Granite State Railway (Hobo Railroad) in Lincoln, New Hampshire

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Lincoln, New Hampshire · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesSummer, fall foliage and Santa Express seasons

The Granite State Railway, opened in 1987 as the Hobo Railroad, runs restored vintage coaches from the Lincoln Depot along the Pemigewasset River at the gateway to the White Mountains.

  • Opened June 15, 1987
  • Restored vintage coaches
  • Rides along the Pemigewasset River
  • Santa Express in winter
  • Electric rail bikes since 2025

Granite State Railway (Hobo Railroad) at a glance

Hours
Seasonal; check gsscenic.com for train times
Admission
Check gsscenic.com for current fares; group rates for 20 or more
Train rides
Round-trip scenic train from the Lincoln Depot; Santa Express in winter; Lincoln Rail Bikes
Seasonal events
Santa Express, Fall foliage rides
Plan for
About 1 to 1.5 hours for the train ride
Best for
Families with young kids visiting the White Mountains
Best ages
Toddlers to age 10

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Granite State Railway (Hobo Railroad)? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Lincoln.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

How a Lincoln couple put trains back on an idle line

The tracks through Lincoln date to 1848, when 54 miles of railroad were built between Tilton and Lincoln. The Boston, Concord & Montreal brought summer visitors north from Boston, Hartford and New York, and in the early 1900s the Boston & Maine took over, hauling passengers and freight for the area's paper mills. Car travel thinned out the passenger trains in the 1950s, and when the paper mills shut down in the mid-1970s, freight stopped too.

The State of New Hampshire bought the idle line and offered it for lease, and Ed and Brenda Clark of Lincoln saw a future in it. On June 15, 1987 they opened the Hobo Railroad, turning a quiet freight branch into a scenic passenger ride through the woods. It caught on quickly. In 1991 the Clarks bought the Winnipesaukee Railway as well, which put the full route from Lincoln to Tilton under one family.

In 2024 the railroad joined Patriot Rail's scenic excursion group and took the name Granite State Railway. Many longtime visitors still call it the Hobo Railroad, and the shortline that operates the trains has also been known as the Plymouth & Lincoln Railroad. Electric rail bikes arrived in Lincoln in 2025, a new way to ride a line with more than 175 years behind it.

Riverside woods from a vintage coach

Trains leave from the historic Lincoln Depot at 64 Railroad Street in the center of town, just south of the White Mountains. The round trip runs through a wooded setting along the Pemigewasset River in restored vintage coaches and returns to the same depot. The railroad's group page describes a 60-minute ride, while travel guides have described it as about 80 minutes covering roughly 15 miles, so check the current trip length when you book.

The scenery changes with the calendar: summer greens, bright leaves in fall and snowy woods on the winter Santa Express. For a more active outing, the Lincoln Rail Bikes are custom four-person electric bikes that roll along the rails with mountain and forest views.

Don’t miss

  1. The Lincoln DepotThe historic depot is where every train starts and ends, right in downtown Lincoln.
  2. The Pemigewasset River viewsThe track follows the river through the woods, the main view from the coach windows.
  3. Santa ExpressA cozy winter ride through quiet snowy landscapes, the railroad's holiday tradition.
  4. Lincoln Rail BikesFour-person, motor-assisted rail bikes added in 2025, a fun choice for families with older kids.

An easy ride for young engineers

The riverside trip is a manageable length for small children, with the gentle sway of vintage coaches and woods and water outside the window. The Santa Express gives the holiday season a train ride of its own. Rail bikes are better saved for older kids who can sit safely in a four-seat bike. The railroad does not post age limits or stroller rules online, so call (603) 745-2135 with questions.

Plan your visit: tips for Granite State Railway (Hobo Railroad)

  • Book online at gsscenic.com, especially for fall foliage weekends and the Santa Express.
  • The depot is at 64 Railroad Street in downtown Lincoln.
  • Groups of 20 or more get special rates; call (603) 745-2135.
  • Search for Granite State Railway, the current name, when booking.

In winter the railroad runs the Santa Express, a relaxed ride through quiet, snowy woods with crisp mountain air outside the windows. Holiday dates fill early, so book ahead, and see our list of Christmas train rides in New Hampshire for more seasonal ideas.

A family railroad in new hands

For more than 35 years the Clark family of Lincoln ran these trains. Since 2024 the Granite State Railway has been part of Patriot Rail's scenic excursion group, with a staff running trains in both Lincoln and the Lakes Region. Buying tickets, booking a group trip and joining the e-newsletter are the best ways to keep the line rolling.

More to ride near Lincoln

Clark's Bears and its White Mountain Central Railroad is right in Lincoln, about a mile away, and pairs perfectly with a Hobo Railroad ride. The same company runs the Winnipesaukee Railway on the lake end of the line, and the Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 24 miles away. For a full list, see New Hampshire train museums and rides.

Every train museum in New Hampshire

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Vintage coaches like the ones in Lincoln have tall steps, and that is exactly where Rally gets stuck in our book. His little corgi legs just cannot manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. I love that moment because every small kid knows the feeling. If yours want to color Rally on those stairs, you can find him on our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Granite State Railway (Hobo Railroad)?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Hobo Railroad: 20 questions families ask

Is the Hobo Railroad still running?

Yes, under a new name. The Hobo Railroad, opened by Ed and Brenda Clark in 1987, joined Patriot Rail's scenic excursion group in 2024 and was renamed the Granite State Railway. Trains still leave the historic Lincoln Depot, and tickets are sold at gsscenic.com.

Where is the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH?

The railroad's depot and main office are at 64 Railroad Street, Lincoln, New Hampshire 03251, in downtown Lincoln at the gateway to the White Mountains. Travel guides note it is just off exit 32 of Interstate 93. Call (603) 745-2135 if you need directions.

How much are Hobo Railroad tickets?

Current fares are listed on gsscenic.com for each date and ride. Travel listings based on visitor reviews have mentioned adult fares starting around $17, but prices change, so check the official booking page before you go. Groups of 20 or more can ask for special rates at (603) 745-2135.

Can you get free Hobo Railroad tickets?

The railroad does not advertise free tickets online. The surest discount it posts is group pricing for parties of 20 or more, such as school trips and family reunions. Call (603) 745-2135 or email info@gsscenic.com to ask about any current offers before you buy.

How long is the Hobo Railroad train ride?

The railroad's group page describes the Lincoln trip as a 60-minute round trip, while travel guides have called it about 80 minutes and roughly 15 miles along the Pemigewasset River. Times can change by season, so check the trip length on gsscenic.com when you book.

What is the Hobo Railroad schedule?

The railroad runs seasonally, with summer, fall foliage and winter Santa Express trips. Travel listings describe a season from late May through October plus Thanksgiving through December. Exact departure times vary, so check gsscenic.com for your date; group trips in September and October leave at 12:30 pm on select dates.

What are the Hobo Railroad hours?

There are no fixed daily hours posted; the railroad runs scheduled departures that change by season and date. Look up the day you want on gsscenic.com, or call (603) 745-2135. Plan to arrive at the Lincoln Depot a little before your train leaves.

Is there a Hobo Railroad Christmas train?

Yes. The Santa Express is the railroad's winter trip, a cozy ride through quiet, snowy landscapes in crisp mountain air. Travel listings place holiday trains between Thanksgiving and December. Book early on gsscenic.com, since winter trips are popular.

What does the Hobo Railroad route look like?

Trains leave the Lincoln Depot and travel round trip through wooded country along the Pemigewasset River before returning to the same station. The route is part of the historic 54-mile line laid in 1848 between Lincoln and Tilton. The railroad does not post a detailed route map online.

Does the Hobo Railroad go to Weirs Beach or Meredith?

Regular trains from Lincoln do not. The Weirs Beach and Meredith rides belong to the sister Winnipesaukee Railway, which the Clarks bought in 1991 and which is run by the same company. Its two-hour rides leave from 154 Main Street in Meredith and one-hour rides from 211 Lakeside Avenue in Weirs Beach.

Is there a Hobo Railroad turkey train?

The Turkey Dinner Train runs on the sister Winnipesaukee Railway from Meredith, not from Lincoln. It is a two-hour lake ride with a full turkey dinner catered by Hart's Turkey Farm on select dates from September to October. Book through gsscenic.com.

Does the Hobo Railroad ride along Lake Winnipesaukee?

The Lincoln trains ride along the Pemigewasset River, not the lake. Lake Winnipesaukee rides are run by the same company's Winnipesaukee Railway, with boarding in Meredith and Weirs Beach. Both are on gsscenic.com, so you can plan a lake ride and a mountain ride on the same trip.

Is there mini golf at the Hobo Railroad?

The railroad's website does not list mini golf among its current activities. Its Lincoln offerings are the scenic train ride, the winter Santa Express and electric rail bikes. If you are looking for mini golf near the depot, ask the railroad at (603) 745-2135 when you book.

What are the Lincoln Rail Bikes at the Hobo Railroad?

Added in 2025, the Lincoln Rail Bikes are custom-built, four-person electric rail bikes that ride the historic track with views of the White Mountains and forest. They are motor assisted, so you do not need to be a strong cyclist. Book them on gsscenic.com like a train ticket.

Is the Hobo Railroad good for toddlers?

Yes. The train ride is a manageable length for young children, and vintage coaches with river and woods views keep little ones busy. Coach steps can be tall, so expect to help small kids aboard. The railroad does not post stroller rules, so call (603) 745-2135 if you are bringing one.

When did the Hobo Railroad open?

Ed and Brenda Clark of Lincoln opened the Hobo Railroad on June 15, 1987, after the State of New Hampshire bought the old line and offered it for lease. The track itself dates to 1848 and once belonged to the Boston, Concord & Montreal and later the Boston & Maine.

Can groups book the Hobo Railroad?

Yes. The railroad offers special rates for groups of 20 or more, including motorcoach tours, school trips, reunions and corporate outings, with group departures at 12:30 pm on select September and October dates. Call (603) 745-2135 or fill out the group form on gsscenic.com.

What do reviews say about the Hobo Railroad?

Family travel sites describe it as an easy outing with river views, and it has long been a favorite stop on I-93 in the White Mountains. For recent comments and photos, look up the Granite State Railway on review sites, since many newer reviews use the current name.

Is there a map of the Hobo Railroad?

The railroad does not publish a route map online. The train runs from the Lincoln Depot at 64 Railroad Street along the Pemigewasset River and back. For the depot location, use the street address in your map app, which leads you to downtown Lincoln near exit 32 of I-93.

What else is near the Hobo Railroad?

Clark's Bears, home of the White Mountain Central Railroad, is about a mile away in Lincoln. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 24 miles away, and the sister Winnipesaukee Railway runs lakeside trips in Meredith and Weirs Beach. Lincoln makes a good base for a train weekend.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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