North Conway, NH
Conway Scenic Railroad
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-13- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationNorth Conway, NH
- Rating4.2 ★6,538 Google reviews
- UpcomingFri, Sep 25
- Operating windowThe current public 2026 inventory runs through December 30; operating days and released products vary by month
About Conway Scenic Railroad
Conway Scenic Railroad operates two distinct heritage-train experiences from the restored 1874 North Conway station. The roughly 55-minute, 11-mile Valley Train follows the former Boston & Maine route to Conway and back. The four-to-four-and-a-half-hour Mountaineer travels 50–60 miles round trip over the former Maine Central Mountain Division through Crawford Notch, including Willey Brook Bridge and Frankenstein Trestle. Current tickets also include selected Crawford-origin and hiker options, entertainment trains, and club excursions. Trains are normally diesel-powered; historic steam locomotive No. 7470 remains under repair with no announced return date. Choose the exact live product and seating class because duration, origin, amenities, food rules, dog policy, and accessibility differ.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, families, younger children, and visitors with a shorter schedule
Valley Train
The one-hour-scale introductory ride follows the Saco River Valley between North Conway and Conway with Coach, Comfort, Dome, and selected vintage-car options.
Scenery-focused travelers, rail enthusiasts, photographers, and foliage visitors
Mountaineer
The signature long excursion crosses Crawford Notch on a four-to-four-and-a-half-hour round trip with Coach, Comfort, and Dome classes.
Travelers staying closer to Crawford Notch who can follow a fixed boarding plan
Crawford to North Conway and return
A limited coach product boards at Crawford Notch, pauses briefly in North Conway, and returns west the same day.
Prepared hikers who understand the fixed same-day return
Hiker’s Ticket
Selected Mountaineer dates provide a long Crawford Notch layover before the return train; exact trail, weather, and return-time planning remains the passenger’s responsibility.
Adult groups and visitors seeking an entertainment-led train evening
Murder on the Rails
An adults-oriented theatrical mystery runs on three currently published August dates.
Repeat riders, railfans, and date-flexible special-event travelers
Limited special departures
The current ledger also includes Friday Off the Rails evenings and the November 7 470 Club full-line excursion.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe current public 2026 inventory runs through December 30; operating days and released products vary by month
- ParkingUse signed railroad and public village parking around North Conway Station; event traffic and downtown capacity can vary
- AccessibilityHistoric cars are not fully ADA-compliant. A mobile lift can accommodate many wheelchairs up to 400 lb combined, but class and car access vary; call before booking
- Valley TrainAbout 55 minutes and 11 miles round trip from North Conway to Conway and back, normally April–November
- MountaineerAbout 4–4.5 hours and 50–60 miles round trip through Crawford Notch; selected departures and classes only
- TicketsAdvance online booking is recommended. The North Conway ticket window and phone are generally open 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; live inventory controls seats and price
- ArriveArrive early enough to park, collect tickets if needed, use restrooms, and be ready at the assigned boarding point; Crawford-origin products use a different station
- Restrooms And FoodRestrooms are at North Conway Station and in selected cars, not every car. Mountaineer boxed lunches require advance ordering; outside food and drink are restricted on that train
- PetsSmall well-behaved dogs are permitted only in Valley Train coach under the operator’s current rules; no dogs on the Mountaineer
- Weather And SalesTrains generally operate in normal weather. Ticket sales are final under the operator FAQ; delays, weather, foliage, and views are not refund guarantees
Find the Depot
The Trains
Conway Scenic uses vintage diesel locomotives and a varied passenger fleet. Coach cars provide traditional seating, openable windows in warm weather, and heat in cooler weather but no air conditioning. Comfort Class adds larger seating, legroom, climate control, and large windows. Observation Dome uses 1950s Budd Vista Dome cars with upper-level panoramic glazing and climate control, but dome access is not wheelchair accessible. Historic Canadian National 0-6-0 No. 7470 is under repair; the current FAQ provides no return date, and no ordinary ticket should be represented as steam-powered unless the operator explicitly advertises it.
History
The Nathaniel J. Bradlee-designed North Conway station was completed.
Regular Boston & Maine passenger service to North Conway ended.
Conway Scenic began tourist passenger service on August 4.
Excursion service expanded west through Crawford Notch over the former Maine Central Mountain Division.
A Crawford-origin round trip added another way to experience the notch without beginning in North Conway.
See full history
The North Conway station was completed in 1874 to a design by Boston architect Nathaniel J. Bradlee, serving the Boston & Maine route that helped build White Mountains tourism. Regular common-carrier passenger service ended in 1961. Dwight Smith, H. A. “Bill” Levy, and Carroll Reed organized a tourist operation in the early 1970s, restored the station, and opened Conway Scenic passenger service on August 4, 1974. The railroad later expanded west over the former Maine Central Mountain Division through Crawford Notch, creating the long-distance excursion now marketed as the Mountaineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Conway Scenic train should I choose?
Choose the Valley Train for an approximately 55-minute introductory ride. Choose the Mountaineer for a four-to-four-and-a-half-hour Crawford Notch journey. Then select the seating class based on climate control, view, accessibility, and price.
Is the Mountaineer the Mount Washington Cog Railway?
No. The Mountaineer travels through Crawford Notch and does not climb Mount Washington. The Cog is a separate railroad with a separate base station and ticket.
Will my train be steam-powered?
Do not assume so. The normal service is diesel-powered, and the operator says steam locomotive No. 7470 is under repair with no return date.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
Access varies by car and class. Historic equipment is not fully ADA-compliant; the operator has a mobile lift with a 400-pound combined limit, but Dome is not accessible. Call 603-356-5251 before booking.
Can I bring my dog?
Only small, well-behaved dogs in Valley Train coach under the current policy, generally one per party. Dogs are not permitted on the Mountaineer; service animals follow separate rules.
Are restrooms onboard?
Some cars have restrooms and others do not. North Conway Station has restrooms; confirm the selected class and use station facilities before boarding.
Can I bring food on the Mountaineer?
The operator restricts outside food and beverage on the Mountaineer. Boxed lunches must be ordered at least 48 hours ahead, and current options belong to the live booking flow.
Are all current 2026 dates included here?
Yes for the complete public future inventory reconciled August 13, 2026. Seven visitor programs have released future dates through December 30. Historical and seasonal product tiles without a future date are not presented as scheduled events.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 13, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official Conway Scenic home and current excursion catalog
- Official current FAQ for routes, classes, accessibility, pets, food, restrooms, ticketing, and steam status
- Official Mountaineer route, duration, mileage, classes, and food guidance
- Official Valley Train route, duration, and seating guidance
- Official Crawford-origin itinerary and station-facility guidance
- Official Murder on the Rails program page
- Official station address, phone, email, and department contacts
- Official company and station history
- Official No. 7470 history, reconciled against the newer FAQ for current status
- Operator-linked complete live ticket catalog for current dates and classes
