Silver Lake Railroad

The Silver Lake Railroad is a heritage railway located in New Hampshire, USA. The railway's address is 1381 Village Road, Route 113, Silver Lake, New Hampshire, 03875.

History

The Silver Lake Railroad opened on July 7, 2007, operating from the Silver Lake Station. This station was the former Madison stop for the Boston and Maine Railroad from the late 1800s until the line's abandonment in 1972. The station has been restored over the period from 2002-2007, and much of its original features are intact. The original order boards and stationmaster office were undisturbed, as well as the interior of the station (now housing the Silver Lake Post office), which displays its original varnished woodwork.

Equipment

Silver Lake Railroad's rolling and display stock currently at the station:
* 1917 H. K. Porter, Inc 0-4-0 steam engine
* Plymouth 24-ton locomotive
* Vulcan 10-ton locomotive
* 30 inch gauge Plymouth locomotive
* Mid size Plymouth locomotive
* Fairmont A8 Gang Car
* Three Fairmont A6 gang cars (used for power cars)
* Fairmont S2 railcar
* Fairmont railcar converted to small trolley
* Three 24 foot open passenger cars
* Boston and Maine and Union Pacific baggage carts
* a 1941 Sterling Diner

Route

The railroad operates on a sand railbed laid in the 1800s, traveling through the "Chain of Ponds" area of Madison and Silver Lake, New Hampshire. Rides of approximately 40 minutes, aboard 24-foot open-air passenger cars powered by Fairmont A6 railcars, travel through the area of the Chain of Ponds, passing lily ponds, beaver ponds--with beaver huts and dams--and beautiful valley and mountain scenery. Wildlife that can be seen along the way include moose, bear, deer, and birds.

Silver Lake Railroad is open July through Fall, weather permitting.

References

*Tom Eastman, "Silver Lake's Little Railroad That Can", "The Conway Daily Sun", August 24, 2007