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White Mountains Trackcar Meet 2007

Written by Ian MacMillan

Friday, 08 June 2007

NEGS 103 waits in NH's White Mountains

Every Summer a group of 50 to 60 owners of former railroad trackcars gather in a spot in the White Mountains called The Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH. The railroad is the host for three exciting days with numerous activities but the best one is the ride from Lincoln to Weirs Beach on the Saturday. Then next on Sunday from Tilton, NH to Weirs Beach and return. All together the happy railcar owners are treated to 108 miles of running their own personal trackcar. Trackcars are inspected before the first trip, a safety meeting is attended, the proper rules are given out each year and participants turn in their operating agreements so that they can operate safely on this State of New Hampshire owned track that starts in the White Mountains and ends 12 miles short of the State Capital at Concord, NH.

Sounds like fun doesn't it? Hell yeah it was! This year was my first large and long distance track car meet and I had a blast. While the weather had origionally called for rain for the entire weekend, we were given sun on Saturday and the rain held off on Sunday until after the run.

Jon stands in front of his car, TC42

Friday morning I awoke to thunder storms, and I still needed to finish some things! Picking up some parts to make a brake lights on the speeder, the sun finally came out and started drying up the area. Arriving in Lincoln vI met up with Jon Miner and some other track car ownes at the Hobo Railroad and we set on. Jon set on first and myself second. Being the lead pack was pretty exciting, expecially since this was my first time on this run. After setting on I found that the brake light switch had broken on the ride up, and I needed a fix. I ran to the hardware store to get parts for what I was thinking was a quick fix, but ended up actually being a pretty good install for Woodings railcars. (An article is in the "Restoration and Repairs" section of the site)

After the safety meeting Saturday morning we set off on the first leg of our trip, Lincoln to Weirs Beach in Laconia. Some tamping of the track by the Hobo a few days earlier lead to some muddy brakes the first few miles, but soon we were on smooth clean rail though the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The former B&M logging branch provided plenty of river crossings, grades, and tight twists though the forest. The line was very scenic, and in several areas the line pararells roadways so you can get some good views. There were also several railfans along the route taking photos as we passed. Making pretty good time at 15MPH we passed though Ashland and worked our way though to the Lakes Region. The lakes provided a great background and provided several scenery ideas for my new layout.

Ashland Curve, at the I93 ramps

Pulling into Weirs Beach all the cars lined up along the boardwalk and we stopped for lunch for about an hour and a half. Durring that time we also were able to see the Lakeside trains from Hobo depart and arrive at the boardwalk station. After lunch we departed for home, meeting a few showers here and there. On the way back one of the Hi-Rails derailed at the entrance to Plymouth yard, putting its rear gear on the ground. Several trackcar owners were able to get it back on the rails and we were once again on the way. Being the first down, also ment that I was at the end on the way back. I paced myself and enjoyed the scenery as I let the other cars put a few miles between them and me. The lone riding was nice, but at one point I looked back and Jon and Paul were no where to be seen behind me, where they were normally about a mile back. I stopped after a grade crossing (the first photo in this article) and waited.....and waited...and waited, for about a half hour before they appeared around the bend. Paul Yorkis's Hi-Rail had derailed and they had noticed that he was no longer behind them so they went back to help out. Finally back together again, the 3 of us tromped back to Lincoln, the last ones back. The exaustion and feeling of a good tan as I arrived back in Lincoln signaled a great trip.

Set off at Rt. 140 in Tilton

On Sunday I loaded up the trailer and headed south from Lincoln to Tilton where we set on at the Tilt N' Diner. While a shorter run, 40 miles round trip from Tilton to Weirs Beach, this part of the White Mountain branch hugs the states major lakes with broad sweeping curves, evidence of the lines history of 60MPH+ B&M passenger trains. The lack of sun, and the wind off of the lakes created some chilly running, but all was good. We once again arrived at Weirs Beach to have lunch, departing when the southbound train from Meredith was a few minitues out. Arriving back in Tilton, I loaded up to head home, already waiting for next years 20th anniversary run!

For more photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/WoodingsCBI/2007HoboRailroadTrackcarWeekend

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