New Hampshire's Dinner Train Rides In N. Conway

Published: February 15, 2026

Tucked into the heart of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Valley, the Conway Scenic Railroad is one of New England’s most beloved heritage railways—part living museum, part front-porch seat to some of the Northeast’s best mountain scenery. From an 1874-era depot in North Conway Village, the railroad runs a mix of short heritage excursions and longer mountain runs through Crawford Notch, combining classic equipment, big scenery, and a calendar that’s packed with themed trips and seasonal favorites.

Conway Scenic Railroad's 0-6-0 #47, formerly Canadian National/Grand Trunk Railway #7470 completed in 1921, is on the turntable in North Conway. Ron Johnson photo.

Roots in the railroads that built the Valley

Conway Scenic’s story begins long before “heritage railroad” became a common phrase. The tracks it operates over were originally built in the 19th century as part of two important routes: the Conway Branch (historically associated with the Boston & Maine system) and the Mountain Division route through Crawford Notch (historically associated with the Maine Central). Together they connected mill towns, resort communities, and mountain hamlets, tying the White Mountains into the wider New England rail network.

By the mid-20th century, passenger service had faded and many branchlines faced abandonment. In the Mount Washington Valley, however, the railroad infrastructure—especially the North Conway depot complex—remained a powerful reminder of the region’s railroading heyday. The station and yard area have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and stepping inside still feels like walking into a time capsule of Victorian-era rail travel.

A 1974 Rebirth

The modern Conway Scenic Railroad began operations in 1974, the product of persistence and a railroader’s belief that the Valley still needed trains—if not as common-carrier transportation, then as an experience worth saving. The railroad is widely credited to the efforts of Dwight Smith, who helped launch the operation after negotiations to preserve and operate a portion of the line that otherwise faced abandonment.

From the start, Conway Scenic wasn’t just about running any train—it was about recreating the feel of traditional railroading: historic stations, vintage coaches, and the kind of relaxed, scenic travel that once defined summer trips “to the mountains.” Over time, the operation expanded and evolved, eventually adding longer-distance runs through Crawford Notch and building a strong identity as both a tourist attraction and a preservation operation.

The Railroad Today

Modern Conway Scenic generally offers two “families” of rides: shorter heritage excursions and longer Notch/Mountain Division trips. The railroad’s own materials describe this split clearly—guests can choose between heritage train rides in the valley and scenic excursions through Crawford Notch.

1) Heritage Valley Excursions

The “everybody can do it” option is the set of heritage excursions that recreate the feeling of riding between nearby towns in the Mount Washington Valley. These trips typically depart from North Conway’s historic station and offer a leisurely ride in vintage equipment—perfect for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants the atmosphere of old rail travel without committing most of the day. Conway Scenic describes these as Heritage Rail Excursions that let you experience the “Golden Age” vibe with a variety of classic cars.

These shorter runs also provide the setting for many of the railroad’s themed experiences, including seasonal and special-event trains.

2) Notch/Mountaineer-style excursions

If you want the “signature” White Mountains rail experience, it’s the longer trips that climb into Crawford Notch—a dramatic mountain pass known for steep slopes, rock cuts, and sweeping views. Conway Scenic markets these as its marquee scenic runs through the Notch, and it also offers seasonal variants like the Winter Mountaineer, described as a wintertime journey through Crawford Notch that aims to deliver big views in a classic mid-20th-century streamlined train atmosphere.

Another seasonal favorite is the Snow Train, a shorter winter excursion designed to evoke mid-century small-town rail travel in a frosty landscape.

Notable Excursions

One reason Conway Scenic stays on so many railfans’ and vacationers’ shortlists is that it keeps the calendar lively. Alongside the “core” rides, the railroad regularly promotes special experiences such as Murder on the Rails, a theatrical, clue-filled adventure where the train becomes part show, part whodunit.

And for pure “railfan flavor,” Conway Scenic leans into the appeal of its historic setting and equipment: departing from an 1874 station and traveling behind vintage power in classic cars is part of the draw all by itself. Steam and diesel: the “power” behind the experience

Conway Scenic’s roster has included a variety of locomotives over the years, but one star that frequently captures attention is steam locomotive No. 7470, a classic 0-6-0 type engine with deep roots in Canadian National heritage. The railroad’s own page on No. 7470 notes its origins (built for Grand Trunk, later CN), and explains how it came to Conway Scenic in the early years and was later renumbered back to 7470.

Even when you’re not on a steam-powered run, the railroad often delivers a vintage “mainline” look via classic diesel-hauled consists—especially on longer Notch trips where dependable power and tight schedules matter.

Dinner Train Options

For your article’s food-and-dining highlight, Conway Scenic has a nice angle: rather than a single “dinner train” brand name that runs every weekend year-round, they feature elegant dining cars and First Class dining service as part of selected excursions and seasons.

A particularly useful “official” detail is that New Hampshire’s tourism site explicitly notes that elegant First Class dining cars are an option (seasonally). What to emphasize (and how to describe it accurately)A visitor-friendly way to frame it in your post

First Class dining cars: Conway Scenic references partnerships and dining service connected to specific cars and experiences; their Notch Train narration highlights mention partnering with Attitash and call out dining cars by name (notably Hattie Evans on the Notch Train and Chocorua on the Valley train), with food prepared to order onboard and served by wait staff.
Dinner on selected dates / special evenings: Reviews and third-party summaries commonly describe dining service as an add-on to certain departures (including evenings), which fits well in an article as “select dates” or “seasonal dining options,” rather than claiming nightly dinner service.

You can present the dining as a “choose your experience” upgrade:

Daytime ride + lunch/First Class service: Great for couples and families who want a scenic ride with a meal component.
Evening dining departures (select nights): Market it as a “date-night on the rails” vibe—white tablecloth energy, classic dining car ambiance, and mountain-valley scenery sliding by outside the windows.
Seasonal pairing: Tie the dining option to the peak scenic seasons (summer into fall foliage), then mention that winter has its own specialty trains (Snow Train/Winter Mountaineer), with offerings varying by date and train type.

Final Thoughts

Conway Scenic works because it hits multiple audiences at once. For families, it’s an easy, low-stress way to “do something memorable” in North Conway. For photographers, it’s a moving overlook of rivers, valley farms, and Notch wilderness. For railfans and history buffs, it’s the rare chance to ride historic routes from a station complex that still looks and feels like a classic New England railroad terminal.

And for couples (or anyone who believes scenery tastes better with a meal), the railroad’s First Class dining options add that extra touch—turning an already charming excursion into an event you plan your day around. To learn more about the Conway Scenic and their many excursion options please click here.