Lincoln, NH
White Mountain Central Railroad
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeFamily theme-park railroad through a historic covered bridge and staged Wolfman territory
- LocationLincoln, NH
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- Typical rideAbout 25 minutes over a 2.5-mile route
- Operating windowPublished train dates run May 23-October 11 on pink, purple, and yellow park-calendar days
- Tickets & faresIncluded with Clark's Bears park admission; online advance adult price is $33 and day-of is $37
- AccessibilityWheelchair lift serves the coach closest to the locomotive from the Railroad Station side only; arrive 10 minutes early and notify staff
About White Mountain Central Railroad
White Mountain Central Railroad is the 2.5-mile, approximately 25-minute train ride inside the family-owned Clark's Bears attraction in Lincoln. The trip crosses the relocated 1904 Howe-truss covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River and continues into the staged Wolfman territory. Clark's 2026 park admission includes the train and its other main attractions; the railroad is not sold as a separate scenic excursion ticket.
Plan a White Mountain Central Railroad Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies, covered-bridge enthusiasts, and first-time riders
Cross the covered bridge
Ride over the 1904 Howe-truss wooden bridge that Clark's moved from Vermont and rebuilt across the Pemigewasset River.
Families who enjoy a playful staged adventure
Enter Wolfman territory
Continue beyond the bridge into the theatrical forest sequence where the Wolfman pursues the train in his homemade vehicle.
Railfans and steam-focused visitors
Choose steam dates deliberately
Use the published 2026 locomotive dates when Climax steam power matters, while retaining a backup plan because motive power can change.
Active visitors building a full White Mountains day
Pair the train with Lost River
Drive west into Kinsman Notch for a timed, self-guided gorge loop with waterfalls and optional boulder caves.
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
- 2026 seasonPublished train dates run May 23-October 11 on pink, purple, and yellow park-calendar days
- Pink and purple times10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30
- Yellow times10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30
- Ride lengthAbout 25 minutes over a 2.5-mile route
- Route1904 covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River and staged Wolfman territory
- AdmissionIncluded with Clark's Bears park admission; online advance adult price is $33 and day-of is $37
- Young childrenAges 1-3 are free under the published 2026 admission policy
- Motive powerPublished Climax steam dates July 1-August 23, August 29-30, and September 5-7; diesel on other listed locomotive periods
- AccessibilityWheelchair lift serves the coach closest to the locomotive from the Railroad Station side only; arrive 10 minutes early and notify staff
- AnimalsService dogs are allowed under park rules; the published calendar says no pets
- Address110 US Route 3, Lincoln, NH 03251
- Schedule cautionAll schedules, fares, and locomotives are subject to change without notice
Find the Depot
The Trains
The current 2026 locomotive schedule assigns Climax steam locomotive No. 6 to July 1-August 23, August 29-30, and September 5-7, with diesel power during published shoulder-season periods. The historic collection also includes Porter, Heisler, Shay, Baldwin, GE diesel, gasoline locomotive, and rail-bus equipment, but preserved or serviceable status does not mean a locomotive will pull a given passenger trip. Verify the day because motive power is explicitly subject to change.
History
The Howe-truss covered bridge was built for the Barre & Chelsea Railroad in East Montpelier, Vermont.
Florence and Edward Clark opened the family's Eskimo Sled Dog Ranch.
The first bears arrived at the Clark property.
The trained bear show debuted.
The Clark brothers began laying the first White Mountain Central Railway track.
The first train ride operated on July 30.
Clark's purchased the 1904 covered bridge and began its relocation project.
The dismantled bridge relocation and reassembly project was completed over the Pemigewasset River.
See full history
The Clark family opened an Eskimo sled-dog ranch in 1928, added bears in 1930, and debuted the bear show in 1949. Brothers W. Murray and Edward M. Clark began laying the railroad in 1955 after rescuing steam locomotives from scrapping. The first ride ran July 30, 1958. Clark's acquired a 1904 Barre & Chelsea Railroad Howe-truss bridge in 1960, dismantled and moved it piece by piece, and placed it over the Pemigewasset River after a four-year project.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does White Mountain Central Railroad run in 2026?
Clark's published calendar shows train service on pink, purple, and yellow dates from May 23 through October 11. Green dates list the gift shop only, and grey dates are closed.
What time are the trains?
Pink and purple schedule days publish departures at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30. Yellow days add a 3:30 departure.
How long is the ride?
The official attraction description lists an approximately 25-minute, 2.5-mile ride through the covered bridge and into Wolfman territory.
Does the train require a separate ticket?
No separate train-only fare is published. The ride is one of the main attractions included with Clark's Bears admission.
When is the steam locomotive scheduled?
Climax steam power is published for July 1-August 23, August 29-30, and September 5-7. Diesel is listed for the other published locomotive periods, and motive power can change.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
A lift serves the coach closest to the locomotive, but only from the Railroad Station side. Arrive at least 10 minutes early and tell a conductor or ticket agent that lift boarding is needed.
Can I bring a pet?
The 2026 calendar says no pets. Service dogs are permitted under the park's published rules, with visitors responsible for control and care.
What happens on the route?
The train crosses a relocated 1904 wooden covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River and continues into a staged Wolfman encounter before returning.
Are the locomotives in the photographs guaranteed?
No. The gallery uses clearly dated historical photographs to document the collection. Use the current locomotive schedule for planning and verify again because assignments can change.
How should I pair the train with Lost River Gorge?
Lost River is about 7 road miles west and usually takes 1.5-2 hours plus driving. Reserve its timed arrival, account for more than 1,000 stairs and weather, and protect the railroad's published departure window.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 Clark's Bears calendar for every operating date, train departure, park hours, pet notice, and change disclaimer
- Official Clark's train attraction page for ride length, distance, route, covered bridge, Wolfman, and accessibility
- Official 2026 admission page for advance and day-of pricing, age bands, and included attractions
- Official White Mountain Central homepage for current 2026 season, park relationship, diesel-to-steam transition, and ticket boundary
- Official railroad history for the Clark timeline, first ride, rescued locomotives, and covered-bridge relocation
- Official Climax No. 6 history for builder, lumber-road provenance, Clark acquisition, and rebuilding
- Official locomotive directory for collection scope and motive-power disclaimer
- Official Clark's FAQ for accessibility, service dogs, park policies, and visitor planning
- Licensed White Mountain Central Railroad image search
