Snowmobilers Beware

[RUGMAN]

On the train tracks behind "Off The Rails" in the Weirs, the train co has parked a medium sized piece of equipment on the tracks,only ything I can think is that is does not want anymore snow mobiles using their tracks. kind of a "s tty thing to do.

[John Mercier]

That is because the train tracks - specifically the Concord to Lincoln - does not open as a multi-use trail until the middle of January.
Before that it is trespassing on the RR ROW even to walk within the buffer.

[SAB1]

Whose riding on 8 inches of fluff anyway

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

That is because the train tracks - specifically the Concord to Lincoln - does not open as a multi-use trail until the middle of January.
Before that it is trespassing on the RR ROW even to walk within the buffer.

The distance between the two steel rails is about 56.5-inches and they usually are up above the snow, all winter, but not always. So as a MULTI-USE trail that allows snowmobiles after the middle of January, what else is allowed? Is snowshoeing, xc skiing, walking, or riding a bicycle with 4" fat tires allowed within the 56.5" between the two steel rails at the same time as snowmobiles?

The distance between the two snowmobile skis or snow stance is about 42".

What is the allowed winter multi-use between the two steel rails?

[John Mercier]

The multi-use trails have red signs with symbols for everything that is allowed.

So in something like Bear Brook, it would be all that you have listed with special section that states "winter use only" and shows motorized users.

The Concord to Lincoln doesn't have summer use because it is a leased active line, so it has a red sign that list everything but has specific dates that the "trail" is open.

I believe that it still is January 15th to March 15th on the signage, but DOT/BOT have changed those dates occasionally in the past.

Also cannot go all the way to Concord anymore as the "trail" now ends at the Belmont/Tilton town line.

[fatlazyless]

All aboard ....... take the train ....... here it comes ..... there it goes ........ Meredith ....... Weirs Beach ........ Laconia ..........here's a 14:39 Granite State Railroad train ride from May 12, 2024, opening weekend ..... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze6Pa_tgyLs ..... chugga-chugga-chugga ..... clickedly-clack ....... the train goes down the track!.

A ticket costs something like 35 or 40 dollars for adults, age 13+ to get onboard. Makes you wish it were already springtime and this train was running again ...... soooooo good to go!

So, where's all the people? Is there any people passengers onboard this here train or is it a ghost train? It is what it is?

From 1880 to 1960 this stretch of track was always busy and was the #1 transportation link between New Hampshire and Boston. Now, everything and everyone moves by car, bus, truck or motorcycle ...... all with rubber tires that roll down that asphalt road.

[John Mercier]

There was a time that the region would move a lot of agricultural and manufactured goods using the rails.

[tis]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

There was a time that the region would move a lot of agricultural and manufactured goods using the rails.

People too. It always fascinated me to hear how people depended on rail and boats to get to their destination on the lake.

[longislander]

Can remember this, when going to work in Concord, before retirement ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_bm1zIUO38

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by tis

People too. It always fascinated me to hear how people depended on rail and boats to get to their destination on the lake.

We still do move people using the rails; but cargo is only Tilton and south. Which is why that part of the rail line is not open in the winter months.

Cargo tends to be a year round lease, while tourism is seasonal.