Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad
4.5(666)google
3.7(34)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyFall FoliageOutdoorPhoto SpotHistoryLake
Overview
The Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad is a class III shortline railroad operating on the Concord-Lincoln rail line in central New Hampshire, United States. The railroad consists of two distinct passenger operations, the Granite State Scenic Railway, which offers passenger excursion trains in the White Mountains, and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, which operates passenger excursion trains along the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. In addition to passenger operations, the railroad owns the Lincoln Shops, a railroad equipment maintenance and repair facility located in Lincoln, New Hampshire.
Practical Info
Mon–FriClosed
Sat–Sun12:00 – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeLate September to mid-October is the legendary window for autumn leaf-peeper lakefront excursions (Note: Fall foliage train slots must be reserved online weeks in advance). Opt strictly for the 10:30 AM morning departure from Meredith; morning sun glitters beautifully off Lake Winnipesaukee, framing the vintage railcars against deep blue waters.
Getting ThereThe primary boarding terminal is set in downtown Meredith at 154 Main Street. From I-93, take Exit 23 for NH-104 E, drive east for 8 miles to its end, and turn left onto US-3 N. The historic scenic rail depot sits immediately on the right along the bay, fronted by an expansive, free paved parking lot plaza.
Travel Tips
- Fall foliage excursions command massive demand and exhaust ticket pools months out; book 2 months early as walk-up ticket availability is near zero.
- Trains operate on unyielding schedules; passengers must arrive 30 minutes early at Meredith or Weirs Beach depots for physical ticketing.
- Vintage coaches feature semi-open frameworks without climate controls; heavy lake winds necessitate windproof thermals during autumn and spring.
Reviews
Positive
- A vintage excursion train running along NH's largest lake; sitting in cozy cars looking at sparkling water is deeply relaxing.
- The star option is the Turkey Dinner Train; enjoying a hot, authentic turkey feast while tracking scenery yields great memories.
- Brilliant layout for multigenerational families; requires zero hiking, the ride is smooth and slow, and conductors are warm and patient.
- The Meredith station is charmingly retro, situated near harbor parks and waterfront boardwalks with great parking and snack shops.
Heads up
- The standard daytime run features repetitive views; dense trees block the tracks, limiting actual open-water lake visibility.
- Ticket pricing runs high, particularly for the dinner trains; per-person charges carry heavy tourist markups, dropping the value.
- The standard vintage coaches lack AC; during July and August noon runs, the cabins get sweltering with loud, vibrating fans.
- Peak seats sell out fast; if you don't book early to secure a lakeside window, sitting on the opposite side yields dull views.