◀ Westbound to Nancy Brook Bridge | Sawyer’s River | Eastbound to Fourth Iron Bridge ▶
Nestled in the scenic wilderness of Harts Location, New Hampshire, Sawyer River Station boasts a rich history tied to the logging industry and railroading. From 1877 to 1928, the 8-mile-long Sawyer River Railroad operated here, connecting the station to the historic logging town of Livermore, NH. While the Maine Central (MEC) agency closed in 1921, two historic structures—the section men’s car house and the foreman’s dwelling—survive as private properties today. This picturesque site continues to captivate rail enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the past amid the natural beauty of the White Mountains.
Section Foreman:
1888-1891 George Rich
1894-1902 John Stevens
1902-1903 Leslie Smith
1903-1905 George Murch
1905-1911 Merville Murch
1912-1927 John McCann
1927-1954-Robert Gardner
Closed 1954
Sawyer River Station 1908 © Robert J. Girouard Collection
Mt. Tremont from the Sawyer River Station: This captivating photo postcard captures the Sawyer River Railroad diverging on the right, leading towards the historic logging town of Livermore, N.H., nestled along the banks of the Sawyer River. On the left, a Sawyer River Railroad train is visible, engaged in what appears to be an interchange with the Maine Central Railway. The locomotive featured in the foreground is identified as “C.W. Saunders,” a sturdy 0-4-0 engine crafted by the Portland Company in 1876, tragically wrecked in 1920. The postcard itself bears a postmark from April 30, 1919, and originates from the esteemed J. Fred Howorth Livermore, N.H. collection, graciously preserved by Robert J. Girouard. Fred Howorth, renowned as a clerk at the Livermore logging company store, is duly acknowledged in the caption, adding a personal touch to this historical snapshot. © Robert J. Girouard Collection
Sawyer River Station. The logging line is on the left. The town of Livermore, NH, is long gone, and logging operations have ended. Just west of Sawyer’s River station, looking east toward the Bartlett Haystack in the distance. The photograph shows two long sidings and, faintly visible ahead, Fourth Iron bridge. From an album depicting scenes between Intervale and Crawford Notch, early 20th century. © Unknown The Sawyer River station around 1924. The track curving right once led to the abandoned logging town of Livermore, New Hampshire, home of the Sawyer River Railroad. © Unknown Sawyer River Section House © Raymond W. Evans Collection. Sawyer River station in the late 1930s. © Unknown Sawyer River Station with a southbound plow extra, MEC Railroad 2-8-2 locomotive, and a combine used as a caboose on 21st April 1952.
Sawyers River Section Dwelling, View Facing West. © Allan Houghton
Sawyers River Section Dwelling, View Facing East. © Allan Houghton
Sawyer River Station, on 27th August 1963. Sawyer River, 4th October 1963. RY-2, Rigby (Portland, Maine) to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with EMD GP7 #561 leading GP7 #565, F3B units #672B and #671B, and F3 #671A at Sawyer’s River, New Hampshire, 3 April 1965. © Ted Houghton . Sawyer River on the way to the Notch, 1965. © Bruce Davison Collection. Pushers returning to Portland on 6th February 1966. © Russ Munroe MEC 406 approaches Sawyers River station in 1976. © Dane H.G. Malcolm Maine Central GP38 No. 254 switches at Sawyers River, New Hampshire, while the caboose stands on the main line. The scene captures the early Guilford era on the Mountain Division. © Dane H.G. Malcolm Conway Scenic Railroad’s daily Notch Train heads south past the Sawyer’s River section house in Hart’s Location, New Hampshire. © AJSaint Photography Sawyer River Station, Harts Location, NH, 23rd October 2021. Capturing the eastbound 470 Railroad Club extra with Boston and Maine F7 4266 and Maine Central GP7 573, leading nine cars through a tunnel of fall leaves. The historic site includes remnants of the Sawyer River Railroad and structures dating back to the late 1800s. © Dave Blaze New ties have been laid in the Sawyer River siding and await both rails and ballast as part of ongoing maintenance on the Mountain Division. © Mike Lacey Conway Scenic No. 1751 pauses on the siding at Sawyer River while reballasting work continues. The track has been relaid but still awaits tamping to complete the job. © Mike Lacey Conway Scenic No. 1751 stands on the Sawyer River siding alongside a caboose on the main line, during track renewal work at the west end of the siding. © Mike Lacey ◀ Westbound to Nancy Brook Bridge | Sawyer’s River | Eastbound to Fourth Iron Bridge ▶
