Playing through. Proper golf etiquette dictates that faster players be allowed to play through and it is arguable that right this second, Conway Scenic's big switcher #7470 is definitely the fastest player on the 1st tee at the North Conway Country Club. No kidding! The switch at the south end of the Conway Scenic Railroad yard is literally the dividing line between the men's tee to the left, and the ladies tee just out of view on the right. Needless to say, yard moves like the one you see here pretty much bring tee shots here at the first hole to a halt.
On this particular day, we see #7470, fresh off a 1,472 Service Day Inspection, hauling an auxiliary water car and preparing to run around and take charge of a special passenger consist. Today, she's hauling an excursion all the way to the airport at Whitefield, NH, literally the west end of Conway Scenic's track. She'll be making appearance at the Whitefield Airport Open House and Airshow and running a short excursion for airshow fans, before returning to North Conway. This is a trip she's made only once (in 2011), since the 1950s. To be fair, she'll be assisted on this run by a couple of Geeps on the tail end of the consist, which will give her a boost on some of the steeper grades over the old Maine Central Mountain Division.
Yes folks, after a 4-year hiatus for required maintenance, the 7470 is once again in fine shape and the Conway Scenic Railroad, under new management, intends to put her to work. Check the railroad's website for days when she'll be on the Conway run, and stay tuned for another trip to Hazens during Railfan Weekend at the end of August.
