Suncook Valley Railroad

Infobox SG rail
railroad_name=Suncook Valley Railroad

old_gauge=
marks=SV
locale=New Hampshire
start_year=1869
end_year=1952

hq_city=Pittsfield, NH

The Suncook Valley Railroad was a short-line railroad originating in Suncook, New Hampshire, and terminating in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. It was operated as its own business entity since September 28, 1924, when control was regained from the Boston and Maine Railroad. Starting in 1869, the Suncook Valley RR was leased by the Concord Railroad, and subsequently Concord & Montreal Railroad, then finally the B&M. It served the Suncook River valley region in central New Hampshire, stopping in key communities such as Epsom, Allenstown and Center Barnstead.

History

The route of the fabled Blueberry Express was first suggested in January, 1849, when a charter was granted by the State of New Hampshire to John Berry to build a railroad from east of Concord into the Suncook Valley to Pittsfield. A second charter was granted in July of that same year for a second investment group to extend the rails from Pittsfield to connect with the Dover and Winnipesaukee Railroad at an undetermined point near Alton Bay, NH. The charters lapsed into expiration due to disputes over an easement and a lack of financial backing. The looming Civil War also halted plans for the railroad.

In 1863, a second pair of charters were granted by the New Hampshire courts for the construction of the Suncook Valley road, and what became known as the Suncook Valley Extension Railroad-the line to be constructed from Pittsfield to Alton. Ground was broken April 26, 1869, with the first Suncook-Pittsfield round trip taking place on December 6 of that year. In 1889 the extension was completed to Center Barnstead, but the connection to Alton never materialized.