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Maine Central freight YR-2 crosses Mount Willard Bridge, known to railroaders as The Girders, on an early morning in December 1962. The westbound train climbs the steep grade through Crawford Notch on the Mountain Division, high above the valley carved by the Saco River. © Raymond Willard Evans, courtesy of Robert J. Girouard
A Maine Central freight train crosses Mount Willard Bridge, better known to railroaders as The Girders, in Crawford Notch in May 1964. The line climbs a ruling gradient of 1 in 45 (2.2%) from Notchland to Crawford’s Station. The power consist includes two EMD F3s bracketing a pair of EMD GP7s. © Raymond Willard Evans, courtesy of Robert J. Girouard
The rear of a Maine Central freight train, including its caboose, seen near Mount Willard Bridge in Crawford Notch in May 1964. The train, powered by two EMD F3s and two EMD GP7s at the head end, climbs the 1 in 45 (2.2%) grade from Notchland to Crawford’s Station on the Mountain Division. © Raymond Willard Evans, courtesy of Robert J. Girouard
Maine Central freight YR-2 climbs west up Crawford Notch, crossing Mount Willard Bridge, better known as The Girders, in May 1964. The train is powered by two EMD F3s and two EMD GP7s, working without any helpers on the rear. © Raymond Willard Evans, courtesy of Robert J. Girouard
Maine Central freight RY-2, powered by U25Bs no. 253, 569, 257, 262 and 261, climbs through Crawford Notch on 18 October 1968, crossing the Mount Willard Bridge, more popularly known as “The Girders.” The heavy westbound works upgrade through one of the most dramatic stretches of the former Mountain Division, a route known for its steep grades and striking scenery. © Ted Houghton
On 17 September 1975, a Maine Central work extra led by GP7 No. 561 crosses the “Girders” in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, with a short freight trailing. The train is framed against the steep rock face and early autumn foliage characteristic of the Notch. © Gil Ford
Freight train YR-1 crosses the Mount Willard Bridge and passes through the Gateway at Crawford Notch in December 1978 on the Maine Central’s Mountain Division. The deep gorge below contains Dismal Pool, where remnants of an earlier boxcar wreck are said to lie submerged. © Theo Alexander
The railroad bridge in Crawford Notch, known as The Girders, during the so-called fifth season of mud and thaw on 18 April 2009. Lumps of snow that have fallen from above lie scattered across the line, with a small tree down across the track. © Robert J. Girouard Collection
On 1 October 2010, autumn colours surround the Mount Willard trestle of the Conway Scenic Railroad in Crawford Notch. Water from recent heavy rain cascades down the rock face, with waterfalls streaming across the cliffs above the bridge. © David Brossard
On 2 August 2017, Conway Scenic Railroad GP38 No. 252 descends east through The Girders after departing Crawford Station, high above the valley carved by the Saco River. The line clings to a narrow ledge cut into the mountainside, with sheer rock faces above and boulders scattered far below, a vivid reminder of the challenges faced by the Maine Central when it built this route through Crawford Notch. No. 252 worked this territory for the Maine Central before finding a new life with the Conway Scenic, where it remains a regular on the Notch Train returning to North Conway. © Thomas Coulombe
With the Gateway overlook crowded with visitors, photographer Chuck Killian chose a different angle on 23 October 2021, capturing Conway Scenic Railroad’s train crossing The Girders at Willey Brook Bridge. The subdued tones of late autumn and the rugged mountain backdrop give the scene a natural, weathered character that perfectly reflects the atmosphere of Crawford Notch. © Chuck Killian
The 470 RR Club trip is in the books. Congratulations to everyone involved, especially the volunteers who brought GP9 1741 back to life. November 2024. © Kyle Petrin
Conway Scenic Railroad GP38s 252 and 255 cross The Girders just below the Gateway to Crawford Notch on 11 January 2025. Having departed Crawford’s, the Snow Train begins its descent down the mountain toward North Conway, the two former Maine Central units working together through the deep winter snow of the White Mountains. © Vincent Colombo
Conway Scenic Railroad GP38 No. 252 leads No. 255 across Mount Willard Bridge above Dismal Pool at Hart’s Location, Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, October 2025. © Bob Innella
GP38s 255 and 252 take the 9 am Mountaineer across the Girders above Dismal Pool on 11 October 2025 as they make the last climb to the summit at Crawford Notch. Both units are back on home rails after long careers on the former Maine Central Mountain Sub, with 252 having led the final through freight in 1983. © Dave Blaze
Boston & Maine GP9 no. 1741 leads Conway Scenic Railroad’s annual 470 Club excursion over “The Girders” in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, en route from North Conway to Fabyan’s on 1 November 2025. © John Kittredge
◀ Westbound to The Great Fill | Mount Willard Bridge | Eastbound to Mount Willard Section House ▶