Parade of Power: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Steam at Clark's. Kicking off the 2-day celebration of the 60th anniversary of the White Mountain Central Railroad, all 5 of the line's steam locomotives couple up and parade before patrons just after the park opens. Leading the charge is an 0-4-0T Porter, followed by a 2-4-2T Baldwin, a 2-Truck Heisler, a 2-Truck Climax and a 2-Truck Shay. The Porter, Baldwin and Climax are all operable and burn wood. The other two engines are currently static displays which are being hauled dead in the train.
Back in the early 1950s, when railroads began drawing down their steam operations, a pair of New Hampshire-based enthusiasts, known as the Clark Brothers, undertook a personal mission to save a few steam engines with ties to their home state. Over the course of 10 years, they acquired 5 engines, including an industrial Porter 0-4-0T, a Baldwin 2-4-2T logging locomotive, and one example each of the three major geared types: Climax, Heisler & Shay. In the 1960s, the Clark's built a short, mountain railroad on which to run their collection. Initially, the railroad was known as "Green Pastures for Iron Horses", but eventually, it was officially named the White Mountain Central Railroad. To support it, the Clarks then built a tourist attraction around the railroad, featuring trained bear shows, a museum and various activities for the kids. For the past 60 years, the White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark's Trading Post has been one of the few places in New England where you can see regular steam operations during the summer months. The Climax locomotive provides the primary power, making the run up the hill several times each operating day, while the other two operable locomotives are steamed up for special occasions, such as the 60th anniversary special event, pictured in this photo.
From a hint of "Bee" (NKP 765), colorful "Bees" (KCS), "Bees" w/ "attitude", to "Bees" that "sting" your eyes, in their own way they have "Bee" on display! Equipment that "Buzzes" with Yellow & Black colors! ("Bees" can still "Bee" entering this "hive"!)
