Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, advance reservations are encouraged and can be purchased through our web site or by calling our main number. We accept Visa, Mastercard & AMEX credit and debit cards for online purchases. Following your online purchase, you will automatically receive a confirmation E-mail as a proof of purchase. If you can access E-mail on your cell phone, just show this E-mail to our Ticket Agents upon arrival and it will serve as your ticket & boarding pass. You can also call us at (603) 745-2135, 7 days a week between 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. if you would be more comfortable making advance reservations over the telephone.

For most of our rail bike trips out of Lincoln and Laconia, you will book an entire rail bike. 1 rail bike = 4 seats. 

There are some limited zip trip options available in Lincoln. These are booked by the seat (not by the rail bike.)

In Lincoln, we offer a motor-assisted White Mountains Rail Bike experience; normal trip is approximately two hours long. Our Zip Trip is just a bit shorter, about 80 minutes.

The motor-assist allows guests to pedal as much or as little as they desire.

In Laconia, there is no motor assist. It is a Lakes Region experience of approximately 90 minutes long, with a mid-ride break along the shore.

Granite State Railway & Lincoln Rail Bikes Depot, Lincoln, NH: open from 8:30 AM – 5 PM

Winnipesaukee Railway, Meredith, NH:  Meredith Station open from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Thurs. – Sunday)
9:30 AM – 3 PM (Monday)

Winnipesaukee Railway, Weirs Beach, NH:  Weirs Beach Ticket Booth opens at 10:00 AM (Thurs. – Monday)

Laconia Rail Bikes, Laconia, NH: Station opens at 9 AM – 4 PM (every day except Tuesday.)

Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to your departure time. 

Granite State Railway & Lincoln Rail Bikes – Lincoln, NH:

Yes, ample free parking is available in front of Granite State Railway’s Lincoln Station for automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, personal RV’s & Group Tour Motor Coaches.

Winnipesaukee Railway – Meredith, NH:

Yes, complimentary parking is available at our Meredith Station for automobiles, motorcycles, trucks and a limited number of personal RV’s. Group Tour Operators with Motor Coaches should plan to call Meredith Station at (603) 279-5253 in advance to ensure parking is available.

Winnipesaukee Railway – Weirs Beach, NH:

Metered parking is available along both sides of Lakeside Avenue in Weirs Beach. Please note that parking is limited on Lakeside Avenue so we suggest you plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes prior to your departure time.

Laconia Rail Bikes – Laconia, NH:

Yes, free parking is available on both sides of the Laconia Railroad Station located at 15 Veterans Square in Laconia, NH.

Overnight parking or camping is not permitted at any of our locations (Lincoln, Meredith, Weirs Beach or Laconia, NH).

Yes. Our trains and rail bikes operate rain or shine when conditions are safe.

Train excursions generally operate in rain, snow and sunshine. Passenger coaches are enclosed and heated as needed.

Rail bike excursions may be delayed, modified or canceled due to heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, high winds or other unsafe conditions.

Safety always comes first, and guests will be notified of any weather-related changes.

Our passenger coaches are not air conditioned. However, we do leave the windows and doors open whenever possible during the Spring, Summer & Fall to allow for maximum fresh air ventilation.

We have restrooms available in some of our passenger coaches, however, we recommend that all guests plan to use the restrooms in our stations prior to boarding the train.

We are a no smoking property. Smoking is not permitted aboard any train or in any building. We appreciate your cooperation.

We offer a variety of snacks, ice cream, soft drinks and bottled water for purchase in our Gift Shops in Lincoln & Meredith. In addition, you’re welcome to bring small coolers with a lunch on the train if you wish. All we ask is that you please take off the train what you bring on the train. Please note that alcohol is not permitted aboard the train.

We have wheelchair lifts available at the Granite State Railway in Lincoln, NH and at the Winnipesaukee Railway in Meredith, NH. Handicap access is not available at our Weirs Beach location. When used, wheelchairs must not exceed a maximum width of 24 inches at their widest point. Motorized scooters of any type are not permitted on any of our trains due to space limitations.

If handicap access or assistance is required for boarding, please call (603) 745-2135 in advance of your arrival so that we can provide the proper guidance and/or assistance at the time of boarding. 

Due to limited space om our trains, we ask that strollers not be brought onboard. At our Weirs Beach location however, you can bring a stroller on the train as long as it can be folded and stored on the train by a Car Host or Conductor. Strollers are not permitted to be used on the train.

We offer discounted rates to 20 or more paid guests.  For inquiries or to make a reservation, please visit our groups page on this site or send an E-mail to info@gsscenic.com.

Our railways operate in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and permits Service Animals on Property. Under the ADA, a Service Animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task the dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.

Emotional support, comfort and companionship animals are Not Covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are not allowed on Property.

Requirements For ADA Compliant Service Animals on Property:

● The Service Animal must be harnessed or on a leash, house broken, and under the owner’s control at all times.

● The Service Animal must remain on the floor and is Not Allowed on any furniture at any time. The service animal cannot be held by the owner.

● If the Service Animal disrupts the journey for anyone else, we will have to consider alternative seating options for the service animal and its owner.

● You must inform our ticket office staff, prior to your scheduled train departure, that you have an ADA Compliant Service Animal.

For additional information and definitions of Service Animals please visit the ADA website: Click To View

We understand that unplanned situations arise from time to time and could interfere with your plans to travel with us. Because our trips are date and time specific, we may be able to transfer tickets to another date and time, subject to availability.

Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE, unless your request is made at least 48 hours prior to your reservation. A fee of $5 per ticket will be charged to ALL requested booking changes and $10 per person for all cancellations. 

Within 48 hours of your reservation, NO refund will be available, unless you choose to add trip protection to your purchase. 

With trip protection, you are allowed cancellations and rebooking up to 2 hrs. prior with no additional fee. 

Disclaimer: Schedules are adhered to as closely as possible. However, the Railroad reserves the right to alter schedules and itineraries, and substitute equipment as conditions demand.