White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears in Lincoln, New Hampshire
Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesRuns during the Clark's Bears season; check the park schedule
The White Mountain Central Railroad is the steam railroad inside Clark's Bears in Lincoln, where a 1920 Climax geared logging locomotive, one of only four still running, takes families across a 1904 covered bridge.
- 1920 Climax geared steam locomotive
- One of four Climax engines running
- 1904 covered bridge crossing
- 25-minute, 2.5-mile ride
- Included with Clark's Bears admission
White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears at a glance
- Hours
- Runs on the Clark's Bears schedule, roughly late May to early October; check the park's site
- Admission
- Train ride included with Clark's Bears park admission; check clarksbears.com for prices
- Train rides
- 25-minute, 2.5-mile steam or diesel train ride, about six trips a day
- Plan for
- Most of a day for the full park
- Best for
- Families with young kids and steam fans
- Best ages
- Ages 3 to 12
- Parking
- Lot next to the railroad station and park entrance
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address110 Daniel Webster Highway (US Route 3), Lincoln, NH 03251(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(603) 745-8913
- Emailinfo@clarksbears.com
- Websitewhitemountaincentralrr.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears? 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.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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A logging engine that waited for the Clarks
The star of the White Mountain Central Railroad was built in 1920 by the Climax Manufacturing Company in Pennsylvania. It went brand new to the Beebe River Lumber Company in Campton, about 16 miles south of Lincoln, and spent a few years hauling logs out of the Waterville Valley area. It was then sold to the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, about a mile from today's park, which used it for a few more seasons before parking it in storage.
It sat there until 1951, when the Clark family bought it. The engine has since been completely rebuilt, and the railroad is proud that it is one of only four Climax locomotives still running anywhere, out of roughly 1,000 built. The others are at the Warehouse Point Trolley Museum in Connecticut, on the West Coast and in New Zealand.
Over the years the family gathered a whole roster around it: steam locomotives numbered 1, 4, 5 and 6, a Shay, a miniature steam engine, diesel No. 1943, gasoline locomotive No. 2 and rail bus B1. The railroad sits inside the large, family-owned Clark's Bears theme park, long known as Clark's Trading Post. It is one of the few places in New England with regular steam operation, and a rare example of a purpose-built tourist line laid to standard gauge rather than narrow gauge.
Covered bridge, calliope and a working steam cab
The railroad station doubles as the main entrance to Clark's Bears, and it is where you buy tickets, right next to the parking lot, the snack bar and the gift shop. A calliope plays circus tunes nearby. Before the train leaves, the engineers are known to welcome visitors up to the cab of the Climax to look around and ask questions between chores.
The ride itself lasts about 25 minutes and covers about 2.5 miles, crossing a 1904 Howe-truss covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River and rolling into Wolfman's territory, where the park's famous character makes his appearance. On busy days the steam logging engine pushes the train; in quieter months a historic diesel takes over. Along the way the crew stops for about 200 gallons of water or a third of a cord of firewood, and over six trips a day the engine burns roughly a cord of wood.
Don’t miss
- The 1920 Climax locomotiveA geared logging engine built for steep grades and rough track, and one of only four Climax engines still operating worldwide.
- The 1904 covered bridgeA relocated Howe-truss bridge that carries the train over the Pemigewasset River.
- The engine cabThe friendly engineers often invite visitors to step up and see the controls between runs.
- Water and wood stopsWatch the crew take on water or firewood mid-trip, a real look at how a wood-fired engine keeps going.
- Wolfman's territoryPast the covered bridge, the ride turns into a bit of theater with the park's longtime Wolfman character.
Steam, bears and a little bit of spooky
The ride is short enough for small children, and the whole day is built around kids: admission covers the train, the trained bear show, a kids climbing tower, water blaster boats, the Anaconda Escape water slide, a haunted mansion, a Segway park and several museums. Ice cream, candle making and craft shops cost extra.
Wolfman jumps into the story once the train crosses the covered bridge, which is meant as fun but may startle very young riders, so prepare little riders ahead of time. Kids who love engines should ask to peek into the Climax cab before departure.
Plan your visit: tips for White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears
- Buy tickets at the railroad station, which is also the park entrance.
- On busy days the steam engine usually runs; in quieter months a diesel may pull the train.
- Ask the engineers if you can see the cab before departure.
- Schedules, fares and locomotives can change without notice.
A family park that keeps steam alive
Clark's Bears is a large family-owned park, and the Clarks have cared for the Climax since 1951, rebuilding it to excellent condition. The engineers keep the steam engine fueled and running on every trip. Visiting the park, buying from the gift shop and following the railroad's Facebook page, updated weekly, all support the work.
Two more trains in the same town
The Hobo Railroad, now the Granite State Railway, is about a mile away and runs longer rides along the Pemigewasset River. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 24 miles away, and the Ashland Railroad Station Museum is about 25 miles south. Plan the rest of your trip with our New Hampshire train museum guide.
- Winnipesaukee Scenic RailroadMeredith, NH · about 1 mi
- Hobo RailroadLincoln, NH · about 1 mi
- Mount Washington Cog RailwayBretton Woods, NH · about 24 mi
- Ashland Railroad Station MuseumAshland, NH · about 25 mi
- Conway Scenic RailroadNorth Conway, NH · about 28 mi
- Wolfeboro Railroad historic collectionWolfeboro, NH · about 41 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Riding into a covered bridge must feel a lot like the tunnel in our book: it goes dim for a moment, and then the light bursts back in and everybody cheers. Rally, sitting between Mom and Dad, loves that part best. I like to think kids crossing the old 1904 bridge here get that same happy jolt. Our story page tells how my mom dreamed up Rally's ride before she died in 2021.
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
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
- Train museums in New Hampshire: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in New Hampshire
- Halloween train rides in New Hampshire
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears?
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
- White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears official website(opens in a new tab)
- White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Bears on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
White Mountain Central Railroad: 20 questions about the Clark's Bears train
What is the White Mountain Central Railroad?
It is the steam railroad inside Clark's Bears, a family-owned theme park in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Its 25-minute, 2.5-mile ride crosses a 1904 covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River behind a 1920 Climax geared logging locomotive. It is one of the few places in New England with regular steam operation.
Where is the White Mountain Central Railroad?
It is at Clark's Bears, 110 Daniel Webster Highway (US Route 3), Lincoln, New Hampshire 03251, just off Interstate 93. The railroad station serves as the main entrance to the park, next to the parking lot. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1, Lincoln, NH 03251.
Is Clark's Trading Post the same as Clark's Bears?
Yes. The family-owned park has long been known as Clark's Trading Post, and it now goes by Clark's Bears, home of Clark's Trained Bears and the White Mountain Central Railroad. The railroad's own website still refers to the Clark's Trading Post grounds in its virtual tour.
How much does the White Mountain Central Railroad cost?
The train ride is included in Clark's Bears park admission, along with the bear show and other main attractions. Prices are listed on the park's website, clarksbears.com, and the railroad notes that fares can change without notice. Call (603) 745-8913 to confirm current pricing.
Where do you buy tickets for the White Mountain Central Railroad?
Tickets are sold at the railroad station, which is also the entrance to Clark's Bears. You pay park admission there, and the train ride is part of it. Check the park website before you go for current prices and the schedule.
When does the White Mountain Central Railroad run?
The train runs during the Clark's Bears season, which travel listings describe as late May to early October, with weekends only in parts of spring and fall. The railroad tells visitors to check the Clark's Bears schedule for exact dates, and it posts news weekly on its Facebook page.
How long is the train ride at Clark's Bears?
The ride lasts about 25 minutes and covers about 2.5 miles. It runs out over the 1904 covered bridge and into Wolfman's territory, with a brief stop for water or firewood along the way. The train makes about six trips a day, so you can usually fit it in easily.
Is the White Mountain Central Railroad a real steam train?
Yes. In the busy part of the season the train is normally pushed by a rare steam logging locomotive, the 1920 Climax. On quieter days a historic diesel may run instead. The steam engine burns about a cord of firewood and roughly 600 gallons of water a day.
What is the Climax locomotive at Clark's Bears?
It is a geared steam locomotive built in 1920 by the Climax Manufacturing Company in Pennsylvania for logging. It worked for the Beebe River Lumber Company in Campton and the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad before the Clarks bought it in 1951. Of about 1,000 Climax engines built, only four still run.
What locomotives does the White Mountain Central Railroad have?
Besides the 1920 Climax, the railroad lists steam locomotives numbered 1, 4, 5 and 6, a Shay steam engine, a miniature steam locomotive, diesel No. 1943, gasoline locomotive No. 2 and rail bus B1. The railroad notes that the engine pulling your train can change without notice.
Can you go in the locomotive cab at Clark's Bears?
Often, yes. The railroad's virtual tour invites visitors to say hello to the engineers in the cab of the Climax steam locomotive, who usually find time between servicing the engine to answer questions. Ask at the station platform before your train departs.
What is Wolfman's territory on the Clark's Bears train?
After the train crosses the covered bridge, it enters Wolfman's territory, where the park's longtime Wolfman character makes an appearance as part of the ride. It is meant to be fun, but very young children may be startled, so let them know what is coming.
Is the White Mountain Central Railroad standard gauge or narrow gauge?
It is described as a rare purpose-built tourist railroad that uses standard-gauge track rather than the narrow gauge common at theme parks. Some travel listings call it narrow gauge, but the standard-gauge description is the one most rail references give.
What else is included with Clark's Bears admission?
Admission covers the train ride with Wolfman, the trained bear show, the Anaconda Escape water slide, a haunted mansion, a kids climbing tower, several museums, a Segway park and water blaster boats. The ice cream parlor, candle making, craft shops, snack bars and gift shops cost extra.
Is Clark's Bears good for toddlers?
Yes, with a little planning. The train ride is short, and the bear show, climbing tower and boats keep small children busy. Wolfman may surprise very young kids. Bring water and sun protection for a day outdoors, and call (603) 745-8913 with any questions about stroller use.
Is there a gift shop at the White Mountain Central Railroad?
Yes. The station sits near the park's snack bar and gift shop, and Clark's Bears also has craft shops, candle making and an ice cream parlor, which are paid separately from admission. They make a good last stop after the train ride.
How long should I plan to spend at Clark's Bears?
Plan most of a day. The train ride itself is about 25 minutes, but the bear show, water slide, haunted mansion, museums and other attractions add up. Families with young children often schedule the train first and the show after, depending on the posted times.
Where is the covered bridge at Clark's Bears from?
The train crosses a 1904 Howe-truss covered bridge that was relocated to the park and now spans the Pemigewasset River. Riding across it is one of the highlights of the trip and a favorite photo spot.
How do I contact the White Mountain Central Railroad?
Contact goes through Clark's Bears, the theme park that hosts the railroad: call (603) 745-8913 or email info@clarksbears.com with questions about tickets, the schedule or the locomotives. For railroad news and photos, the White Mountain Central Railroad Facebook page is updated weekly during the season.
What train rides are near Clark's Bears?
The Hobo Railroad, now called the Granite State Railway, is about a mile away in Lincoln and runs longer rides along the Pemigewasset River. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is about 24 miles away, and the Ashland Railroad Station Museum is about 25 miles south.
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