Conway Scenic Railroad

[Janet]

Has anyone done this trip? Their website says there are two trains, the Valley Train and the Notch Train. Which one is the better ride? I'm sure both are beautiful scenic rides but wondered if one trip is better than the other. We'll be at the lake for the month of August with 4 kids ages 6-11, one of which is a real train nut.

[fatlazyless]

Frankenstein rail road trestle bridge, just across the gorge and below the top of the road in Crawford Notch was built by state prison work crews in the 1930's. It always reminds me of an Indiana Jones movie type of a place. Head for the mountains, definately!

[Rose]

My husband and I went on the Conway excursion of the Valley train. It was okay, but it went too close to developed areas too often for our tastes. The Bartlett excursion sounds more like what we would enjoy. Both of these rides are under two hours.

From what I see on the website, the two excursions on the Notch train are very long - 5 hours for one, 5-1/2 hours for the other. That may be too long for a 6-year old, but only you know for sure.

[Lin]

My husband and I went on the Conway excursion of the Valley train. It was okay, but it went too close to developed areas too often for our tastes. The Bartlett excursion sounds more like what we would enjoy. Both of these rides are under two hours.

From what I see on the website, the two excursions on the Notch train are very long - 5 hours for one, 5-1/2 hours for the other. That may be too long for a 6-year old, but only you know for sure.


I was going to suggest the same thing Rose. We have done both trips the short version and the long version. The last time we took the long version our son (still nuts about trains) loved the ride at age 8 but our daughter we who was 5 at the time, we could not wait to get OFF the train, she cried and was bored the entire time. We loved the scenery on the longer version and we enjoyed the ride with the exception of trying to keep a crying child happy and entertained while stuck on the train. My husband and I would love to enjoy the trip just ourselves.

[Janet]

Thanks for the input. I think you're all right in choosing the 2 hour trip. The real train nuts can go another time without the kids.

[Dave M]

Suggestion, take the Notch. I believe the trains are spaced apart that you can go in the morning, get off the train and return on a later train. The train stops at Crawford Notch Depot and if your into hiking, go up to Willard Mtn. Its a fairly easy climb(1hr or so) and you'll be looking at the Notch that you just came across. Excellent view and good for picnics. They have picnic tables around the area. You also could walk down the street and see a waterfall. You also could go over to Fabyan Station(believe train stops there as well) for a quick bite to eat. If you go to Fayban, Bretton Woods is across the street. They may offer rides in a chairlift up the Mountain. Years ago you can ride up to a restaurant. Don't know if they still offer that. Have done the climb, Bretton Woods and Fayban Station. This is a great area to see.

Enjoy

Dave M