Heading for Wolfman Territory! A special double-headed version of the White Mountain Central Railroad's tourist train crosses the Pemigewasset River and prepares to head up the hill into "Wolfman Territory." For the benefit of the younger folks, the regular tourist trains are "terrorized" by the rogue "Wolfman" once on the other side of the river. The Wolfman repeatedly attempts to attack the intruding train with various home-grown weapons systems, always failing miserably to the delight of the kids.
The power on the train pictured here is the 50-ton, 2-Truck, Beebe River Lumber Co. Climax #6, which is the primary steam power on the White Mountain Central Railroad. Built in 1920, this engine earned its living in Campton, NH, a mere 16 miles south of where she runs now. She was purchased by the Clark Brothers in 1951 as a project, but it would be almost a quarter century before she'd be ready to run again. In the early years of the White Mountain Central, the little 32-ton, 2-Truck Heisler #4 that you see ahead of the Climax was the primary engine here. Back in those days, the trains were much shorter, and she was a perfect fit. In the 1970s, when the passenger loads got larger, the Climax was restored and she took over the primary role, and the Heisler was relegated to back-up duty. Ten years ago, during Clark's 50th anniversary, these two engines double-headed under power for the last time. Alas, the Heisler had developed boiler issues and would need a new boiler. Being too small to handle the regular trains any longer, she's been a low priority for the steam team at Clark's....but that didn't stop them from bringing her out in 2018 and placing her in her rightful spot on this train. Yeah, she's cold and dead for now, but she still looks great and her stablemate, the Climax, has no problems pushing a cold, dead Heisler....AND a 5-car passenger train up the hill. Aside from the boiler problems, the little Heisler is otherwise in good mechanical condition and could be restored at some point in the future.
From a hint of "Bee" (NKP 765), colorful "Bees" (KCS), "Bees" w/ "attitude", to "Bees" that "sting" your eyes, in their own way they have "Bee" on display! Equipment that "Buzzes" with Yellow & Black colors! ("Bees" can still "Bee" entering this "hive"!)
Beautiful mountain scenery has made this small state a draw for rail buffs to ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway and the Conway Scenic, among others.