The Granite State Railway leaves from the Lincoln depot on Railroad Street in the middle of Lincoln — 3 min from the lodge, walking distance if you like — and follows the Pemigewasset River south for about fifteen miles and 80 min round trip, crossing trestles and running through woods you cannot see from any road. It is a sightseeing train, not a transit one: you ride out, the engine runs around, you ride back.
It is exactly as low-key as that sounds, and that is the appeal. Foliage season is its moment — the river corridor lights up in early October — and the winter Santa Express runs from Thanksgiving through December for the small-child crowd. Grown-ups without kids tend to do it once, in October, with a coffee, and enjoy it more than they expected.
The ride
About fifteen miles round trip, about 80 min, on restored coaches pulled by a diesel — some open-window cars in warm weather, some enclosed. The line runs south along the Pemigewasset from Lincoln through Woodstock toward Thornton, with river views on one side and forest on the other, and a couple of trestle crossings that are the photo moments.
Seating options, and any onboard snacks, are listed when you book at gsscenic.com.
Season and booking
The railroad runs from late May through October, then again from Thanksgiving through December for the Santa Express. Fall foliage trains in September and October are the busy ones — book ahead. Advance reservations are required for all rides; you get an email confirmation rather than a paper ticket. Granite State Railway is the name you will see on tickets and at gsscenic.com.
Ticket prices for 2026 were listed as to-be-announced on the operator's site when we last checked, so we will not quote a number that may be wrong — see gsscenic.com for current fares by age (adult, child 4-12, toddler). Recent seasons ran in the high teens for adults on the standard ride, with premium seating higher.
Who it's for
Families with young kids, obviously — the Santa Express is a rite of passage for local children. Grandparents. Anyone with tired legs after two days of hiking who wants the scenery to come to them. And, in the first two weeks of October, everyone: the river corridor's foliage from the train is a legitimately good show.
It is not a thrill ride and it does not climb a mountain — for that, the Cog Railway on Mount Washington is the ticket, an hour away. The Granite State Railway is the gentle one.
Around the station
The station sits right in Lincoln's center, steps from Main Street's restaurants and coffee, which makes it easy to pair: ride the morning train, walk to lunch. The lodge is a few minutes away, and on a rainy afternoon this plus a taproom is a complete plan.
Where to stay for it
The station is about 3 min from the lodge. It is our answer for the third-day-tired-legs afternoon and for the foliage-week guest who wants the color without a windshield in front of it.
Sources & official info: gsscenic.com · gsscenic.com
— Launchpoint Lodge, From the lodge
