Logging Railroads


Logging railroads in the New Hampshire White Mountains date back to the 1870s, when the first logging railroad to operate in the White Mountains was built – the John’s River Railroad. Some railroads lasted only for a few years, while others, such as the legendary East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, lasted many years. Now in the 21st-century, some consider the railroad logging era to be the most interesting part of White Mountains history. This work focuses on the history of these abandoned logging railroads, and it also showcases them in their current state.


Gordon Pond Railroad, Artifact

Gordon Pond Railroad, Artifact
Gordon Pond Railroad, Artifact - This project is focused on the abandoned railroads in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. For the most part, I keep this work separated from my everyday photography business because there is not much interest for this type of imagery outside of New England. Can you help identify this artifact along the abandoned Gordon Pond Railroad (1905-1916) in Woodstock, New Hampshire? Take a look when you get a chance ...

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Lincoln

Porter 50 ton saddle tank engine locomotive on display at Loon Mountain along the Kancamagus Highway in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA.
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad - The East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, built by timber baron James E. Henry, was a logging railroad that operated from 1893-1948 in the New Hampshire towns of Lincoln and Franconia. Much of the railroad was in the area we know today as the Pemigewasset Wilderness. If you venture into the Pemi, from the Lincoln Woods Trail....[Continue reading] ...

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Trestle 16

Pemigewasset Wilderness - Black Brook Trestle (Trestle 16) along the old East Branch & Lincoln Railroad in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA just pass the old Camp 16 location. This was a logging railroad which operated from 1893 - 1948.
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Trestle 16 - Trestle 16 is located along the abandoned East Branch & Lincoln Railroad in the Pemigewasset Wilderness of New Hampshire. It is also referred to as Black Brook Trestle and the J.E. Henry Trestle. Trestle 16 is one of the few remaining trestle artifacts that remind us of what took place in the area we know today as the Pemigewasset Wilderness....[Continue reading] ...

1907 Owl’s Head Fire, Pemigewasset Wilderness

1907 Owl's Head Fire - Pemigewasset Wilderness
1907 Owl's Head Fire, Pemigewasset Wilderness - Around August 17th in 1907 a lightning strike ignited a fire on Owls Head Mountain in the Pemigewasset (Pemi) Wilderness of the New Hampshire White Mountains...[Continue reading] ...

White Mountains Railroad Books

Pemigewasset Wilderness, New Hampshire USA
Zealand Valley Railroad - Appalachian Trail follows the old railroad grade White Mountains, New Hampshire Railroad Books - Over the years, numerous books have been published focused on the logging railroads of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. One of my favorites is J.E. Henry’s Logging Railroads by Bill Gove. It is an excellent book focused on the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad ...

East Branch & Lincoln, Corduroyed Roads

East Branch & Lincoln, Corduroyed Roads
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad, Corduroyed Roads - Have you ever come across something in the forests of New England you know was man made, but have no idea what it is? Here is something for you to look for the next time you are exploring one of the abandoned logging railroads in New England ...

Artifact Removal Is Illegal

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad - Lincoln, NH
Artifact Notice Sign - White Mountains, New Hampshire Artifact Removal Is Illegal - As you explore the logging camps and historical sites of the White Mountains, New Hampshire, keep in mind that removal of historic or archaeological artifacts from federal lands without a permit is a violation of federal law. Destruction of artifacts is also a crime ...

East Branch & Lincoln, Trestle 7

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad – Trestle 7
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad - Trestle 7 (Franconia Brook ) East Branch & Lincoln, Trestle 7 - As I start photographing abandoned railroads again, one of my objectives is to show how 20th century railroads have been used in the current trail system. Many of the railroads have disappeared into the forest never to be seen again, but others have become intricate parts of the White Mountain trail system. This is evident at the Franconia Brook crossing along the ...

East Branch & Lincoln Railroad – Artifact

East Branch & Lincoln Logging Railroad in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad - Artifact East Branch & Lincoln Railroad - Always look in the water, because you never know what you will find! The above photo is of an old horseshoe (artifact) in a wetlands area of the Pemigewasset Wilderness near Camp 9. Camp 9 was a rail-side logging camp located along the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (EB&L) in Lincoln, New Hampshire USA ...

Sawyer River Railroad

Mount Carrigain - White Mountains, New Hampshire
Sawyer River Railroad, New Hampshire - The Sawyer River Railroad, operated by the Daniel Saunders Family, was a ten-mile long logging railroad in the New Hampshire White Mountains. It was in operation from 1877-1928 and was one of the last logging railroads to operate in New Hampshire...[Continue reading] ...