Hello All,

Today dawned hot and clear. I woke up at 0700, and arrived at the North Conway Depot at 0850. Slightly early for a 1100 departure. Just after I arrived, the station came alive with the activity of two train crews going on duty almost simultaneously. Recently rebuilt CSRR 573 was on hand, and when started – it sounded better than I remembered. I have chased the Valley Train before, both to Conway and Bartlett. My objective was the notch train, the 1100 departure up to the Crawford Notch Station. Power for the Notch train was the usual units, ex CN 6516 and 6505. Known to the CSRR folks as 'the twins.' I'm not quite sure what their model designation is – FP9A-4 perhaps?

With two trains assembled, and the open car being removed from the Valley train and placed onto the Notch consist, there was a fair amount of activity in the yard at North Conway. I left the crew to their duties, and checked out the North Conway Model Railroad Club's layout in the old freight station. A nice layout, with helpful club members in attendance, and some interesting electronics in use for reversing circuitry and such. All electronics were constructed, by hand, by a club member.

Back at the Depot, 573 hauled her train South on the Advertised as they say – just after 1030. I grabbed a couple shots down by the golf course crossing.

6505 and 6516 then pulled their consist south, the mainline switch was thrown, and they shoved forward onto the platform. Passengers began to board, and The Twins went to the North end of the train. After they coupled up, just prior to departure, I headed up 302, to await their arrival. Rolling Northbound, crossing route 302, 1135 by my watch. Not too shabby. I rolled North, (west on 302) and lensed them twice between North Conway Depot and Bartlett.

At Bartlett, the Notch train rolled by – and made a very nice photograph.

Next up was a shot near the Fourth Iron bridge, on what I was told was Old Route 302, now a paved walking trail that runs from the current 302 to the tracks, right near Fourth Iron Siding. I would never have found it without the suggestion of a gentleman at the North Conway Model Railroad Club.

Next up was a shot at the driveway of the Notchland Inn. 6505 and train rolled by, passing a Conway Scenic hirail on the way by.

Next shot was on the trail to a falls, I forget the name, but it is part of the Appalachian Trail. I grabbed a quick shot from a scenic overlook near the top of the notch – although it would have been nice to have a telephoto lens, but it was a good opportunity to get a feeling of the size of the train compared to the area around it. Just below the Crawford Notch Depot, the tracks go through a short cut, and the nose of the locomotive happens to be lined up with the mountains in the background at that point. A very good place to lens a northbound.

Then, I ran up to the Crawford Notch Depot itself and grabbed a few shots of the train coming in. Just before 1300 by my watch.

Next up was the required food stop at the Lodge at the top of the Notch, and then back to the tracks. About half of this report was typed while trackside at the Notch, awaiting the 1400 departure of the train back southbound. Right on the nose, 6516 and train rolled southbound, 1400 departure from Crawford Notch Station. I reversed my course, taking shots from almost the same locations. At that Appalachian trail shot, I took the opportunity to introduce a family of four to the idea of railfanning. They seemed to enjoy it.

Back in Notchland, the tracks run under Rt. 302, and for a southbound, standing on the bridge that goes over the tracks provides an inside the curve view from above. A good shot with the proper lighting.

One further shot before Bartlett, at the Fourth Iron bridge, on the bridge this time.

Down at Bartlett, as promised, the Northbound Valley Train took the siding for the Southbound Notch Train, which promptly rolled through after the 573 and train were in the clear. 573 cut off, and I took the opportunity to cross the tracks and pursue the Notch train. I grabbed a good shot at the Glen Depot.

Due to construction at Intervale, I ran up to what turned out to be the Station Name Sign Intervale, and shot the southbound coming through. Last shot of the Notch train was the crossing of Rt. 302 in North Conway. Due to heavy traffic, I didn't get ahead of the train again, and when they arrived at North Conway Depot, I had already shot most of the angles available. I put the camera aside and thanked the crew of the train I had been following, along with several of the other staff members at the CSRR.

After leaving the Depot at North Conway, I headed for Home. Route was almost due east, on Rt. 302. On the way, coming up to a right hand turn just outside of Mechanic Falls – I caught a blip on the SLR yard channel. Knowing they do have a switch job that might be working still, I headed into town. That ended up being the last blip I would catch for a few minutes, as the drive to get home was rather strong by this time, so I headed for Auburn. My stomach got the best of me, as I headed for something to eat, in favor of train hunting. (This may come as a surprise to some, but others know about my ability to find time, and a good place to eat almost anywhere) As I turned into the driveway of the restaurant I'd picked, SLR 393 called clear of the West end of Lewiston Jct yard. If I'd headed directly there, I would have caught them. Oh well, another time perhaps. I ran in and had a quick bite to eat – and then headed for Lewiston Junction. Not expecting to find much, I did come across 515 switching the yard, although they were down past the engine facility, so they were unable to be lensed. I did catch an interesting lineup on the enginehouse storage track, SLR 31 then SLR 803, and LLPX 2032 in the Operation Lifesaver paint scheme. Quite the combination.

Anxious to get home, I jumped on the turnpike, and arrived back here safe and sound. Car unloaded and in the house by 2030.

According to the odometer – I put 1246 miles on the car, which ran flawlessly. All in all, I had no technical issues with any equipment on my journey, excepting that a set of my rechargeable batteries appears to be losing its punch. Then again, I took 637 photos over five days!

Although I mentioned it in each day, I would like to extend my thanks to all the crews, and employees of the railroads I've railfanned in this trip of mine, and a personal thank you to everyone who provided me with information on where to go and what to see. The list is too long to repeat! Thank you all!

Until I head trackside again, the Roving Railfan is home!