Conway Scenic Railroad
4.2(6.6K)google
3.0(275)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyFall FoliageOutdoorPhoto SpotMust-SeeHistoryMountain
Overview
The Conway Scenic Railroad (reporting mark CSRX) is a heritage railroad located in North Conway, New Hampshire, owned by Profile Mountain Holdings Corp. The railroad operates over two historic railway routes: a line from North Conway to Conway that was formerly part of the Conway Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and a line from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan that was once part of the Mountain Division of the Maine Central Railroad. The Conway line is owned by Conway Scenic, and leases the Mountain Division that is owned by the State of New Hampshire.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-5 hours
Best TimeLate September to mid-October is the legendary pinnacle for autumn leaf-peeper heritage rail excursions, especially their longer mountaineering routes through the rugged Crawford Notch (Note: First-class dome cars must be reserved online weeks in advance). Board the 11:00 AM morning heritage departure; morning sun lights up the landmark 1874 yellow Victorian brick rail terminal beautifully.
Getting ThereThe historic scenic terminal is perfectly positioned in the absolute heart of downtown North Conway at 38 Norcross Circle. Drive north along the White Mountain main artery NH-16 N straight into the core retail district; the yellow station is prominent on your left. It features an enormous free paved guest lot right outside the boarding gates, a 1-minute walk from local tax-free outlet shopping shacks.
Travel Tips
- The 5-hour Notch Train route requires precise seat assignments; premium glass dome cars during autumn foliage peak sell out 3-4 months in advance online.
- Downtown street spaces near the historic depot enforce an inflexible 2-hour limit; long-route passengers must use the dedicated all-day station rear lot.
- Vintage railcar steps lack modern ADA ramps; bulky strollers and oversized luggage exceeding standard airline carry-on limits are denied boarding.
Reviews
Positive
- A delightfully nostalgic vintage train journey! Sitting in historic wooden coaches winding through the White Mountains is magical for foliage.
- The route options are flexible, offering a casual 1-hour valley run for kids, or a rugged, hard-core 5-hour notch line for deep wilderness views.
- The station itself is a beautifully preserved 1874 Victorian yellow-brick landmark, making you feel as if you've walked onto a movie set.
- The onboard audio guide is professional, and uniform-clad conductors deliver a full sense of ceremony while helping seniors and kids.
Heads up
- The premier long-distance Notch train is very expensive and sells out months in advance; walk-ups have zero chance at good cars.
- The heritage train cars completely lack modern air conditioning, turning the cabins into stuffy, sweltering saunas in July and August.
- The short 1-hour valley trip features rather mundane scenery, mostly tracking repetitive trees and suburban backyards, leading to boredom.
- The North Conway station sits right in a bustling commercial core; station parking gets severely bottlenecked during peak season.