The Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad is a class IIIshortline 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.
On June 15, 1987, the Plymouth and Lincoln Railroad was formed with the purpose of operating a theme park and railroad out of Lincoln, New Hampshire.[1] Edward Clark and his wife Brenda Reynolds Clark were the owners. Trains have been operating since then between Lincoln and Woodstock, a distance of 7 miles (11km).
Weirs station, early 20th century
After a few years of operating the railroad in Lincoln under the "Hobo Railroad" name (which would later be renamed "Granite State Scenic Railway"), the railroad was invited to bid on the lease for the state-owned trackage from Tilton to Plymouth. They won the bid, and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad was formed, with trains running from Meredith to Lakeport, with a stop in Weirs Beach.[2]
The railroad now holds the passenger rights on the entire state of New Hampshire-owned track running from Lochmere to Lincoln, a total of 54 miles (87km). This additional mileage allows the operation of many special excursion trains. The state owns another 19 miles (31km) of track from Lochmere to Concord, which is used by the New England Southern Railroad for freight customers.[3]
Edward Clark, founder of the railroad, died in the summer of 1998. Benjamin, his only son, assumed the post of President and promoted the business heavily.[1]
The Patriot Rail Company assumed ownership of the two passenger services and the rail bike operations in August 2023.[4]
The Lincoln Shops
From the mid-1990s, the Lincoln Shops have grown to be a major source of off-season revenue through its refurbishing and repair of numerous pieces of customer railroad equipment. Two Russell snowplows and some subway tampers were rebuilt for the MBTA. The privately owned ex-New Haven RailroadRoger Williams was in for major restoration to like-new condition,[5] along with four or five caboose repaintings. The company's reputation increased the demand for the facility enough to make the business a 12-month operation. In 2005, they brought the three-car set of the Flying Yankee, under restoration, to the Lincoln Shops for completion.[6] In 2021, 2 major locomotive repaints to PLLX 105 and 1590 were done as well as interior on 105.
Current activities
GP9 No. 1921 in August 2012
The railroad has some of the most diverse and scenic fall foliage trains in New England, whether lakeside or on a journey along the Pemigewasset River to the mountains. Since 2003 the railroad has promoted heavily this important season for tourism. It also benefits from its 1+1⁄2-hour travel time from Boston. Bus groups, sometimes eight per day, converge in Meredith in the fall due to the town's location and to the offering of a full roast turkey dinner on the train catered by Hart's Turkey Farm Restaurant, also located in Meredith.
In winter 2005, the "Believe in Books Literacy Foundation" contracted with the railroad to provide a "Polar Express" out of Lincoln, to supplement the growing demand from the North Conway operation run by the Conway Scenic Railroad. The Tom Hanksmovie of the same name was released in the 2004-2005 season, sparking even further interest.
In June 2021, Rail Bike Adventures began offering 2-hour tours out of Laconia Station along the shores of Lake Winnisquam.
