Elizabethtown, PA
Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad
4.7· 18 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-11- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationElizabethtown, PA
- Rating4.7 ★18 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Oct 3
About Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad
The Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad is Stone Gables Estate's full-size heritage train in Elizabethtown. Its narrated route follows a reconstructed portion of an 1838 railroad bed crossed by Abraham Lincoln's funeral train in 1865. The operator's current booking catalog pairs the railroad with seasonal fall, Christmas, and winter programs; a generic excursion page remains online but shows no remaining 2026 availability, so visitors should choose a specifically dated product before traveling.
Photo gallery
See Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad
8 photos
Select any photo to view it larger with its creator, source, and license.
Ways to Ride
Choose the visit that fits your groupFall family train
Pumpkin Patch Express 2026
A 35-minute seasonal train ride paired with pumpkin decorating, fall activities, photo stops, and a weather-dependent petting zoo on four October Saturdays.
See official details →Primary Christmas experience
Santa's Christmas Train 2026
A decorated, narrated holiday train with Christmas music, a visit from St. Nick, and a stop at the animated Santa's workshop in the Engine House.
See official details →Post-Christmas family ride
Winter Wonderland Train
A 20-25 minute post-Christmas excursion with a character visit and an Engine House stop on five published dates through January 2, 2027.
See official details →Lincoln and Civil War history
Lincoln Funeral Car and railroad history
The railroad interprets the 1838 route and displays the full-size replica of the presidential car United States; access to the car depends on the selected excursion.
See official details →Optional same-estate museum
National Christmas Center
A separate onsite museum experience with its own operating dates and ticket; treat it as an optional companion stop, not a railroad event.
See official details →Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026–27 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.
Plan Your Visit
- SeasonThe reconciled 2026 catalog currently lists Pumpkin Patch Express on four October Saturdays, Santa's Christmas Train on 20 dates from November 20 through December 23, and Winter Wonderland on December 26, 28, 29, 30 and January 2, 2027. The generic excursion has no remaining 2026 online availability
- Trip LengthThe generic narrated excursion is about 30 minutes; Pumpkin Patch trains are about 35 minutes, Santa's train experience about 45 minutes, and Winter Wonderland rides about 20-25 minutes. Allow more time for included onsite activities
- ArriveAll reviewed seasonal products require online pre-purchase. Arrive 15-20 minutes early for Pumpkin Patch and Winter Wonderland, and 20 minutes early for Santa's Christmas Train; late arrivals may not be accommodated
- ParkingEnter at 1160 North Market Street and follow event signage to parking near the train site. Santa guests may receive updated parking directions in the reminder email sent before the visit
- AccessibilityAccess is product- and car-specific. The Combine Coach is described as accessible, but the Pioneer Coach and Lincoln Funeral Car are not. Pumpkin Patch lists a wheelchair lift by advance request; the 2026 Santa and Winter Wonderland products state that those excursions are not wheelchair accessible. Call 717-902-9791 before booking
- WeatherFor weather cancellations, monitor the email used to book, the operator's social channels, and 717-902-9791. The seasonal pages say operator-cancelled rides are refunded, with some pages noting a 7-10 day processing window
- RestroomsThe current seasonal product pages say mobile restroom facilities are available near the train platform
- Good ForFamilies, steam and early-railroad fans, Lincoln-history visitors, photographers, fall outings, Christmas trips, and multigenerational groups that can use the selected product's boarding arrangement
Find the Depot
The Trains
The train is led by a full-size, oil-fired 4-4-0 built by Dave Kloke and completed in 2009 as a replica of the 1868 Central Pacific locomotive Leviathan. Stone Gables Estate purchased it in 2018. The passenger consist described by the operator includes replica Pioneer, Day, and Combine coaches, plus the full-size 2015 replica of the presidential car United States. Accessibility varies by product and car: the Combine Coach is described as accessible, while the Pioneer Coach and Lincoln Funeral Car are not.
History
The historic railroad right-of-way now interpreted by the estate was established.
Abraham Lincoln's funeral train crossed this route on April 22.
Dave Kloke completed the full-size operating Leviathan replica.
The full-size replica presidential car United States was completed.
Stone Gables Estate purchased the locomotive and the replica Lincoln Funeral Car.
The estate acquired the newly built replica Pioneer Coach.
See full history
Stone Gables Estate reconstructed part of an 1838 railroad right-of-way that later carried Lincoln's funeral train through the property on April 22, 1865. The modern Leviathan replica was completed in 2009 and acquired by Stone Gables Estate in 2018 along with the 2015 replica funeral car. A replica Pioneer Coach followed in 2019. Today's excursions interpret the railroad corridor, the funeral-train story, the estate, and nearby historic features such as Herr's Mill Covered Bridge and Conoy Creek.
Around the Depot
Begin with the estate itself: Herr's Mill Covered Bridge extends the preservation story, but it is private property and must be viewed through an authorized Stone Gables experience. For a substantial indoor extension, the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia pairs nineteenth-century transportation with the art and mechanics of timekeeping.
Photo by Derek Ramsey via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5Herr’s Mill Covered BridgeSame-estate historic structureOn Stone Gables EstateA reconstructed bridge span on the estate that reuses much of the former 1844 crossing’s truss timber and limestone.Plan this stop →
Photo by Smallbones via Wikimedia Commons · CC0National Watch & Clock MuseumRegional machinery museumRegional side tripA large nonprofit museum connecting decorative art, mechanical engineering, and the history of timekeeping.Plan this stop →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Elizabethtown
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are regular Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad excursions running now?
The generic narrated-excursion booking page shows no remaining online availability for August through December 2026 as of August 11. The operator is selling specifically dated Pumpkin Patch, Santa, and Winter Wonderland train products instead.
Where do train passengers enter Stone Gables Estate?
The current train product pages direct passengers to enter at Brittany's Hope, 1160 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, then follow event signage to parking and the platform.
How long is the train ride?
It varies by product: about 30 minutes for the generic excursion, 35 minutes for Pumpkin Patch, about 45 minutes for Santa's Christmas Train, and 20-25 minutes for Winter Wonderland. Seasonal activities add time to the visit.
Is the Harrisburg, Lincoln & Lancaster Railroad wheelchair accessible?
There is no single answer for every train. The Combine Coach is described as accessible, while the Pioneer Coach and Lincoln Funeral Car are not. Pumpkin Patch advertises a lift by request, but the current Santa and Winter Wonderland listings say those excursions are not wheelchair accessible. Call 717-902-9791 before purchasing.
Do tickets need to be purchased in advance?
Yes for the reviewed 2026 seasonal trains. The operator requires tickets to be purchased online before arrival and asks guests to arrive 15-20 minutes early, or 20 minutes early for Santa's Christmas Train.
Is the locomotive an original Civil War-era engine?
No. It is a full-size operating replica of the 1868 Central Pacific Leviathan, completed by Dave Kloke in 2009 and purchased by Stone Gables Estate in 2018.
Is the Lincoln Funeral Car original?
No. United States is a full-size replica completed in 2015. The operator says the original presidential car used for Lincoln's funeral was destroyed by fire in 1911.
Are horseback rides and National Christmas Center admission train events?
No. They are separate Stone Gables Estate experiences with their own tickets and schedules. This hub lists them only as optional same-estate additions, not as railroad departures.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 11, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official railroad page, equipment roster, route, and replica history
- Official FareHarbor catalog of currently bookable Stone Gables products
- Official generic excursion description and empty remaining 2026 calendar
- Official 2026 Pumpkin Patch dates, duration, access, arrival, and parking
- Official 2026 Santa train dates and visitor policies
- Official Winter Wonderland dates and visitor policies
- Official Stone Gables contact page
- Wikimedia Commons licensed gallery for the exact Leviathan replica