Conway Scenic Railroad operated its first public excursions on August 4, 1974. Since that time the railroad has grown to become one of the leading attractions in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and one of America’s leading tourist railroads. In 2025, Conway Scenic will celebrated 150 years of railroading over New Hampshire’s Crawford Notch on the famed Mountain Division. This will include an expanded schedule with more days of operation and Winter at Crawford specials in the 2024-2025 winter season.

Conway Scenic began excursion operations on a six-miles section the of the former Boston & Maine Railroad Conway branch between the iconic North Conway Station and the village of Conway, New Hampshire. Today this classic heritage journey is operated as the Valley train and remains popular with families with small children and day visitors. In the 1990s, Conway Scenic greatly expanded it operations by restoring the portion of the state-owned former Maine Central Mountain Division over Crawford Notch. The railroad has developed this route as its signature journey called the Mountaineer after the historic passenger train that used the route in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, this one of the region’s premier scenic railroad excursions and runs from May through November attracting riders from around the world. Winter at Crawford excursions were added to the Mountain Division in November 2024.

In 2023, Conway Scenic expanded into the cruise ship shore excursion business. This led to the railroad to acquire Portland, Maine-based motor coach company VIP Tour and Charter Bus Company to cement the relationship between the two companies. The railroad envisions this union as a dynamic synergy for regional tourism. It ensures that Conway Scenic has ample motor coaches to shuttle cruise passengers between the Portland waterfront and the railroad, while opening up myriad opportunities for expanding the tour business of both companies. In 2024, the railroad expanded its fleet of classic passenger cars to establish a dedicated train experience called the White Mountain Explorer that is tailored for cruise ship passengers. Further, Conway Scenic aims to develop its shoulder season by making the railroad more attractive to tour operators during May, June, July and late autumn, when there is ample hotel capacity in the White Mountain Region. To facilitate growth both the railroad and VIP are hiring staff in all departments. For details on group tours contact Jack Duffin at: jack@conwayscenic.com/603-986-7327