Clark’s Trading Post, RR Weekends

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Clark’s Trading Post, RR Weekends; 2009 event
Topic Started: October 14 2009, 02:36 PM (156 Views)
mrceagle	October 14 2009, 02:36 PM Post #1
Beluga Posts: 415 Group: Admin Member #421 Joined: 4 September 2008	Having not been to Clark’s In a couple years I wanted to make it up there this year. I opted to go on A special event Weekends. The event Rail road Weekend, a weekend were the Clark Family puts it all out there so to speck for all who visit can see. The event featured all the Locomotives train engine the family owns on display as well as Most of them fired up. Some locomotives were used to do special round weather it be a short back property track run to a event only Double header (2 locomotive on one train) operation on some trips. The park was running with cars normally kept on display such as their caboose. Clark’s Trading post while often referred to as an Amusement or Theme park is actually a long standing Road Side Attraction. The attraction is one of the oldest in New England with 81 years of operation, 60 years of operation their of bear shows), and 51 year operating the White Mountain Central RR ( The train line). Will all that history it’s easy to forget Clark’s started simply as an Eskimo sled Dog ranch and soon a large trading post. The day was a bit cold, with it feeling more like late October then September in the White Mountains that day. We got to the park before opening and after entering made our way to the back are of the property, normally off limits, All their operating Locomotives and a REO speed wagon made a grand entrance into the main area crossing over the parks 1904 Trestle bridge which they relocated and saved from being demolished. After a few great photo ops we went on with out day. There were many train rides; we took 3 during the day. One caboose ride pulled by their Army diesel Engine, a back line open cart ride using their 1931 Porter, and a cab ride in the Climax locomotive during one of the Double header runs. We took in the parks attraction the park offers a few rides and attractions. Always a fun experience is Merlin’s Mystical Mansion is an in house built Mad House, this Illusion attraction will send your head spinning. The park also offers bumper cars, a Rock wall, and a crooked house. A RR weekends Exclusive was the REO speed wagon rides, this is an actual REO Speed wagon retrofitted to be used as a rail bus. This was a transition style form Trolleys to road buses. We took 2 rides which brought you back along the parks 2.5 mile line and back to the water tower. New for 2009 is the Wolfman Segway Park. This is an attraction were you ride an X2 Segway around a dirt area. You get 5 minutes of riding time after they teach you how to use the Machine. It’s a fun attraction but it’s on the slow setting so you don’t get a really idea of what these things can do. The one that Operated Heritage NH moved a bit quicker with fewer speed settings. Worth checking out though if you visit. The main, long running, attraction at Clark’s is their bear show. The Black bears are a sight to see. They create tricks off of what the bears enjoy doing and reward them with Ice cream or Milk with honey. The shows offers a lot of facts about the animals and how they care for them. Though be warned the act is full of puns that by the end may be a bit un-bear-able. The attraction is well maintained with a 20’s style Downtown guiding you form one side of the park to the other. The buildings contain Museums, eateries, and don’t forget the riverbank restrooms. The day was a good one. Saw all the attraction got in a few rides and talked with a lot of good people. Admission is $17 Dollars a person and includes all rides, shows and attraction. That includes the rock wall. If you visit in the summer there is also a circus show. So if you’re ever in the White Mountains looking for something to do over a few hours Clark’s is right up your alley. See more images from the day here: http://img29.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=img4984z.jpg Edited by mrceagle, October 19 2009, 10:45 PM.



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