Conway Scenic Railroad (CSRX) discussion thread

With inflation, COVID-19 and high diesel prices, it is very tough for any business that doesn't have pricing power. Need near perfect execution to survive and succeed.

MEC407 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 02, 2023 6:58 am ...one must wonder why they keep purchasing more and more equipment if they can't afford to pay competitive wages.

And the equipment their buying... buses??!

And now add a former Amtrak baggage car to the mix; it came west on the tail of SLR 393 last night. Apparently this is for the HEP generator.

Car is 1216:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=3939959

Where is this gem being stored?... So that means there are two cars now that need to be delivered to Conway Scenic?

Any issues pop up on the tracks from all the heavy rain and flooding?

So I wonder what will become of the current Ex CN cars on the notch? Cleary they want the notch train to be all first class. Do they replace the steel bodies valley train cars? The current owner only seems to care about the notch train

My guess is when the new cars come online, the older red cars (Cranmore, the Presidential Range, and the Hurricane mt.) will be stored until fall. It just makes sense to favor the cars with roller bearings whenever possible. The Mt Washington is an exception since its a snack bar and also has the kitchen equipment for Chocorua, so that will probably keep rolling in the valley. The George Small (one of the ex-CN EMU cars) is now a table car with snack bar and so I would imagine that would stay on the notch train.

I think come fall you will see everything that can roll, rolling! Now, whether that means record length notch trains or longer Valley or multiple valley trains...who knows? With the re-alignment of the North Conway yard, the possibilities are exciting.

It's funny you mention that; I was eavesdropping in on a conversation at a recent train show and heard they are going to relocate the parking lot entrance to southern end of the station and restore the track going to the freight house, creating one long continuous siding. The part I couldn't understand clearly (due to the noise level) was the removal of track, I think the middle track that typically holds the notch train is getting pulled, including the crossover that ties onto it. I assume the removal of those two tracks will make room for the new driveway. It also sounds like they are extending the siding south to tie onto the roundhouse track, to eliminate the second switch on the mainline.

I was up in the area of "Quebec Junction" yesterday, which is fairly close to Hazens. The old line still ties into the active line. There is still about 1,000 feet of intact track, with both legs of the Y that ties back to the main. I found it interesting that there has been very recent, extensive, brush clearing of the old line. A hi-rail has clearly been on those rails very recently. At the end of track is a bumper post that has recently been painted. I know the snow sleds use the area in the winter, but I am wondering why all the effort to clear the area? Anybody have some insight? I will post a photo.

Sounds like the cars are on their way today, NHCR 7324 was picked up at North Stratford last night.

They had an employees special with invited guess on board for Mondays Mountaineer extra that went to Fabyan's. 252 and 1751 lead the trip west, 1751 was left at Fabyan's, waiting to go to Hazen's.
There's supposed to be 3 passenger cars and a baggage car, not sure if the baggage is one of the 3. The baggage car is going to become the new power car for the Mountaineer, I guess it will be more efficient to have one powered unit for all the cars vs the smaller generators under certain cars.
And yes big changes coming for N. Conway and Conway, to accommodate longer trains.

It's the Ex Amtrak/RBBX car and 1216, the baggage car. They just left Hazens; waiting for them now at the Hatchery crossing. Will post videos later.

Two shots from today's chase between Hazens and Crawford Station; good to have Carroll PD as a tag along escort/chase rig, since parking and filming well off the RoW is apparently a cause for trespassing on property the operator doesn't own:

https://youtu.be/bp_VKTfIoiI

https://youtu.be/KXNvhOiytCg

The cruiser met me at the 4 way in Twin Mountain, (after the third shot for my group) as I was behind the first chase vehicle; many can agree this wasn't just an officer looking for "trouble".

Can we just appreciate the way that flag was just yeeted at a moving locomotive?

Same guy was apparently behind the Rhonda Lee "breaking-ins" at the roundhouse at HQ.

Here's a shot of the baggage car at Lewiston Jct. on April 28.

NHV 669 wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2023 8:11 am And now add a former Amtrak baggage car to the mix; it came west on the tail of SLR 393 last night. Apparently this is for the HEP generator.

Car is 1216:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=3939959

I thought it would be used as a tool car for 7470