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Old 01-06-2005, 12:21 PM   #8
mcdude
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Default Lakeport and beyond.


Lakeport Station from Union Ave. Many of these buildings are still there.

From the Library of Congress Collection found here......

The following text is excerpted from the Hobo and Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad Web page Boston, Concord and Montreal Line
LAKEP0RT The freight house is still standing here, on our left behind the fire station. There remains an unused track which meandersed for about,a mile thru the Irwin Marine boat yard on the right, continued across Route 3, through McDonald's parking lot to an industrial are in recent years. This is the remnant of the Lakeport Branch which ran from Dover to Lakeport until 1935 when trackage between Alton Bay and Gilford was abandoned. The station at Alton Bay on Route 11 with its order board was on this branch. Grade crossing signals are planned here after 2002. We again cross the Winnipesaukee River, on a bridge modified as a draw bridge in 1990 for the use of the many pleasure boaters in the area. A state owned engine house was constructed in the 1970 s for use of the operators of this trackage. Behind it can be seen the only remaining stall of the former original brick engine house. Paugus Bay is on our right for several miles. Trains from the Winipesaukee Scenic Railroad stop here, where the long siding is, to exchange ends with the engine so they can continue their trip back to Weirs Beach and Meredith. 6000 ties were installed from this point to Meredith in 1997 with the completion with ballast and laser alignment done in 2001. The Elm St grade crossing, just before the freight house, was relocated and new crossing protection added in 2003.

LAKEPORT STATION DISMANTLED. See articles (below) from the Laconia Citizen.
article #1
article #2
article #3

"Attention all passengers! Please step to the right for the train to the Weirs and Meredith. Step to the left for the westbound train stopping in Laconia"

WEIRS BEACH A summer colony for well over a century. The railroad shares the station with the MV Mt. Washington II. This diesel powered ship cruises the lake during the summer months on 2 - 2 1/2 hour cruises. Smaller boats, the Doris E. and the Sophie C. offer shorter voyages.

Link to an older postcard of this station

The station and boardwalk was rebuilt in 1986-87. We proceed northward along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee's Meredith Bay, passing occasional clusters of cottages before passing under Route 3 and arriving at Meredith. This is the main stop for the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and where thousands of tourists board for the scenic lakeside ride.

(From the Rattlesnake Gal Collection) Tracks at the Weirs Station. A Library of Congress Photo - 1908
For more on the WEIRS DEPOT....CLICK HERE

MEREDITH The freight house, a baggage car, some cabooses occupy the yard area. This is the base of operations for the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and the most northern of its stations. Here trains turn for the return trip to Weirs Beach and then Lakeport. The former passenger station was relocated to the hill above the tracks at the Route 3 overpass years ago, and served as a restaurant. It burned several years ago and has not been replaced. The former passenger station site is marked by a curbed, paved platform on our right on the north side of Main St. Lake Waukewan is on our right as you leave town. Year-round passenger service to Meredith ended on October 25, 1959. Summer service from mid-June until mid-September continued until 1965.

(From the mcdude Collection)

____________
"LAST STOP AHEAD! LACONIA DEPOT! Prepare to disembark!"
Instead of heading toward Weirs Beach, Meredith and beyond to the White Mountains, one could head west toward Laconia. Laconia boasted a superb station completed in August of 1892 and designed by New York architect Bradford L. Gilbert. This magnificent structure still stands today. It features a Romanesque Revival style. It is constructed of light gray rusticated granite highlighted by red sandstone trim and set in a red mortar.

Click here for many more photos and a history of this station

Click here for a bit of the history of industry and the railroad in Lakeport and Laconia


(From the mcdude Collection)

A photo taken between 1900-1910 (A Library of Congress Photo From the RattlesnakeGal Collection)



Click here for a Photopost photo of the station by FlyGuy


(From the Webmaster collection - thanks Don!)
Laconia had quite a railroad history of its' own. It was famous for the train cars made at the Laconia Car Company. Click for more information

The Laconia Depot itself is listed in the Registry of Historic Places as follows:

Laconia Passenger Station ** (added 1982 - Building - #82001667)
Also known as Laconia Railroad Station;Boston & Maine Railroad Station
Veterans Sq., Laconia
Historic Significance: Person, Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Gilert,Bradford L.
Architectural Style: Romanesque, Other
Historic Person: Busiel,Charles A.
Significant Year: 1892
Area of Significance: Transportation, Commerce, Architecture, Industry
Period of Significance: 1875-1899
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Transportation
Historic Sub-function: Rail-Related
Current Function: Government, Transportation
Current Sub-function: Government Office, Road-Related

This concludes our railway journey for today. Please exit the car carefully. Hope you had a pleasant trip. Hey! Who's that sleeping in the back of the train? Upthesaukee? ...WAKE UP!





This thread continued here...... CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Last edited by mcdude; 01-20-2012 at 05:42 PM.
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