easy
2–3 hours
Suitable for all fitness levels as the activity mainly involves sitting comfortably on the train and walking briefly during the museum stop.
Experience a 2.5-hour vintage train ride through historic southern York County, with a visit to Hanover Junction Museum and a scenic boxed lunch.
All Ages • 2.5 Hours • Historical Landmark • Lunch Included! • 1880s Coach Cars •
Step back in time on a captivating 2.5-hour train excursion through southern York County, tracing the historic route taken by President Lincoln to Gettysburg. Enjoy stunning views, a 20-minute stop at the Hanover Junction Museum, and a complimentary boxed lunch, all while riding in beautifully restored vintage coaches.
2 Hours 30 Minutes
Outside your window is the beautiful Heritage Rail Trail County Park and southern York County countryside on this trip to Hanover Junction. This excursion will take you back to the 1860s when President Abraham Lincoln rode these tracks on his way to Gettysburg to deliver the Gettysburg Address. The excursion includes a 20-minute stopover at the Hanover Junction Museum.
**All tickets include a choice of a complimentary boxed lunch with bottled water, homemade chips, and a cookie.
Please note: boxed lunches must be ordered in advance.
*Beverage service is available on this excursion including wine, beer, mixed drinks, and soft drinks.
D. Reed Anderson Car
!Anderson 2 With a seating area for passengers as well as a storage area for baggage, the aptly-named combine car was important to railroads in the late nineteenth century. Our combine car, the D. Reed Anderson coach, holds special meaning as it is named for one of Northern Central Railway of York’s co-founders. Patterned after an 1880s-era combine car, this coach can seat up to 32 passengers, and is available for public seating as well as small group private seating. When constructing this coach, special attention was paid to restoring 1920s-vintage Hale and Kilburn cushioned walkover seats, which can be reversed to face the direction of travel. The D. Reed Anderson houses two restrooms and is handicapped accessible. Like our other passenger cars, this coach features coal stoves and operable windows for all-season use.
Abraham Lincoln Car
!Lincoln2
The Northern Central Railway will forever be connected with President Abraham Lincoln, who rode these rails to and from delivering the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Sadly, less than two years later, on April 21, 1865, the nine-car Lincoln Funeral Train would use these tracks when traveling from Baltimore to Harrisburg and beyond. Our Abraham Lincoln car incorporates the look and feel of an 1870s passenger coach. The vibrant car embraces Victorian motifs and features plush green seats that can be reversed to face the direction of travel. Like our other passenger cars, the Abraham Lincoln coach incorporates authentic nineteenth -century heating via coal stoves as well as operable windows to bring the outside in and provide fresh, cool air.
New Freedom Car
!New Freedom 1
Named for the home base for the Northern Central Railway of York, the New Freedom replicates the appearance of a standard passenger coach from the 1860s. In true Victoria Era fashion, the lavish car features a colorful interior, with plush red seats that can be reversed to face the direction of travel. With seating for up to 56 passengers, the New Freedom coach incorporates authentic 19th century heating and cooling-coal stoves to heat the car during the cold months and open windows to cool the car during the warm season. As for the car’s namesake, New Freedom was incorporated in 1873 and named for the Free family. The borough houses both our engine house as well as our passenger station – the historic New Freedom Railroad Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
South Branch Car
!South Branch
The tracks of the Northern Central Railway wind through the rolling hills and peaceful valleys of southern York County, paralleling and occasionally crossing the South Branch of the Codorus Creek. South Branch also happens to be the name of our 1860s-era open-air coach, which offers a unique riding experience. With seating for up to 36 passengers, the layout of the coach features cushioned seats in the center of the car, facing outward on each side to provide spectacular views of quaint towns and picturesque countryside. During the warmer months, the large windows are open to allow refreshing airflow, while in the colder months the windows are closed to retain the warmth courtesy of an era-appropriate coal stove. Wicker chairs provide additional seating options for passengers.
Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure to ensure smooth boarding and find comfortable seating.
The vintage coaches can be breezy even on warm days, so packing a light jacket will keep you comfortable throughout the ride.
Windows open at certain stops allow for great photo moments—bring a camera or smartphone ready to capture the scenic views.
The stop at Hanover Junction Museum is limited to 20 minutes, so keep track of time to fully enjoy the exhibits before reboarding.
Hanover Junction played a critical role during the Civil War as a strategic railway hub connecting Baltimore to Gettysburg.
Northern Central Railway emphasizes sustainable tourism by preserving historic railcars and promoting awareness of local heritage.
Capture scenic views and historic moments throughout the journey.
Keep comfortable against cool breezes in vintage train coaches.
spring specific
Stay hydrated during warmer weather, especially if exploring outside the train.
summer specific
Navigate the museum stop and platform areas safely with ease.