Autumn is the perfect season for going on a serene and scenic train ride through the lush landscapes of South-Central Pennsylvania. In truth, any time is a great time to do so, especially when your ride is with Northern Central Railway.
In just the last decade, North Central Railway has risen to fame and great acclaim as one of the most beloved, anchoring attractions in all of York County, PA. Originally founded as “Steam Into History” the company was rebranded in 2019 in order to expand a broader focus on the myriad of exceptional excursions they offer as well as the multiple forms of locomotion provided.
The new name also covers those special-themed rides that are not necessarily focused solely on history, per se. However, let it be known that the historical elements infused into these traveled routes still stand out among Northern Central Railway’s most prominent features. For instance, the Howard Tunnel, the world’s oldest rail tunnel with still-active rails, actually lies along its tracks. And let’s not forget about its aligning route with the York County Heritage Trail or that President Abraham rode these rails into Gettysburg to deliver the now-famous Gettysburg Address (and also ventured these very same rails back to Springfield, Illinois).
Riders have options to embark on various day trips along Northern Central Railway’s tracks, all spanning different time durations and resulting experiences. There’s the offer of hour-long excursions to Glen Rock, two-and-a-half-hour Hanover Junction journeys, and even a three-and-a-half-hour Howard Tunnel ride. Furthermore, every opportunity immerses you in a truly novel experience, with differing prices and inclusive offerings based on whichever package you choose.
Now let’s consider the host of outings and seasonal events that Northern Central Railway provides guests with throughout the year. There are just so many! As mentioned earlier, autumn is a beautiful time to go on scenic rides. That’s why Fall Foliage Excursions are always a hit with so many. And the good news is that they are being offered throughout most of November.
Various historical excursions take place at certain times throughout the year as well, presented as either a historical narrative drive-through or a featured event complete with an actual costumed character interpreter. In fact, this weekend (November 4 and 5) they’re presenting the Lincoln & The Hanover Junction Railroad Experience with living historian/noted Lincoln interpreter Bob Gleason.
With the holiday season soon underway, guests will get to enjoy three ongoing Christmas-themed excursion events. These include the ever-popular Santa Express Trains nearly every weekend in December, the ongoing Christmas Elf Express starting Thanksgiving Weekend, and a special Glen Rock Carolers event on December 10.
This is just a sampling of the many unique outings and offerings presented by Northern Central Railway of York. You can view an entire calendar lineup for many more occurrences and book your tickets in advance by visiting their online events calendar. Discover for yourself why riding with Northern Central Railway is such a premium experience to take in!
Northern Central Railway of York is located at 117 N. Front Street, New Freedom, PA 17349. Learn more about the company, events, and a host of other exceptional offerings by visiting their website at www.northerncentralrailway.com.