If you really, really like trains, you'll probably like the Hobo Railroad (Rte. 112, Lincoln - in other words, no connection at all to Clark's, but, hey, we went there as well). Otherwise, it'll remind you of a trip on the Fitchburg Line -- only with fewer scenic vistas. You spend an hour and 20 minutes on a train that slowly goes up and down a line through the woods. For the most part, your view is of the thick foliage lining the tracks - although you do get occasional glimpses of the Pemigewasset River, a golf course, a sewage-treatment plant and a sand pit (the highlight of which is the algae-filled sand pond).
Next stop: Excitement!
"$9 for green!" a woman in our car exclaimed. Her daughters were equally thrilled by the ride (this one had to be nudged awake when the ride ended):
At the half-way mark on the trip, the train stops briefly, letting you safely stick your head out the window without fear it'll be ripped off by a passing branch:
Note: You can get much better mountain views for free just by pulling into any parking lot along Rte. 112. Cascade Park on Rte. 3 in North Woodstock has nice (and free) views of the Pemigewasset - and you can even jump in to cool off.
Special bonus note: If you're a long-time rider of the Fitchburg Line, some of the cars will look familiar. Yes, they're old Budd cars! Why, one even still has a circled T on the outside! But you don't have to pay $9 to see it; it's on display right outside the the station/gift shop - where there's always plenty of free parking!
Clark's is not the Flume | Back to the beginning
