Clark's Bears Summer 2024

Take a journey through history, but beware of The Wolfman!

  • White Mt. Central RR
  • White Mt. Central RR
  • All Kids Aboard: The White Mt. Central RR
  • White Mt. Central RR
  • White Mt. Central RR in Autumn
  • White Mt. Central RR

All aboard the White Mountain Central Railroad for a 25-minute 2½ mile train ride. Travel through our 1904 covered bridge across the scenic Pemigewasset River and into Wolfman's territory! This season we will be operating both our General Electric diesel locomotive (during the spring and fall) and the Climax steam locomotive (from July 1 through August 25, then again August 31, September 1, & 2, 2024).

Our Climax geared steam locomotive was built in 1920 in Corry, Pennsylvania by the Climax Manufacturing Company. It was patented February 25, 1890 and has the builder's number 1603. The 50-ton Climax was bought brand new by the Beebe River Lumber Company in Campton, NH located about 16 miles south of Clark's Bears. The Beebe River Lumber Company used it to haul lumber out of the Waterville Valley area. They sold the Climax to the East Branch and Lincoln Railroad in Lincoln, NH. There it was used for a few years hauling lumber and then put into storage.

In 1951 the Clark's bought the Climax and had plans to restore it someday. In the early 1970's the trucks were put back together. In 1975 the Climax was moved into the new brick engine house for restoration. A new lagging jacket, pins and bushings were installed. Also that winter they replaced the tubes in the boiler and the gears were repaired as well. The Climax was converted from coal to wood. By the summer of 1976, the Climax was ready to go online for passenger service on the White Mountain Central RR for the first time!

Over the decades the Climax has had various maintenance issues repaired. Clark's Bears and the White Mountain Central RR is fortunate to have a dedicated staff to keep the Climax running for the enjoyment of our guests for years to come.

The GE diesel electric locomotive is a 65-ton standard gauge engine that was built in Schenectady, New York with builder's number 17,996. It was used on the Newport Dinner Train in Newport, Rhode Island. The White Mountain Central Railroad purchased this locomotive in 2004 and has used it as needed on the tourist train ride ever since.
Locomotives are subject to change without notice.

Wolfman

One of the favorite parts of the train ride for many passengers is coming face to face with the Wolfman. This longtime resident of these woods, the rabble rousin' Wolfman will amuse you with his antics, all in an attempt to keep curious visitors away from his secret mining operation of the precious mineral: Unobtainium. He never tires of using his many tricks to keep you off his land. Don't worry kids, Wolfman will not try to cross the bridge because he is too afraid of heights. He will not cross underneath the bridge because he is more afraid of water! In fact, Wolfman is so afraid of water that he hasn't taken a bath... IN YEARS! You will be returned safely to the beautiful Victorian train station where you can continue your day. Note to parents: Please use your discretion for your preschool children.

Click here for train schedule.

A History of the White Mountain Central Railroad

In the early 50's, fascinated by steam-power, the Clark brothers began to rescue steam locomotives from the cutting torch creating "green pastures for iron horses" at the Trading Post. Conceived with hard work and an impressive collection of locomotives - including models by Climax, Heisler, Shay and Porter - the White Mountain Central Railroad was born.

In 1963, with his two teenage sons and a dedicated crew in tow, Edward M. Clark dismantled a 1904 Howe-Truss railroad covered bridge in East Montpelier, Vermont. The team then transported the structure and reassembled it to span the mighty Pemigewasset River adjacent to the Trading Post grounds. A monumental accomplishment, our bridge is the world's only standing example of a Howe-Truss bridge.

Today, after 60 years of "moving people by steam," the White Mountain Central Railroad primarily relies on the Climax locomotive, one of only three left in operation worldwide.

Learn more about locomotive lore and railroad heritage in the Florence Murray Museum. or visit the White Mountain Central Railroad website at whitemountaincentralrr.com for more details about our railroad equipment.