Speaking of the railroad, you may have noticed that the name on the scenic train that plies the rails between Meredith and Laconia along Lake Winnipesaukee has changed names – it is now the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad (it was the Hobo Railroad). The Granite State Railway in Lincoln and the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad in Meredith and Weirs Beach share 54 miles of historic railroad track between Tilton and Lincoln that dates back to 1848 – a period in time when President Zachary Taylor resided in the White House, trains were pulled by steam locomotives and steam-powered automobiles were becoming all the rage.
During the mid-1800’s, this track was owned by the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad. At the time, it served as one of the primary routes north through New Hampshire for tourists making their way from cities like Boston, Hartford and New York to the pristine lakes and mountains of northern New Hampshire as well as to points further north including the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Montreal, Canada.
In the early 1900’s the rights to the rail line were sold to the Boston & Maine Railroad who kept the line active between the Lakes Region and Lincoln in support of the paper mills and other businesses that depended on passenger and freight service. Passenger service faded as automobiles and highways became more popular in the 1950’s. Once the last of the paper mills closed for good in the mid 1970’s, freight service came to an end as well. The rail line was then purchased by the State of New Hampshire and eventually offered for lease.
After reaching an agreement with the State of New Hampshire, the Clarks created the Hobo Railroad – a tourist railroad – which they opened in Lincoln in June 1987. The Clarks continued to operate and grow the railroad operation successfully until 2024, when Hobo Railroad joined the Patriot Rail Scenic Excursion family and was renamed Granite State Railway. The section along the lake, The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, has a main station in Meredith and a ticket booth in Weirs Beach. This train has become one of the most popular attractions in the Lakes Region.
Excerpted from the Granite State Railway website