Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club

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Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club

The Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club is an association of railway motorcar enthusiasts dedicated to pre Overview:

The Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club, Inc.

began in the summer of 1992 when a group of New England rail car owners joined with a group of local railroad enthusiasts in Wolfeboro, NH. Together they obtained permission from the State of New Hampshire to operate rail cars and to maintain the former Wolfeboro Railroad including structures. The club also refurbished the former Fernald Station (Map), which is now used as the Club’s meeting place

. This collection of railway motorcar enthusiasts and volunteers have joined together to preserve railroad property and equipment relating to the use of railway motorcars and have kept alive the skills and experiences of the railroad workers who once used these vehicles in maintaining railroad lines around the world. The Club currently maintains 17 miles of rail owned by the State of New Hampshire. The two rail-lines are the Wolfeboro-Sanbornville, NH branch line, no longer used by the railroad and known as the Cotton Valley Trail, and a portion of the Ossipee Branch between Rt. 28 and Rt.16. In September 2014, the Club became a NARCOA Affiliate. Railcars:

Railway motorcars are small four wheeled motorized vehicles designed to ride on railroad tracks. They were used by railroad employees to perform various maintenance tasks on the railroad property, such as track work, bridge inspection, and signal repair. They evolved from human powered pump cars in the early 1900s and were eventually replaced in the 1960s by hy-rail vehicles (pickup trucks with small railroad wheels). Railcars were manufactured by several corporations during their heydey. Cars manufactured by the Fairmont Railway Motor company are the most common today. The Hobby:

Hobbyists sometimes search for old railcars to refurbish. Once a motorcar is located, they either repair them to running condition or restore the cars to their original production floor condition. CVRTC members enjoy all facets of this hobby, from helping each other find railcars to lending a hand in restoring the cars and then running them.\

National Organization:

The North American Rail Car Operators Association (NARCOA) is a national organization which encourages safe and responsible operations in Canada, Mexico and the USA, by providing safety rules, operator certification, etc. NARCOA members become certified operators by studying the NARCOA operator's safety manual and by passing a written test administered by NARCOA. The Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club is a NARCOA affiliate, and some members are active in both organizations. Location/Operations:

CVRTC members regularly operate their motorcars on the Wolfeboro to Sanbornville, NH rail line. CVRTC is based at Fernald Station at the crossing with Governor John Wentworth Highway, Rt 109. The station is located approximately 3 miles East of downtown Wolfeboro, NH on Route 109. Responsibility:

Trespassing is both illegal and dangerous. All railroads are private property. Do not operate on any track without explicit permission from the railroad owner. CVRTC will assist all local, state and federal authorities in the prosecution any motorcar operator found trespassing. Safety:

Railroads are inherently unsafe places. Club members strive to operate in a safe fashion and encourage others to do the same. CVRTC supports all railroad and law enforcement organizations in the effort to prevent unauthorized motorcar use. Visit the CVRTC Safety Page for more information on safe motorcar operation. Welcome:

CVRTC welcomes novices who are just learning about the hobby. If this hobby sounds interesting to you, please contact one of the following CVRTC officials...
Bruce Stuart, President
Jesse Mazzie, Vice President
Ken Belovarac, Membership Secretary
Dave Kotsonis, Treasurer

Join CVRTC! To join CVRTC, Print the form on the Membership page.

06/06/2026

Thanks to this gang for giving rides at the Seashore Trolley Museum, helping to raise donations for the B&M 500, and promote the hobby.

The crew from Cotton Valley Rail Trail Club volunteering at Seashore today with their Speeders.

06/01/2026

Special thanks to Steve Berry for removing two trees blocking the Cotton Valley Rail Trail east of Cotton Valley Parking Lot.

04/23/2026

Apple Watch found

Apple watch found on the Valley rail near the Cotton Valley parking lot. If yours, please text 603-860-8678.

02/02/2026

12/09/2025

New Ipswich, NH - Kathleen Joan (Lynch) McInerney died on Thursday, November 28th, 2025 following complications from cancer. She passed away at home, surrounded by close family. Kathy was predeceased by her husband, Sean Patrick McInerney. She was also predeceased by her parents, Joan (McQuade) Lynch and Thomas Lynch of Princeton, MA. She leaves her daughter, Sarah Boland and her son Jonathan McInerney. She is survived by her younger sister, Patricia (Lynch) Little and her brothers, Daniel Lynch, James Lynch, and Brian Lynch.

Kathy grew up in Princeton, where she spent her early years lifeguarding and later working as a ranger at Mount Wachusett. It was during those years at the mountain that she met the love of her life, Sean, who worked at the ski area. Together they built a life that grew to include their son Jonathan, and soon after their daughter Sarah.

Kathy centered her life around her family; she was a dedicated and caring mother who poured herself into creating a loving home. So many memories revolve around her quiet resolve and her selfless acts of service. Every so often that quiet resolve would blend with that unmistakable Lynch stubbornness. Yet, no matter what kind of chaos her children or husband might conjure up, she met it with unwavering patience.

Those who knew Kathy will remember her gentle and reserved nature. She was soft-spoken yet endlessly kind, with a tendency to see the good in everyone she met. She laughed easily, and Sean was always making her laugh, a foundation of their lifelong bond.

In the spaces she kept for herself, she enjoyed refinishing furniture and immersing herself in a good book. Guided by a lifelong Catholic faith and content with a simple life, she carried a peaceful, inner strength that anchored those around her.

The family will be holding a private Catholic funeral at Sacred Heart in Greenville, NH.

Next spring a celebration of life will be held for both Kathleen and her husband Sean to bring together all of the people touched by their lives. Invitations will be sent out once arrangements have been made.

KIn lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 15 High Street, Greenville, NH 03048, to support their food pantry and help local families in need.

Send a message to learn more

11/19/2025

Cotton Valley Trail Committee, Inc
Volunteers invited to assist in replenishing stone dust from Center Street to Fernald. We have tractors moving the stone dust we need help raking and tamping.
Thursday, November 20: 9 to 12: Trail Crossing/Hodge Shore Rd. Meet at Hodge Shore Road
Please let me know if you can help us. Thank You

11/13/2025

Thank you to the crew that worked yesterday on the Cotton Valley Rail Trail! Next work day Thursday at Nov 20 at 9 am. Come join us improve the Trail!

11/07/2025

Come help on the Cotton Valley Rail Trail
Trail Volunteers needed on these 4 days….
* Today, Friday, November 7, 9:30 to 12;
Trail Crossing/Clark Road, Brookfield

*Wednesday, November 12: 9 to 12;
Trail Crossing/Hersey Point Road, Park at Albee Beach

*Thursday, November 20; 9 to 12:
Trail Crossing/Whitten Neck Road,

*Thursday, December 4; 9 to 12: another Tractor needed
Trail Crossing/River Road, Park at Mast Landing

We are replenishing stone dust from Center Street to Fernald and Clark Road to Route 16. We have tractors moving the stone dust we need help clearing leaves, raking and tamping.
Please let me know if you can help us. Thank You

11/02/2025

Cotton valley Trail Committee needs Volunteers!
Nov 6 & 7, this Thursday & Friday: 9:15 to noon
Meet at Clark Rd, Brookfield at Trail crossing.
Stone dust replenishment.
Frank Frazier is bringing his tractor. We would love another tractor! Let us know if you can help either day or both!

10/17/2025

Cotton Valley Trail Committee, Inc. started stone dust replenishment between Albee Beach and Sand Box Lane. Great crew making a difference: Dave Wing, John Amrich, Mike Pepin, Bob Sterndale, Trish Duffy, Kathy Rankin and Dave Denby! CVTC will be repen*shing stone dust between Center St and Fernald Crossing over the next several weeks. Please thank all the volunteers improving the Trail.

Address

64 Governor Wentworth Highway
Wolfeboro, NH

Opening Hours

10am - 2pm

Website

http://www.cottonvalley.org/

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