Middletown, PA
Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
4.5· 154 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-13- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationMiddletown, PA
- Rating4.5 ★154 Google reviews
- UpcomingThu, Aug 13
About Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is both an active short-line freight carrier and the operator of the Milk & Honey passenger trains. Excursions board at the 1891 Brown Street station in Middletown and use vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches for an 11-mile round trip along Swatara Creek and remnants of the Union Canal. Live narration covers the canal, railroad, and local stories; themed trips range from basic rides and ice-cream outings to dinner, pumpkin, foliage, and holiday trains.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupCore passenger experience
M&H Express
A basic narrated ride in vintage coaches along Swatara Creek and the Union Canal towpath, with the route and duration defined by the selected 2026 departure.
Longer narrated excursion
Dillinger Express
A premium ride named for founding member Wendell J. Dillinger, scheduled for two remaining August departures in the current calendar.
Short ride and street-running interest
Keystone Station to Station
A 45-minute ride through Middletown toward Amtrak, then along Swatara Creek before returning to the M&H station.
History-focused ride
Swatty Flyer
A 70-minute narrated ride focused on local history, the Union Canal, and the railroad, with two remaining August dates in the operator's brochure.
Food, family, fall, and holiday trips
Seasonal and dining trains
The remaining 2026 catalog includes ice cream, high tea, murder mystery, pumpkin, foliage, Santa's Surprise, and after-dark Polar Bear products with distinct durations and access limits.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026 special-event calendar
These dates come directly from the operator. USA Train Rides adds trip-planning details only when they are backed by reviewed sources. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe source-checked 2026 schedule has remaining rides from August 13 through November 7, followed by Santa's Surprise and Polar Bear Express departures from November 28 through December 20. Product dates and ticket availability are not identical; confirm the selected date in FareHarbor
- Trip LengthThe regular M&H Express is about 45 minutes in the 2026 brochure, while the Milk & Honey overview describes an hour-long 11-mile round trip. Other products range from 45 minutes to about 2.5 hours; use the selected trip's booking page
- ArriveReservations are required for all rides. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding; trains leave on time and will not wait for late passengers
- ParkingUse the passenger-station address at 136 Brown Street. The 2026 brochure marks ADA parking at the gift shop/passenger station but does not publish lot capacity or a parking fee
- AccessibilityThe operator says the train is not ADA accessible. Motorized wheelchairs do not fit through coach doors; manual wheelchairs no wider than 26 inches including bumpers can be accommodated. Call 717-944-4435 before booking. Station ramps and modern ADA restrooms do not establish accessible train boarding
- WeatherTrains normally operate in all kinds of weather. Cancellations are rare and made with local authorities and the National Weather Service; allow extra travel time and watch for operator updates
- RestroomsModern restrooms are inside the gift shop and station and should be used before or after the ride. The historic onboard restroom is for emergencies only; sanitized portable toilets may be added during peak season
- Good ForFamilies, canal and central-Pennsylvania history visitors, vintage-coach fans, diesel short-line enthusiasts, dinner-train guests, fall outings, and holiday trips
- ContactPassenger services and ticket agent: 717-944-4435. Tickets should be purchased only through the official booking links or by phone; the operator warns against social-media resale scams
Find the Depot
The Trains
The operator says a 1955 General Electric diesel is the primary tourist locomotive. Its 1956 Alco S6 and 1969 Alco T6 may occasionally pull passenger trains but generally work freight, while Canadian National 2-6-0 steam locomotive No. 91 is currently out of service. Passengers ride in Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches built from 1916 through 1920; the railroad reserves the right to substitute equipment as operating conditions require.
History
Local businessmen formed the original Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Company.
Construction of the line between Middletown and Hummelstown was completed.
The present Middletown station was built as a freight station; it was later converted for passenger use.
The current independent M&H began operating the seven-mile line and its freight service.
The railroad began tourist passenger service.
See full history
Local businessmen formed the original Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Company in 1888 and completed the line between the two boroughs in 1890. The route then operated under the Philadelphia & Reading and Reading Company until 1976. The current independent M&H began freight operation that year and added tourist passenger service in 1986. Today the seven-mile line still connects with larger rail networks while carrying visitors from its converted 1891 freight station.
Around the Depot
Begin at the Brown Street station: the gift shop, porch, vintage coaches, and active short-line yard are integral to the visit. Then follow the route’s geography toward Indian Echo Caverns, the closest substantial family stop, or continue into Hershey for an accessible industry museum. Cards are ordered by approximate distance from the Middletown depot; generic chains and unrelated Hershey attractions stay out of the editorial set.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
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Rent a Car
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Tours & Activities near Middletown
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Middletown & Hummelstown train ride?
It depends on the product. The 2026 brochure describes the basic M&H Express as about 45 minutes, while the route overview calls the full Milk & Honey trip an hour-long 11-mile round trip. Themed rides range from 45 minutes to about 2.5 hours.
Do I need a reservation for the M&H Railroad?
Yes. The operator says all rides and events require reservations. Buy through the official FareHarbor links or call 717-944-4435, and arrive at least 30 minutes early.
Is the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad ADA accessible?
The operator explicitly says the train is not ADA accessible. Motorized wheelchairs do not fit through coach doors; manual wheelchairs up to 26 inches wide including bumpers can be accommodated. Call before booking.
Are accessible restrooms available?
The station and gift shop have modern ADA restrooms. Use them before or after the ride; the historic coach restroom is for emergencies only.
Does steam locomotive No. 91 operate?
No. The operator currently lists Canadian National 2-6-0 No. 91 as out of service. A 1955 General Electric diesel normally powers tourist trains, with Alco diesels possible as operating needs require.
Do M&H trains run in bad weather?
Usually. The railroad says weather cancellations are rare and are decided with local authorities and the National Weather Service. Allow extra travel time and check for updates.
Are pets allowed on the train?
No pets are permitted on the train under the current ride rules. Contact the ticket agent if you need to discuss a trained service animal.
Why is a brochure date not available to book online?
The operator's 2026 brochure can publish a planned departure before FareHarbor inventory opens, and availability can change. Treat the brochure as the schedule announcement and the live catalog as the current booking status; call 717-944-4435 when they differ.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 13, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 schedule brochure
- Official FareHarbor product catalog
- Official Milk & Honey route, station, duration, restroom, and weather overview
- Official ride rules, arrival, access, restroom, reservation, and ticket-scam guidance
- Official address and directions
- Official history and equipment roster
- Official freight and interchange information
- Wikimedia Commons M&H licensed-media category
- Wikimedia Commons Union Canal licensed-media category