North Fork Spur Line, Thoreau Falls Trail – Located along the Thoreau Falls Trail, deep in New Hampshire’s 45,000-acre Pemigewasset Wilderness, is an interesting piece of East Branch & Lincoln Railroad history. In operation from 1893-1948 and originally owned by James E. Henry, this was a logging railroad in the towns of Lincoln and Franconia.
Just before the North Fork Branch of the railroad crossed the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River at North Fork Junction, a spur line branched off the railroad. It crossed the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and ended at a work area. In 2009, remnants of the trestle (above) were still visible at the crossing.
I descibe this spur line in my book, the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad (2018), “It traveled northwest off the mainline, crossing the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River just below the confluence of the North Fork and East Branches of the Pemigewasset River. It then traveled north alongside the North Fork of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River for about three quarters of a mile, eventually ending in a landing/work area.” The railroad track and switches remain along this spur line!
A weather event, damaging or washing out the trestle at the start of the spur line, is likely the reason why the railroad track remains along this spur line today. There were a few weather events during the 1920s that could have damaged the trestle; the November 1927 flood is probably the event that did it. The Parker Young Company, owners of the railroad from 1917-1946, more than likely decided that it was not worth rebuilding the trestle just to retrieve railroad track.
The end of the spur line, seen above in 2009, is flooded, and the railroad track is underwater. One year, during drought conditions in the summer months, this swamp was dried up, and the railroad track was visible.
The East Branch & Lincoln Railroad is the greatest logging railroad ever to operate in New England. And today, artifacts from this railroad remain in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Take only pictures, and don't forget that disturbing historical sites or removing historical artifacts from federal lands is a violation of federal law.
Interesting links:
August 1907 Owl's Head Fire
Cable Car, Wilderness Trail
East Branch & Lincoln Railroad Book
Happy image making..
© Erin Paul Donovan. All rights reserved | Historic Information Disclaimer | White Mountains History
To license any of the photographs above for usage in print publications, click on the photograph.
Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC
Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.
Thank you, again, for sharing vital information. It’s very important to connect to our past. Your work is meaningful.
Hi Mj,
I am glad you enjoy my work. The East Branch and Lincoln Railroad era is a fascinating part of White Mountains history. It is my favorite logging railroad.