Conway Scenic Railroad (CSRX) discussion thread

[b&m 1566]

When I was talking to someone who railfans the Conway Scenic often last year, he said those trucks had a crack in them already. The previous owners let the engine run like that, Dave didn't have a problem with it, it was never a problem until someone said last year that the engine was not safe to run.

When something sounds foolish, chances are it is.
The 7470 goes through regular inspections by the railroad and the FRA and when a defect is found, it is taken out of service till repairs are made, plan and simple. The inspections work, an issue was identified and it was addressed, it was not ignored by this ownership or the previous ownership.

[b&m 1566]

For readers who are looking at this forum, please note that the Conway Scenic Railroad is not in trouble in any way, shape or form. The steam engine is completely safe, the owner would do anything to keep it running for years to come. The precautions that the current ownership put into place (blocking off the yard and platform) are for safety reasons. It's safe to say from hearing recent interviews with the owner of Cabin Fever and the Marketing Manager for Conway Scenic, that both parties enjoy working with each other.

THANK YOU!
The constant negging of the railroad, it's management, and it's partners I've been seeing on this thread has been a real TURN OFF. While I get there is always legitimate criticism of any organization (because, man, NOBODY is PERFECT) there's a point- a LINE, and I fear it's been well and truly crossed. Some of the commentary goes beyond bordering on a vendetta and I, for one, WELCOME some positivity!
While the old rule of "if you can't say something NICE..." doesn't always hold up if and when there's legitimate criticism to air, not everybody wants to hear constant negative commentary. It's DEPRESSING! It brings people DOWN and it does NOTHING to help our community!
One of the aspects of the railfan/enthusiast community is how we SUPPORT each other and our favorite organizations. I encourage that and I've seen some GREAT things happen because of it!
Remember: NOBODY likes a "negative Nancy."
Now... let's talk about TRAINS!

Jonathan and Cosmo, these are the best post I've read in this forum in a long time.
Thank you

[MEC407]

Moderator Note:

This isn't the "Only Good and Happy Things About Conway Scenic" thread, nor is it the "I've Got A Vendetta Against Conway Scenic" thread. It's the Conway Scenic thread. Folks are allowed to post their observations and opinions — good, bad, or neutral. All I've ever asked is: keep it respectful, keep it truthful, and keep the rumors to a minimum.

artworks-cpwgt61X5ANuaPYO-KSXgaA-t500x500.jpg

[ConwayScenic252]

The new dome arrived at North Conway yesterday. What do you think it will be named?

[Who]

WOW! That dome car is beautiful looking on the inside, nicely done!
I am concerned, are they really forcing people who want to sit in the upper dome on the Mountaineer to buy the meal package? I don't know if I like that move, forcing a meal package on people when you have a regular dome car that use to be on the train. I hope they swap the Dorthea Mae and Rhonda Lee and give back the option. It will be shameful if they keep the two dinning dome cars only and I'd expect the Hattie Evans to get bounced, three dining cars seems a bit over kill, especially when you have two sit ins (out and back).
I wonder if they have an eye towards a second Valley train for dining, something similar to the "Essex Clipper Dinner Train, at the Valley Railroad".

[NHV 669]

New dome has already been named "Leslie Ann".

[p42thedowneaster]

I can definitely understand reserving the Mountaineer domes to diners only. They no longer have guests swapping cars for east bound dining sessions and west bound sessions. The railroad owes it to the meal vendor to provide as many tables as they can handle.
The Dorothea Mae dome is now on the valley train full time as an alternative for non-dining guests to experience a dome car. The price point for the Mountaineer domes (or any first class) is way beyond what families can afford anyways, so they might as well make the most of the premium seats...not only do they have meals, but cocktails are also served as well for the entire ride.

[Arborwayfan]

I'm a little puzzled by the decision to make the train through Crawford Notch (the route with the most spectacular scenery) about experiencing a streamliner. I rode it once, years ago, and the consensus of the railfans and non-railfans in the family was that what we wanted was open windows -- for clear photos, to smell the fir trees, to hear the river, etc. I am much less likely to ride again now that they've decided to make it a sealed, air-conditioned experience. (Imagine if the Cog sealed the windows of the cars?) And if more people want to ride the current version than wanted to ride the version with coach cars where the windows opened, then I'm puzzled about people. Why go to Crawford Notch (beautiful and usually pretty cool) and spend five ours inside? Don't people go to NH to do things outside because it's spectacular scenery and not as hot as Boston or NY?

[Safetee]

open windows in areas of varying amounts of track side vegetation are a hassle for crews to monitor and insurance company nightmare.

[p42thedowneaster]

I agree with the desire to have open window cars as well, but I think the streamline equipment is cool too. The B&M/MEC Mountaineer used the Flying Yankee 6000 with sealed windows and later used ice cooled coaches in standard consist runs when they needed greater capacity. Even if you have 1st class seats you can usually sneak back to coach for a breather where the windows still open. It's especially nice if they have silver cascade in tow or even Hurricane Mt. (the old red coach often used during peak season).

[MEC407]

I agree with you, Arborwayfan. I feel like a streamliner experience would make more sense on the Valley Train than the Notch Train.

I can't imagine that the insurance situation is that much of a nightmare, considering how many other tourist railroads in the US operate open-air cars.

[p42thedowneaster]

^^ well that and the coach windows still do open anyways, so what's the difference insurance-wise? I'm guessing Silver Cascade and Black Mtn are sidelined for other issues we are not aware of.

One thing we can all agree though...if steam is running, you're crazy to buy a ticket in a non-openable window car! Give me the cheapest seats in coach and let the dome sit empty!

[CSRR573]

Anytime in take the notch train, I'm always hanging out in the silver cascade to get the full effect. Even better on the return trip! If they do start a separate valley dinner train, where are they going to store it? I feel the yard is maxed out now and I'm afraid of losing some equipment that's been there for ever( silver cascade, Black Mountain, Mt Cranmore?- the valley car thats been oos for ever and the MEC combine)

[NHV 669]

I rode it once, years ago, and the consensus of the railfans and non-railfans in the family was that what we wanted was open windows -- for clear photos, to smell the fir trees, to hear the river, etc. I am much less likely to ride again now that they've decided to make it a sealed, air-conditioned experience.

One recent visitor commented on the new dome acquisition post noting the opposite; their experience was sealed and 90+ degrees the entire ride.

[Who]

Anytime in take the notch train, I'm always hanging out in the silver cascade to get the full effect. Even better on the return trip! If they do start a separate valley dinner train, where are they going to store it? I feel the yard is maxed out now and I'm afraid of losing some equipment that's been there for ever( silver cascade, Black Mountain, Mt Cranmore?- the valley car thats been oos for ever and the MEC combine)

They do have changes coming in N. Conway and Conway, that my help with room. We all know about the storage/ function facility that's going to be built down in Conway, but they also have some plain to reconfigure the track layout in both locations. I doubt it will be anything drastic, but I think the plan is to rehab the main line and siding south of North Rd and then extend the same siding north, and reinstall the switch probably close to where the north switch is for the freight house siding. Doing this will allow for longer trains to fit in Conway for events. Also, that same siding on the west side, will have a new switch installed for the new storage building, I think the plan is to have the siding come up from the south.
In N. Conway, I heard they are supposed to reconnect the dead-end track in front of 501, not sure if they will keep the crossover to the main line or make all trains run to the north end of the yard. I also keep hearing rumblings about the first six cabooses being moved onto a new track closer to the tree line, so they can make use of the track they currently occupy.