Northern Central Railway of York

The Northern Central Railway of York (reporting mark NCRA) is a non-profit, Civil War themed heritage railroad based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. A reproduction 4-4-0 steam locomotive hauls passengers over 10 miles of Northern Central Railway track between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania.[1] The operation was originally named Steam into History and held its grand opening on June 1, 2013.[2] In 2019 it took up the historical name Northern Central Railway.[3]

This article is about the heritage railroad. For the historic railroad, see Northern Central Railway.
Steam Into History
Overview
HeadquartersNew Freedom, Pennsylvania
Reporting markNCRA
LocaleYork County, Pennsylvania
Dates of operationJune 2013 (June 2013)–present
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length10 mi (16 km)
Other
Websitenortherncentralrailway.com
Route map
Distance
 Station
 to York
14 mi
23 km
 Howard Tunnel
 Seven Valleys
9 mi
14 km
 Hanover Junction
5 mi
8 km
 Glen Rock
to the Stewartstown Railroad
0 mi
0 km
 New Freedom
 Terminus

Historical significance of the Northern Central Railway

The historic Northern Central Railway was a vital transportation artery during the American Civil War. The line ran between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland providing a direct north–south route in which federal troops and supplies were shuttled to the southernmost reaches of Union territory. The railroad's strategic importance was understood by the Confederates and as such it was targeted by rebel troops during Robert E. Lee’s Invasion of the North in June 1863.[4] Railroad bridges, rolling stock, and telegraph lines along the Northern Central right-of-way were ruthlessly destroyed by the advancing rebel army.[5][6]

The railway was pressed into military service shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, transporting wounded troops to distant metropolitan hospitals in York, Baltimore, and Harrisburg. Several months later, President Abraham Lincoln and other dignitaries traveled over the line on their way to commemorate the Soldier’s National Cemetery at Gettysburg where Lincoln delivered his now famous address.[7]

[8] The president and company boarded their private train in Baltimore and journeyed north over Northern Central tracks to Hanover Junction where they changed trains to continue West. The depot at Hanover Junction where Mr. Lincoln changed trains still stands today and is on the National Register of Historic Places.[9] Much of the surrounding countryside has remained relatively unchanged since Lincoln’s historic journey.

Current operations

The Northern Central Railway of York operates a 2+1⁄2-hour round trip excursion from New Freedom to Hanover Junction, where a brief layover provides an opportunity to explore the museum at Hanover Junction Depot. The railroad also operates a shorter, one-hour round trip excursion from New Freedom to Glen Rock.[10]

The trains feature 4-4-0 steam locomotive York, a faithful reproduction of a typical American Standard engine common on North American railroads in the mid to late 19th century. York was custom built by the Kloke Locomotive Works in 2010–2013.[11][12] Its design was based on O’Connor Engineering blueprints for the replica Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific "Jupiter" locomotives (both engines currently reside at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah).[13] Kloke also built the Leviathan locomotive, which now operates in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

17 York

The Northern Central train typically consists of three passenger coaches, one of which is converted to an open air car through the summer and fall. During each excursion, interpreters in period wardrobe offer historical commentary for passengers. Their narration provides insight into the importance of the railroad and its neighboring communities during the Civil War years and thereafter.[14]

Special events planned for train rides throughout the year, such as musical entertainers and character reenactments, help support and complement the historical atmosphere of the railroad.[15]

Steam into History's train facing South towards New Freedom.
The York about to depart Hanover Junction. The locomotive burns oil as an alternative fuel for wood.
Locomotive detailing of York

Equipment

Locomotive roster
No. Class Engine Builder Built Notes
17 4-4-0 Steam Kloke Loco Works LLC. 2013 Custom built for SIH based on blueprints for Golden Spike replica engines. Sports a bonnet smoke stack complete with Spark arrestor commonly used on wood burning engines of the period. The York, however, burns oil instead of wood for both economic and practical reasons. Painted in NCRR livery.
6076 GP9 Diesel EMD 1957 Built for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
7580 GP10 Diesel EMD 1957 Built for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Previously operated by the Colebrookdale Railroad.[16] Currently leased from the Clinton Terminal Railroad.

Current rolling stock roster
  • Coach 150, owned by SIH.
  • Combine 840, owned by SIH.
  • "Four Seasons Car" 127, owned by SIH. Designed for conversion between coach and open car.
  • Flat Car, no reported number. Possible conversion to open air car in near future, owned by SIH.

Past rolling stock

Both 702 and 213 served as the main passenger consist from June 1 to September 29, 2013 while SIH's coach and combine were constructed by the Reader Railroad.

See also

References
  1. "Steam into History train coming soon - the York Daily Record". Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
  2. "First Steam into History trip departs New Freedom Saturday - York Dispatch". Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  3. Laepple, Wayne (10 June 2019). "Steam Into History organization takes up older railroad's name". Trains.com. Laepple. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  4. "Target: Hanover Junction | Pennsylvania Civil War Trails".
  5. "THE REBEL INVASION.; The Occupation of Carlisle by the Enemy. Retirement of Our Forces on the Harrisburgh Fortifications. THE REBELS SLOWLY ADVANCING. Our Position Considered Impregnable. Evacuation of McConnellsburgh by the Rebels. THEIR RETREAT TO CHAMBERSBURGH. The Demonstration Against the Northern Central Railroad. THE REBELS AT HANOVER. Defeat of a Pennsylvania Militia Regiment. THE ADVANCE ON HARRISBURGH. ADVANCE TOWARD THE NORTHERN CENTRAL. EVACUATION OF M'CONNELLSBURGH. THE PENNSYLVANIA MILITIA, ETC. - The New York Times". The New York Times. 28 June 1863. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  6. "Hanover Junction Railroad Station". yorkcountypa.gov. York Country, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  7. "Hanover Junction Historical Marker". explorepahistory.com. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  8. "Hanover Junction, PA".
  9. "Hanover Junction Railroad Station - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  10. "Gettysburg.travel".
  11. "York's Civil War-era train closer to completion - the York Daily Record". Archived from the original on 2013-05-19. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
  12. "Back Story: Restoring historic stretch of railroad - Baltimore Sun". Archived from the original on 2013-07-26. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  13. "York County locomotive build is on track - the York Daily Record". Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  14. Wentz, Jennifer (22 April 2015). "Steam into History: Train robbery loot benefits nonprofit". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania: Gannet. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  15. "Events Archive". Northern Central Railway. New Freedom, PA: Northern Central Railway of York. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  16. "Pictures of PRR 7580". rrpicturearchives.net. Retrieved 2021-10-31.

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