Riding The Rails
By Gary Moore
It was a new experience for Linda and me but one I would do again. We were in the village off Silver Lake, New Hampshire riding on a two seat pedal-powered track vehicle called a railbike.
Silver Lake Railriders gives tours on the pedal-powered railbikes on a three mile section of New Hampshire’s rail corridor starting and ending behind the historic Silver Lake Depot.
The route was once operated by the Boston & Maine Railroad and then, for 11 years, by the Silver Lake Railroad much to the delight of tourists.
The six-mile round trip ride passes through woods and wetlands providing opportunities for a wide variety of wildlife viewing.
Several areas flooded by beavers line both sides of the tracks that would be under water were it not for the beaver deceivers installed to control the water level.
Many of the dead trees have large nests used by the blue herons that call the area home. The big birds can be seen standing in the water waiting for a meal to swim by and the occasional beaver may swim by.
Nature preserves line both sides of the route for much of its distance so that habitat for wildlife will be guaranteed for the future.
Hank Walther is the owner of the Silver Lake Railriders which started operation in September 2025. He brings ample experience in rail excursion ventures to the company, having recently served as the initial railbike manager and also a hi-rail operator at the Essex Steam Train in Essex, CT.
He and his partner Lillian Mellow is very much involved in the day to day operations and compliments Hank’s outgoing personality.
The two give a safety briefing before each group leaves the station. Emphasizing that safety and fun are the goal. Seat belts are for each rider and a portable radio is supplied for each railbike so communication can be maintained between the riders and the guides who lead and follow.
Should you not feel up to pedaling the whole way they will tow or push you with one of the motorized rail cars.
The rides are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Average time for the 6 mile trip is an hour and a half, but it depends on how you peddle.
If you like country western music, mention it to Hank and he will be happy to engage in a discussion about the music. He is a piano player who has performed with John Conlee and at the Grand Ole Opry.
Before or after you visit the Silver Lake Railriders I suggest you visit the famed Madison Boulder that I have written about in the past. Measuring 83 feet long, 37 feet wide and 23 feet high, it is a rectangular granite boulder, the largest known glacial erratic in North America.
It is just 3.5 miles north of Silver Lake by road and a great place for a picnic.
For more information about riding the rails or for reservations, go to: https://www.slrailriders.com/ or call 603-662-4346.
Let’s Go Fishing Fly Fishing Course Was Enjoyable And Educational
I spent the first weekend of June taking an introductory fly fishing course offered by New Hampshire Fish and Game as part of the Let’s Go Fishing Program. The course was held at the Coleman State Park in Stewartstown meaning I drove 222 miles and five hours each of the two days but it was well worth the effort. I learned a lot that I hope to use this summer.
The classroom part was held in the park’s Diamond Hall, a spacious and well appointed structure and the actual fishing at Little Diamond Pond which the park borders.
There were 20 of us, many with no experience fly fishing and a few with some. We were all eager to learn and that is what we did thanks to the seven instructors led by Jim Riccardi, who are all volunteers, giving up their weekend to share their knowledge and love of the sport.
With a three to one student to instructor ratio, we had lots of hands on instruction and that was most valuable.
When I told Riccardi I was impressed with the instructors, he said “It is a passion for us.”
Thanks to them there is no charge for the course. Such a deal!
I recommend the Let’s Go Fishing classes as well as those covering other topics such as Becoming an Outdoors Woman. Go to: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/ and click on Education then scroll down to what you are interested in.
There is a fly fishing class this Saturday at Waterville Valley. Check the website to see if there are openings.
Coleman State Park lies on the shore of Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown and offers a variety of options for those who want to camp from tent sites to cabins. Check it out at: khttps://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/coleman-state-park.
It is a pretty location with many opportunities for recreating or simply relaxing.
While fishing we saw a loon swim by, heard others call and also say a bald eagle fly low over the water. What more could one ask for?
Gary and Linda Moore enjoy riding with the Silver Lake Railriders
Gary and Linda Moore enjoy riding with the Silver Lake Railriders
Bits and Pieces
Tune in to WYKR 101.3 FM or 1100 AM on Thursday at 6 p.m. for The Outdoor Edge. Thoughts on the Out-of-Doors airs as a segment of the program on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
My guest will be Dave Govatski and we will be talking about the CCC.
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The Northeast Kingdom chapter of Trout Unlimited invites the public to join them at 2 p.m. Saturday for the unveiling of the Passumpsic River fisherman’s info kiosk.
The kiosk is located right along the river, just off Elm Street between Fred Mold Park and the ball field.
The invite states, “After the brief debut ceremony, why not go fishing? The Passumpsic and the Moose are fishing really well right now, with some real hogs being taken in the trophy stretch.”
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Vermont’s fish and wildlife summer course for educators will be held July 19-24 this year at the Buck Lake Conservation Camp in Woodbury.
“Wildlife Management and Outdoor Education Techniques for Educators is a one-week course taught by Vermont Fish and Wildlife and other Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) staff through Vermont State University, and we still have a few open slots,” says Fish and Wildlife’s Outreach Director Alison Thomas.
Tuition is $710 for the course. Three graduate level credits through Vermont State University, books, food and overnight facilities are included. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.
A course description, schedule of activities and registration information are available by email from Alison.Thomas@vermont.gov.
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With the beginning of summer and anglers fishing from shore, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds people that open fires and swimming are prohibited at all Vermont state fishing access areas.
Swimming at fishing access areas is prohibited due to safety concerns and because the primary uses of the fishing access areas are for launching and retrieving motorboats and for shore fishing.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department maintains 205 developed fishing access areas on lakes and rivers throughout the state. These areas have allowed uses determined by law, and swimming is not one of them.
The access areas were purchased and are maintained with funds derived from the sale of fishing licenses and motorboat registrations, as well as a federal excise tax on fishing equipment, fishing tackle and gasoline for motorboats. These funding sources explicitly prohibit activities that are in conflict with fishing and boating.
“Vermont State Game Wardens will be strictly enforcing the rules at state fishing access areas this summer,” said Col. Justin Stedman, Vermont’s Chief Game Warden.
You can report violations to your local warden or use the anonymous Operation Game Thief online report form on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website. Time-sensitive violations should be called in to a local State Police radio dispatcher who can contact a warden.”
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Winners and alternates of the 2026 New Hampshire Moose Hunt Lottery will be published on the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s website at www.wildnh.com/hunting/moose.html by 12 p.m. on Friday and on the Department’s Facebook page. Be patient: the large increase in web traffic on lottery day often causes downloading delays. A total of 33 moose hunting permits will be issued through the lottery in 2026. Winners will be selected through a computerized random drawing.
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Do you want to learn about fly fishing, fly tying or practice casting? The White River VA volunteers are there to help.
Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary, and all equipment is provided.
Fly casting will take place 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday July 8, Wednesday August 12 and Wednesday September 9, weather permitting.
To learn more about what is offered and when contact Ben Scallse at ben.Scalise@projecthealingwaters.org.
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Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on Sunday, June 21: “The Summer Solstice arrives early this morning at 4:24 a.m., the longest daylight of the year.”
Mark also tells us that on June 17, 1994: “Heat wave set daily records in Burlington and St. Johnsbury, VT; 96 on the 17th, and 97 on the 18th.”
Parting Shots
I love lupines and they are in bloom now. It has taken years but we now have lupines growing in three locations, in front of the house, at the pond and in an old log landing.
Thanks to Orford resident Tom Thompson, a Bradford Academy classmate, who allowed me to pick lupine pods from his lands over several years, we now are seeing the results of all the work.
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I went in our pond for the first time this year on Wednesday. It is spring fed and very cold which is why my brook trout do so well.
Normally I take a very quick dip Memorial Day weekend but it came early this year and I just did not get up the nerve.
Oak, our St. Bernard, has been going in for a month now. He stands shoulder deep and stares at me hoping I will join him as I do most of the warm months. He loves to have me splash water over him and rub his back.
Wednesday the trout, many 12-18 inches, kept bumping into my legs and Oak’s. They were attracted by the disturbance expecting to be fed which takes place in the other end of the pond where it is deeper.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033. copyright 2026 Gary W. Moore