Railfan's Special to Whitefield, Conway Scenic Railroad Railfan's Weekend, 9-2-18

Conway Scenic's Railfan's Weekend is an incredible mix of railroading, Saturday included Freight Extras, a photo shoot, and various railroadiana, Sunday had one main event, the Whitefield Junction Excursion, also called the Red Ball Special in the previous year of it's operation. Conway Scenic Railroad made some variations to this years running, most notably the power swap of #216 to #4266, as well the double header from North Conway to Fabyan Station, at that point, the train reconfigured itself to the more familiar locomotive at each end from last year (there is no switch to run around at Whitefield, and the photo opportunity basically demanded a locomotive to be at the tail end of the consist). The Whitefield Excursion brought passengers and railfans out to Whitefield Junction, where the original last ball signal still in it's original location resides. Years of abandonment has taken it's visible toll on the Junction, while the line remained open to various carriers following it's abandonment by Guilford Transportation (currently Pan Am Railways) in 1983. When Guilford took over the Maine Central and Boston and Maine, the majority of the Mountain Division (the vast majority of the western section of the route) was abandoned as its lack of local customers meant that Whitefield was only useful as an interchange with other railroads besides the Boston and Maine, GTI determined it easier to provide an interchange with the Canadian Pacific in Mattawamkeag, Maine, skipping over the rigorous grades of Crawford Notch. Currently the trackage over the Whitefield Diamond is operated by the shortline New Hampshire Central, as well as occasional use by Conway Scenic, the ball signal has been restored, with the only mainline of the two in use being the old Boston and Maine Berlin Branch. The Maine Central Mountain Sub Division leading to St. Johnsbury, Vermont has been abandoned, with the condition of the line varying from remarkable condition to paved over at crossings and partially removed. Hope you enjoy!