The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, which runs from Meredith to
Weirs Beach and then to Lakeport, offers a specatular view of
Lake Winnipesaukee and its islands, Belknap Mountain, and other sights along a shelf dug out over 100 years ago. After a brief stop in Weirs Beach to pick up passengers, the train is off to Lakeport all the way along the shore of "Paugus Bay."
Passengers can visit the Ice Cream Car, located at the north end of the train, where there is a bathroom, ice cream and other snacks, along with a gift shop and their famous "Hobo Picnic Lunch." The Hobo Railroad and Winnipsesaukee Scenic Railroad also offer dinner trains, foliage trains, and Santa Trains.
The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad and Hobo Railroad was part of the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, with its construction beginning in 1846. The line reached Tilton in May of 1848, Laconia in August of 1848, Meredith in March of 1849 and Plymouth in June of 1850. In the early part of the Twentieth Century, the line hosted many passenger trains as well as local freights but by 1965 was abandoned in favor of the Northern RR between Concord and White River Junction, Vt.
In 1986 the Plymouth and Lincoln Railroad was formed with the purpose of operating a theme park and the railroad out of Lincoln, NH, and a few years later, the Hobo Railroad successfully bid for trackage between Tilton and Plymouth. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad was then formed and is currently running.