Northern Central Railway of York facts for kids
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New Freedom, Pennsylvania |
| Reporting mark | NCRA |
| Locale | York County, Pennsylvania |
| Dates of operation | June 2013–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
The Northern Central Railway of York (reporting mark NCRA) is a special heritage railroad in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. It's a non-profit group that brings history to life. They focus on the American Civil War era. A copy of an old steam locomotive pulls passengers. It travels about 10 miles on the original Northern Central Railway tracks. The journey goes between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania. This train ride first opened on June 1, 2013, and was called Steam into History. In 2019, it changed its name to the historic Northern Central Railway.
Contents
A Railway's Role in the Civil War
The original Northern Central Railway was super important during the American Civil War. It was like a main highway for trains. The line connected Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland. This created a direct path from north to south. Federal troops and supplies used it to move to the southern parts of Union land.
The Confederate army knew how important this railroad was. So, during Robert E. Lee’s invasion in June 1863, they attacked it. Rebel troops destroyed railroad bridges, train cars, and telegraph lines. They caused a lot of damage along the Northern Central tracks.
President Lincoln's Journey
The railway was used for military purposes right after the Battle of Gettysburg. It carried wounded soldiers to hospitals in York, Baltimore, and Harrisburg. These cities were further away and had better medical care.
A few months later, President Abraham Lincoln traveled on this very line. He was going to honor the Soldier’s National Cemetery at Gettysburg. There, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. The president and his group boarded their special train in Baltimore. They rode north on the Northern Central tracks to Hanover Junction. There, they switched trains to continue west.
The old train station at Hanover Junction is still standing today. It's where Mr. Lincoln changed trains. This station is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Much of the land around it looks similar to how it did during Lincoln’s historic trip.
Riding the Rails Today
The Northern Central Railway of York offers a fun train ride. It's a 2.5-hour round trip from New Freedom to Hanover Junction. At Hanover Junction, you can get off and explore the museum. It's inside the old Hanover Junction Depot. The railroad also has a shorter, one-hour trip. This ride goes from New Freedom to Glen Rock and back.
Meet the 'York' Steam Engine
The trains feature a special 4-4-0 steam locomotive named York. It's a careful copy of a typical American Standard engine. These engines were common on North American railroads in the mid to late 1800s. York was custom-built by Kloke Locomotive Works between 2010 and 2013. Its design was based on plans for other famous replica engines. These include the Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific "Jupiter" locomotives. Both of those engines are now at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah. Kloke also built the Leviathan locomotive. That one now runs in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.
The Northern Central train usually has three passenger cars. One of these cars becomes an open-air car in the summer and fall. During each trip, people dressed in old-fashioned clothes share stories. They explain the history of the railroad and the towns nearby. They talk about how important they were during the Civil War and after.
The railway also plans special events throughout the year. These include musical shows and actors pretending to be historical figures. These events help make the train ride even more fun and historical.
Our Train Fleet
Locomotives We Use
| No. | Type | Engine | Builder | Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 4-4-0 | Steam | Kloke Loco Works LLC. | 2013 | This engine was custom-built for the railway. It looks like old wood-burning engines from the past. However, the York burns oil instead of wood. This is for both cost and practical reasons. It is painted in the NCRR colors. |
| 6076 | GP9 | Diesel | EMD | 1957 | This diesel engine was originally built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. |
| 7580 | GP10 | Diesel | EMD | 1957 | This diesel engine was also built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is currently rented from the Clinton Terminal Railroad. |
| 336A | 0-4-0VBT | Steam | Societe Anonyme de St. Leonard | 1877 | This old steam engine was first used in Belgium. It was later brought to the U.S. in 1964 and named "Prince de Liege." The NCRY bought it in 2017. It is currently being fixed up to run again. |
Passenger Cars We Use
- Coach 150: This is a passenger car owned by the railway.
- Combine 840: This car is also owned by the railway. It combines passenger space with a baggage area.
- "Four Seasons Car" 127: This car is special because it can change. It can be a regular passenger car or an open-air car.
- Flat Car: This car doesn't have a number yet. It might be turned into another open-air car soon.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
- List of Pennsylvania railroads
- Northern Central Railway
- Hanover Junction, Hanover and Gettysburg Railroad
