History of the North Stratford Railroad Company

In 1977, the Maine Central ceased operations of its Beecher Falls branch, from North Stratford, NH to the end of the line in Beecher Falls, VT. The State of New Hampshire purchased the rail line for $310,000 and the North Stratford Railroad Company was created by a former owner of the White Mountain Central tourist RR to operate the line.

The Maine Central’s Beecher Fall’s branch was an extension off of the Mountain Division. The branch diverted north at Quebec Junction and went north in NH and Vermont to get to North Stratford. From there, Maine Central trackage crossed the Grand Trunk and continued north to Beecher Falls. At one time the line extended as far as Lime Ridge, Quebec, but this was taken out of service in 1925. In 1949, the parallel line between North Stratford and Lancaster was abandoned in favor of trackage rights over the GT and B&M. Throughout the 1970s, the MEC wanted to divest itself of this unprofitable rail line. A washout in 1973 didn’t help matters, and the line did shut down for 17 months. The ICC finally let the MEC cease operations in 1977, when the state of NH and the NSRC took over.

The North Stratford Railroad's main customer was the Ethan Allen Furniture factory in Beecher Falls. Boxcars of furniture were brought down the line and interchanged with the Grand Trunk. Occasionally, boxcars of furniture sub-assemblies also traveled back to the Beecher Falls plant. An on-line Agway store also received feed in bulk and bagged. Unfortunately, this traffic was diverted to trucks in 1984.

Somewhere on my layout I want to feature an interchange with the North Stratford Railroad. This neat shortline operated former MEC trackage at the top of New Hampshire and into Vermont at the Canadian border. I will have to use some modelers license, but I could depict an interchange off of the MEC line north of Whitefield. In reality, the interchange is off of the Grand Trunk (later St. Lawrence & Atlantic), but I am not modeling that line.

Last Update: July 20, 2010

North Stratford Railroad Company

NSRC Operations 1980

Operations usually occured 2 days a week. On Wednesday, all of the loaded boxcars were pulled out of the plant and empties were spotted in the enclosed loading track. The boxcars were then taken to the small yard in Beecher Falls. On Thursday, the train departed Beecher Falls for North Stratford and the interchange with the GT. Loaded cars were spotted and the empties were pulled onto the train. After lunch, the train returned to Beecher Falls.

Usually the 44 tonner was used because of its greater fuel economy. The Alco was used whenever heavier tonnage dictated.

It is interesting to note that the State of New Hampshire owned the rail line and helped subsidize the railroad, but the main customer and the engine facilities were both located in neighboring Vermont.

NSRC Rail Line Today

The NSRC operated the 25 mile rail line from 1977 until 1989 when the Ethan Allen plant shut down. Since 1993, the New Hampshire Central has leased a portion of the line from North Stratford to Columbia. A new sand and gravel operation, a new fuel facility and a new NHC-operated railcar repair facility generate most of the traffic now.

The New Hampshire Central started operations using the same NSRC GE 44 tonner, repainting it into a yellow and black scheme and renumbering it 360. Later, a chop nose GP16 (ex-SAL GP9) was added to the roster and painted red with a white stripe, numbered 1732. Interchange still occurs in North Stratford, now with the GT’s successor, the St. Lawrence & Atlantic. The S1 959 is still in service, now on the Hobo Railroad

The North Stratford On My Layout

Making full use of my modeler's license (that is why you renew it each year!), I plan to include an interchange between either the MEC or the B&M and the NSRC. In addition to the furniture traffic, I like the idea of modeling a freight car repair facility. This opens up all kinds of freight car traffic.

Years ago, my friend and I built two 4 foot HO modules depicting North Stratford. I plan to follow the same basic idea for the interchange area in North Stratford. The NSRC main will then be a short run to the freight car repair facility and perhaps a fuel facility, then either go to staging or perhaps some hidden track emerging at the Ethan Allen plant in Beecher Falls. We'll see as that is a future section of the layout that is as yet undesigned.

HO locomotive models of a 44 tonner and an S1 are available of course, but will need custom painting. Undecorated models can be painted a shade of green which has a metalic sheen to it. I haven't determined an exact match yet. The light green stripe can probably be cut out from Microscale Trim Film. Handrails and ends can be painted yellow. I have in my decal collection a set of NSRC logos depicting the state of NH. These can be applied to the cab sides, with black paint under the Old Man logo. The numbers appear to be yellow Railroad Roman. The real challenge will be the lettering, the arched North Stratford RR and the names.

Much to my surprise, I did find a decal set to letter S1 #959. Highball Graphics offers a set GDH-1. I received a set and it appears fairly accurate, but is missing a few elements.

The many 40' rebuilt boxcars can be modeled with custom painting and also a commercial model. These cars came in all varieties, some with roofwalks, some with shortened ladders, some with different door styles. These were painted dark green (not the same as the locomotives). Decals were available from Herald King years ago, set B-1610. I have a few sets. Highball Graphics also has a set now, F-116. These are also available in O and G scale.

Trackage on this line would reflect a shortline railroad. Code 70 and code 55 rail, more weeds and less ballast would help convey a smaller railroad.

For operations, a crew could be called to bring the train from Beecher Falls (staging) to the interchange in North Stratford. Loads and empties for Beecher Falls can be swapped and the train could return. If I model the repair facility, cars to and from there would also be a part of the trains duties. And, if space permits the train can switch the fuel dealer and the Agway center. Should there not be enough operators, the NSRC job could be postponed until the next session with interchange traffic filling the tracks at North Stratford. Should be a neat little feature to include on the layout!

Web page written and maintained by Mike McNamara

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