Railroad station museum

Hanover Junction Train Station Museum

About 8.3 mi from New Freedom

A free seasonal museum in the restored Civil War-era junction station where Confederate raiders cut communications and Abraham Lincoln changed trains on his Gettysburg journey.

The place

About Hanover Junction Train Station Museum

Hanover Junction was built by the Hanover Branch Railroad in 1851–52 and served as a transfer point with the north–south line that became the Northern Central. Its location made the small station strategically important during the Civil War.

Confederate cavalry raided the junction on June 27, 1863, cutting telegraph wires and burning nearby railroad bridges while leaving the station standing. Abraham Lincoln passed through on November 18 and 19 while traveling to and from the dedication at Gettysburg; his funeral train later used the corridor in 1865.

York County restored the station in 2001 to a Civil War-era appearance. Today the seasonal museum uses artifacts and interpretive displays to explain the junction, wartime traffic, and Lincoln connection, while active excursion track and the Heritage Rail Trail continue through the site.

What stands out

A photographed Civil War junction

Surviving 1863 images let visitors compare the busy wartime site with the restored station.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg route

The station interprets Lincoln’s transfer while traveling to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

Museum and ride in one stop

Longer Northern Central excursions can place visitors directly at the historic station.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Northern Central Railway of York trip

Hanover Junction is a destination on Northern Central Railway’s longer excursions, so the museum can be part of the ride rather than a separate detour. Layover time varies by product, and docent availability governs whether the interior is open; confirm both the train itinerary and county museum schedule.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • 2026 museum seasonYork County publishes April 25–October 4 hours: Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Docent caveatThe county says museum hours depend on docent availability. Check before relying on an open interior during a train layover.
  • AdmissionThe official 2026 station-museum flyer lists admission as free.
  • Train pairingOnly excursions whose route reaches Hanover Junction create an onsite train pairing. Shorter Glen Rock trips do not.
  • AccessibilityNo current official museum-building access statement was found. Ask York County Parks about the entrance, interior, and restrooms; train boarding access is a separate operator question.
  • Active tracks and trailThe rail trail runs beside active excursion track. Use designated crossings, look both ways, and never walk on the rails.

Departure-station history

Add New Freedom Train Station Museum

Begin or end at the free seasonal freight museum sharing Northern Central Railway’s historic New Freedom departure building.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Is Hanover Junction Train Station Museum free?

Yes. York County’s 2026 station-museum flyer lists free admission.

When is the museum open?

The 2026 season is April 25–October 4, Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.–3 p.m., subject to docent availability.

Does every Northern Central train visit Hanover Junction?

No. Longer Hanover Junction and some Howard Tunnel routes reach the site; shorter products may turn earlier. Read the selected trip description.

Did Abraham Lincoln visit Hanover Junction?

Yes. York County identifies the station as a stop on Lincoln’s November 1863 journey to and from Gettysburg.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

A current official museum access statement was not found. Call York County Parks about the building and the railroad separately about train boarding and layover constraints.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-11. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.