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  • Conway Scenic RR

    Railfans Weekend 2008
    I found nyself back home in North Conway NH the weekend of 20-21 Sep 2008 to attend the 50th Reunion of the first, last and only 8th Grade to graduate from the John Fuller School. Serendipitously, I learned after we arrived in town that it was the Annual Railfans Weekend on the Conway Scenic RR.

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    There were a number of Extras run over the weekend. On Saturday morning I spotted this mixed train headed by #1055 heading north at Intervale Cross Road.

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    When I was growing up here in the 50's, the freighthouse and station building were on the other side of the train, while just to the right was a summer encampment of some Abenaki Indians.

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    Heading toward the Rt 16 crossing at the Intervale Scenic Vista.

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    A little later that morning found the Crawford Notch train at the Scenic Vista crossing, powered by 6505-6516.

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    Now we're talking. Here comes ex-CN 0-6-0 #7470, approaching the Intervale station site.

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    At Intervale.

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    While I was over at the station site, Liz got this shot of #7470 passing the Intervale Scenic Vista.

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    Sunday morning as we were heading out of town, we stopped at the North Conway depot, where 6516-6505 were about to rumble to life for a busy day.

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    Ex-MEC #15 and NHC #360.

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    Since my last visit in 2006, MEC #501's tender has been repainted and looks pretty sharp.

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    As for #501 herself, it's hard to say how much mechanical progress has been made, but cosmetically, she looks more or less as she did in 2006 when I last stopped by.

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    CSRR #2820 (Ex-QBT #23) has received a nice-looking paint job.

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    Ah, about ready for some action. #7470 has been steaming up inside the roundhouse, the doors were just opened...

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    ...and here she comes.

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    Pulling out onto the turntable.

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    Does this bring back memories or what ??

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    Being turned in preparation for the day's activities.

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    Lots of work involved keeping her in tip-top condition.

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    Here she is backing down past the fire station and country club.

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    A little show for the fans as she pulls back up toward the yard and her waiting train.

    A comment on rail photography etiquette - we were all lined up so every one could get a clean shot of the locomotive, but just as she started back toward us, this fellow jumped out in front of everyone. There were more than a few groans of disappointment.