With the mission of delivering historical, educational and entertaining experiences on an excursion railroad, the Northern Central Railway operates over 10 miles of the previous incarnation that Abraham Lincoln rode on the way to deliver his Gettysburg Address, and also the route of his funeral train two years later. This history is brought to life by a narrator, sometimes accompanied by re-enactors and musicians. Motive power is often 4-4-0 No. 17, an accurate replica of an 1869 Rogers Locomotive Works engine. An ex-Pennsylvania Railroad EMD GP9 diesel-electric locomotive shares duties.
Choices
The Northern Central Railway has offerings that include excursions to Seitzland, Glen Rock, Hanover Junction, and Seven Valleys ranging from 45 minutes to 3 hours round trip and sometimes include layovers to explore the original Hanover Junction station, completed in 1852.
When to go
Trains operate on weekends from late March through December, and also on certain weekdays as indicated on the website, which also shows the days of steam operation. The railroad offers a wide variety of themed rides, including Tannenbaum Christmas Tree Trains which allow passengers to harvest their own trees, and Santa Express Trains. Other seasons feature such options as Wild West Express Train Robbery and Sunday Brunch Excursions to a historic local inn.
Good to know
York County abounds in Civil War history, with Gettysburg and Gettysburg National Military Park only 35 miles from New Freedom.
Worth doing
Those wishing to explore more of the Northern Central, on foot or by bicycle, can walk or ride the 21-mile Heritage Rail Trail, which extends from the Mason-Dixon Line (just south of New Freedom) north to York.
Don’t miss
The fall is an especially busy time on the railroad and an attractive time to visit. There are multiple departures, including pumpkin rides and fall foliage trips.
Getting there
New Freedom is 18 miles south of York. Northern Central Ry. is 4 miles from the I-83 Shrewsbury exit. From there, take 851 west into Shrewsbury, turn left on Main Street, follow it for several miles, and turn right in New Freedom on Constitution Avenue. Then turn right on Main Street and go just past the tracks.
Location: 117 North Front Street, New Freedom, PA
Phone: 717-942-2370
Website: northerncentralrailway.com
E-mail: info@northerncentralrailway.com
