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Crawford Notch New Hampshire on the Maine Central RR
Crawford Notch is one of the many highlights in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The narrow passage between mountains carries US Route 302 as well as the Maine Central's Mountain Subdivision trackage.
To the west of the Notch, the land flattens out at 1900 feet above sea level. The unique Crawford Notch depot flanks a small 3 track yard that helped handle pusher locomotives as well as allow a place to drop a few cars or pass a small local. Occasionally these tracks would be used when a train needed to double the hill up to the Notch.
To the east of the Notch, the Main Central track hugs the mountainside as it descends almost 1300 feet in just a few miles to reach Bartlett New Hampshire. In Bartlett a full locomotive serving facility with roundhouse used to exist to help handle pusher locomotives and small locals.
To the west of the Notch, the land flattens out at 1900 feet above sea level. The unique Crawford Notch depot flanks a small 3 track yard that helped handle pusher locomotives as well as allow a place to drop a few cars or pass a small local. Occasionally these tracks would be used when a train needed to double the hill up to the Notch.
To the east of the Notch, the Main Central track hugs the mountainside as it descends almost 1300 feet in just a few miles to reach Bartlett New Hampshire. In Bartlett a full locomotive serving facility with roundhouse used to exist to help handle pusher locomotives and small locals.
Today the MEC track is operated by the Conway Scenic RR, and the depot is owned and operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The area is very busy and popular with tourists and hikers.
A postcard I picked up as a souvenir in the 1970s shows a dramatic view of RY-2 cresting the grade at Crawford Notch powered by GP38's.
A recent view if Crawford Notch shows the restored depot and the 3 tracks still in place. The main and siding are used regularly by the Conway Scenic, but the third track has gotten a little overgrown!
On my layout, the Crawford Notch scene is the first things visitors see when entering through the doorway into the room. To the left when viewing, the tracks move through the Notch and disappear into staging. At center is the 3 tracks of the yard and a lot of trees. Anchoring the scene to the right is the depot depicted as it appeared in 1980 just prior to the sale to the AMC hiking club, green paint and some boarded up windows.
Below are some pictures from the layout. Most scenery is now basically done, although I still find the need for a few more details, figures, vehicles from time to time.
Below are some pictures from the layout. Most scenery is now basically done, although I still find the need for a few more details, figures, vehicles from time to time.
