Page Updated: January 31, 2024
Conway Scenic Railroad
Conway Snow Train - North Conway NH
Conway Scenic Railroad offers scenic train rides through the Mount Washington Valley in every season. Experiences include historic rail routes in vintage passenger cars that pass through the valley’s rugged landscape.
We’re always down for a train ride. This one fell into the category of “learning experiences,” but it was still a decent adventure. We booked tickers for the Conway Snow Train and made sure to get seats in one of the highly-sought-after dining dome cars.
The set up was a surprise - and not a fantastic one.
One thing we didn’t about when we paid a premium price is cleanliness. The idea is great in theory, and if the windows had been clean the eperience might have been a little better. As it was, the dome windows were dingy which tainted the views. Plus the car was full and noisy.
There are 3 dome cars on the Conway Scenic Railroad. The newly acquired Leslie Ann, the Dorthea Mae, and the Rhonda Lee. Our experience was on the latter. In addition to grungy windows, we can say there were no table clothes, pretty flowers, or fancy place settings pictured on any relevant website. For us, the Rhonda Lee had the esthetic of a sterile 1950s cafeteria.
At some point on the journey, Lee returned from the dining car with hot coffee. He mentioned almost every car between us and the dining car was empty and looks more comfortable. We gladly switched cars.
Switching cars turned this experience from mediocre to a decent one.
But the adventure as a whole was a lesson in keeping our expectations in check.
We would take the Conway Scenic Railroad again on an autumn trip, because New Hampshire has some of the prettiest fall foliage in the nation. But we wouldn’t pay premium for dome car seating. It’s just not worth it.
-b&b
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