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Northern Central Railway
NEW FREEDOM, PA
4.7· 903 Google reviews
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About Northern Central Railway
A 10‑mile round‑trip excursion departs from New Freedom, Pennsylvania, traverses historic Northern Central Railway track, and reaches Hanover Junction, where a brief layover allows exploration of the depot museum. The journey is hauled by York, a custom‑built 4‑4‑0 steam locomotive reproduced by Kloke Locomotive Works between 2010 and 2013. Four passenger coaches—including an open‑air car in summer—carry interpreters in period attire who narrate Civil‑War‑era stories throughout the ride.
📍 NEW FREEDOM, PA 17349
History
The heritage railroad opens as the nonprofit “Steam into History” on June 1 2013 in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, offering a Civil War‑themed excursion service. In 2019 the organization adopts the historic name Northern Central Railway of York, aligning its brand with the original Northern Central line that once linked Harrisburg and Baltimore. These two milestones mark the founding and the first major rebranding of the current operator.
The Trains
The line runs on 10 miles of standard‑gauge track between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania, with additional excursions to Howard Tunnel and Glen Rock. Its motive power is the reproduction 4‑4‑0 steam locomotive York, built by Kloke Locomotive Works between 2010 and 2013, and the roster includes Coach 150, Combine 840, “Four Seasons Car” 127 (convertible to an open‑air car), Gondola 8148 (used for bikes), and Caboose 613, all owned by the Society for Industrial Heritage. Past equipment has featured a 1957 GP9 #7580, a 1946 GE 44‑ton locomotive #10, and several coaches loaned from the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad.
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Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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