Howard Tunnel Special: Vintage Train Ride with Vortex Pit Sandwich in New Freedom

On a crisp morning in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, the Northern Central Railway departs its historic station for the Howard Tunnel Special, a three- to four-hour, 30-mile round-trip through the Codorus Valley that follows the South Branch of Codorus Creek, offering a relaxed rail perspective on the region’s farmland and ridgelines. A scheduled pause at the stone mouth of Howard Tunnel gives passengers time to step onto the ballast, photograph the darkened portal, and feel the weight of regional railroad history while crew members explain the tunnel’s role in nineteenth-century transport and the line’s later association with President Abraham Lincoln’s journeys. Passengers ride in meticulously restored nineteenth-century coaches including the D. Reed Anderson, Abraham Lincoln, New Freedom, and the open-air South Branch car, each fitted with reversible walkover seats, authentic coal-stove heating, operable windows, and period finishes; the South Branch’s outward-facing benches maximize panorama and fresh-air photography in warm seasonal months. Every ticket includes a Vortex boxed lunch built around the signature Vortex Pit Sandwich — slow-pit roasted meat glazed with tangy‑sweet barbecue and served warm on a soft bun — with a choice of Pit Ham or Pit Turkey, plus chips and a cookie; boxed lunches must be ordered online in advance. Practical details matter: arrive thirty minutes early to check in at the gift shop and collect boarding passes, call 717 942 2370 or email [email protected] for membership discounts, and note the Howard Tunnel stop lacks a wheelchair lift — anyone exiting there must climb six steps without crew assistance for safety and planning. The Howard Tunnel Special is a low-impact access point to the Codorus watershed, converting scenic farmland and creek corridors into an approachable outdoor experience that doesn't require hiking; the railway stitches together small towns, supports local businesses, and preserves nineteenth-century railcraft and community stories while drawing repeat visitors across seasons. Photographers should favor the open-air South Branch car and the tunnel portal for dramatic compositions at golden hour, and keep an eye along the creek for white-tailed deer and great blue herons; operable windows and open-sided benches make candid landscape shots easy while coal-stove warmth adds character on colder runs. Dress in layers to accommodate shifting temperatures between cars and seasons; choose a coach that fits your priorities — the D. Reed Anderson offers restrooms and climate control for comfort, the open South Branch maximizes views, and Victorian-era seating delivers period atmosphere; onboard beverage service complements boxed lunches for a civilized outing. This is a fitting half-day escape for families, history fans, photographers, and anyone seeking a slow, scenic alternative to trail or road; the combination of restored 1800s coaches, the Howard Tunnel stop, and a warm Vortex Pit Sandwich makes the excursion uniquely local and memorable; reserve early; arrive prepared today.