New Freedom, PA
Northern Central Railway of York
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-11- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationNew Freedom, PA
- Rating4.7 ★903 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
About Northern Central Railway of York
Northern Central Railway of York is a nonprofit heritage railroad based at the historic New Freedom station. Its excursions travel the former Northern Central route through southern York County behind replica 1860s steam locomotive No. 17 or other assigned equipment. The calendar ranges from short Glen Rock trips and longer Hanover Junction or Howard Tunnel excursions to bike-aboard, food, family, history, and seasonal programs.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupSteam, scenery, and history visitors
Steam train excursions
The operator describes three core route lengths: a one-hour Glen Rock trip, a 2.5-hour Hanover Junction trip, and a 3.5-hour Howard Tunnel trip. Confirm the selected date's advertised motive power before booking.
Rail-trail cyclists
Bike Aboard
One-way train rides pair with the Heritage Rail Trail. Current route descriptions cover New Freedom to Hanover Junction, New Freedom to Brillhart, and Brillhart to New Freedom, with bicycles carried in a restored gondola.
Families and seasonal visitors
Family and seasonal trains
The 2026 calendar includes Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, Christmas Elves, Santa, Wild West, and other family programs, each with its own route and age guidance.
Adult and special-occasion outings
Food, drink, and mystery trains
Published products include English High Tea, wine and cheese, ales, whiskey murder mystery, and other themed departures. Use the individual booking page for age limits and inclusions.
Schools, groups, and private events
Private charters and group visits
The organization offers group excursions and private-event options; contact the railroad directly for current arrangements.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe source-checked booking calendar currently publishes excursions from August 14 through December 20, 2026. January 2027 was checked and had no published dates; check the official calendar for later additions
- Trip LengthTrip length depends on the excursion. The operator describes Glen Rock as about one hour, Hanover Junction as about 2.5 hours, and Howard Tunnel as about 3.5 hours round trip
- ArriveBike Aboard asks riders to arrive 20 minutes early. Other products can publish different instructions, so follow the selected ticket page
- ParkingSmall public lots are near the station, with street parking along Front Avenue and North Front Street. Accessible parking spaces are directly behind the Historic New Freedom Train Station
- AccessibilityA mobile lift is available only at the Historic New Freedom Train Station and boards the D. Reed Anderson car. It cannot be used at layover stops. The operator says that car can hold a wheelchair up to 23 inches wide; other named cars require two or three steps and have narrow aisles. Contact 717-942-2370 before booking if the accessible car is unavailable online
- WeatherExcursions run rain or shine. If the railroad cancels, it says affected guests will be contacted to rebook
- RestroomsAccessible restrooms are at the New Freedom station. Onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. The D. Reed Anderson car has two restrooms accessible from the other cars
- Good ForSteam and Civil War history visitors, families, rail-trail cyclists, photographers, food-and-drink outings, and visitors choosing among one-hour, half-day, and themed programs
- ContactPhone: 717-942-2370. Public email: info@northerncentralrailway.com
Find the Depot
The Trains
The railroad's signature locomotive is No. 17, a modern replica of an 1860s American-type steam locomotive built by Kloke Locomotive Works and delivered in 2013. Its federally required 1,472-service-day inspection and rebuild was completed in December 2025. The collection also includes EMD GP9 No. 6076, which the operator says is undergoing cosmetic restoration. Passenger equipment varies by excursion and includes the D. Reed Anderson car with a mobile-lift boarding position at New Freedom.
History
The nonprofit organization was incorporated.
The organization entered a lease agreement with York County for excursion operations.
Replica steam locomotive No. 17 arrived, and the railroad held its public grand opening on June 1.
The railroad purchased EMD GP9 No. 6076.
The organization adopted the Northern Central Railway of York name.
The railroad completed No. 17's federally required 1,472-service-day inspection and rebuild in December.
See full history
The nonprofit was incorporated in 2006 to preserve and interpret the region's Northern Central railroad history. A York County lease agreement followed in 2010, replica steam locomotive No. 17 arrived in 2013, and public operations began with a June 1 grand opening that year. The organization acquired GP9 No. 6076 in 2018 and adopted the Northern Central Railway of York name in 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Northern Central Railway depart?
Excursions depart from the Historic New Freedom Train Station at 117 North Front Street, New Freedom, Pennsylvania 17349, unless the selected product says otherwise.
How long is the Northern Central Railway ride?
It depends on the route and product. The operator describes Glen Rock as about one hour, Hanover Junction as about 2.5 hours, and Howard Tunnel as about 3.5 hours round trip.
Is Northern Central Railway wheelchair accessible?
A mobile lift is available at New Freedom only and boards the D. Reed Anderson car, which the operator says can hold a wheelchair up to 23 inches wide. The lift is not available at layovers. Call 717-942-2370 before booking if that car is not offered online.
Are there accessible restrooms?
The New Freedom station has accessible restrooms. Onboard restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
Does the train run in the rain?
Yes. The operator says trains run rain or shine and will contact guests to rebook if it cancels an excursion.
Can I bring a stroller, food, or a pet?
Strollers are not permitted onboard and can be stored at the station. Snacks and secure-lid nonalcoholic drinks are allowed. The operator permits service dogs, not pets, on regular excursions.
Are tickets refundable?
The operator says ticket sales are nonrefundable, though exchanges or rebooking may be possible under its published policies.
Will steam locomotive No. 17 pull my train?
Only when the selected booking specifically advertises No. 17 or steam power. Motive power varies by excursion; confirm the product page if a particular locomotive matters.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 11, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
