph

as I am finishing this up, even at 9:10 pm I can hear trains on the tracks across the Connecticut River in Vermont. Oh, there goes the whistle — there are three grade crossings on dirt dead end roads — but you know the law — I am not complaining. Below are some panels in the train station about the small nearby lake (that I did not know about) and its summer resorts — , you should know my interest in late 19th century resorts — see why I am exploring by road, and soon? – do remember you can click on my gallery images for larger full views.

as we approach Memorial Day — stay safe and well – I am staying put, and do have a project in the works – in fact there is an excavator in my back yard now, firing up in the morning. And, there is a another train trip soon – a day trip, and my sons will be joining me –CHOO-CHOO, luv, RAY