The Conway Scenic Railroad announced this week it will be running regular excursion trains through Crawford Notch to the Crawford Notch Station this winter.

On Facebook, the North Conway-based heritage railroad posted, “Starting Nov. 30, 2024, visit Conway Scenic for a bold winter adventure on our new Winter at Crawford excursion.” It added: “For the first time in more than 60 years, you can travel by train over New Hampshire’s supremely scenic Crawford Notch during snow season.”

Conway Scenic Marketing and Events Manager Brian Solomon said the winter run is a seasonal variation of the Mountaineer run “that offers stunning views of the White Mountains from the comfort of a classic mid-20th century streamlined train.”

“Winter at Crawford” will board at the 1874-built North Conway station at 10:30 a.m. on select dates between Nov. 30 and Dec 30.

According to Conway Scenic’s website, the run has a duration of four hours and covers 50-60 mile round-trip. Lunch is offered on board the train for an additional charge.

“We will run Saturdays after Thanksgiving up to Christmas, and every day Dec. 26-30 and then after Jan. 4 to the Frankenstein Trestle weekends at 10:30 a.m.,” said Solomon. He said the schedule for vacation periods will be announced on the railroad’s website, conwayscenic.com.

The CSRR leases the Mountain Division Line from the state of New Hampshire. Under the previous ownership of Russ and Dot Seybold, it first leased the tracks that run through Crawford Notch from the state in 1994 with its first run on Sept. 1, 1995.Seybold, it first leased the tracks that run through Crawford Notch from the state in 1994 with its first run on Sept. 1, 1995.

Conway Scenic President David Swirk said they also are going to run a Snow Train from North Conway to Conway through March “three to five trains a day” through February.

Solomon said the exact times are still being worked out.

For the past few years, the Snow Train ran from North Conway to Attitash Mountain Village but Solomon said they will not be going directly to Attitash this year unless some party hires the train for a special outing. The train to Crawford and Frankenstein does pass Attitash Mountain Village on its way west. The last regular run through Crawford Notch was a freight train in 1983 by the old Maine Central.Attitash this year unless some party hires the train for a special outing. The train to Crawford and Frankenstein does pass Attitash Mountain Village on its way west. The last regular run through Crawford Notch was a freight train in 1983 by the old Maine Central.

Asked about the significance of the CSRR and its new planned runs through Crawford Notch, Solomon said, “It’s one of the biggest things we have ever done. The views will be spectacular.”

Solomon said it will enable the railroad to perform track maintenance in winter in ways it couldn’t do before.

“Last year, there were washouts of the track (in winter, with the December flooding) and we were not able to do repairs at that time,” he said.

Asked about the growth of demand for the tourist railroad, Solomon said the economy has picked up. “Historically, there was not demand for winter use, and we would shut down, but those days are gone in Mount Washington Valley. We just had our strongest first weekend in November,” said Solomon.

Swirk said the extended operating schedule will enable it to offer steady work for year-round employees. “Especially for young people with families to support, that’s important,” said Swirk.

Conway Scenic also is running Santa’s Holiday Express from Nov. 29-Dec. 23, a train that runs from North Conway to Conway and back.

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