Where do I check in for the Wine & Cheese Express?

Check in at the Gift Shop located at 117 North Front Street New Freedom, Pa.; arrive 30 minutes before boarding.

How long is the ride?

The round-trip experience lasts approximately two hours.

Is there an age restriction?

This experience is 21 plus as noted in the event headline; Designated Driver tickets are available for non-drinkers.

Are accessible seating options available?

Yes— the D. Reed Anderson Car is handicapped accessible and features restroom facilities.

How do Membership holders book half-price tickets?

Membership holders should call 717 942 2370 Ext 102 to secure half-price tickets.

Wine & Cheese Express: Vintage Train Wine Tasting from New Freedom to Hanover Junction | Wine | Winery

Q: Are food and drink included?

Guests receive five wine tastings, a souvenir glass, and a mini charcuterie board provided by Ale Craft Brewery; a full glass of your chosen wine is served on the return.

On a bright afternoon in southern York County, the Wine & Cheese Express Aboard the 1800 Coach Cars featuring Lavender Acres Winery runs a relaxed two-hour round trip from New Freedom to Hanover Junction. Board at the Gift Shop at 117 North Front Street New Freedom, Pa. and settle into restored nineteenth-century style coach cars where coal stoves and operable windows set the tone. You will taste five wines selected from eleven options courtesy of Lavender Acres Winery, receive a souvenir glass, and enjoy a mini charcuterie board provided by Ale Craft Brewery. Designated Driver tickets include water, soft drinks, and snacks, letting groups share the experience without worry. The rail corridor parallels the South Branch of the Codorus Creek, threading past rolling hills, farmland, and small towns; those landscapes frame every pour with pastoral calm. Riders can choose the D. Reed Anderson Car for reversible 1920s Hale and Kilburn cushioned seats, the Abraham Lincoln Car for Victorian motifs and history, the New Freedom Car for classic passenger comfort, or the South Branch open-air coach for wide views and photography opportunities. Practical details are straightforward: arrive thirty minutes early to check in, plan roughly two hours for the outing, and note Membership holders should call 717 942 2370 Ext 102 to book half-price tickets. The experience suits small groups, couples, and mixed-age parties, offering accessibility in the D. Reed Anderson coach and relaxed pacing. What lifts this trip above a typical tasting is the way heritage railcars and local producers combine to create an occasion: winding tracks, preserved interiors, and Ale Craft Brewery snacks make the journey part of the flavor. Photography seekers will favor golden hour rides for low angle light on coach details and creekside reflections. For travelers based in York, or passing through Gettysburg or Harrisburg, this two-hour excursion is an accessible way to meet Hellam Township’s Lavender Acres Winery without driving. It is social, memorable, and rooted in place. Climb aboard, choose a pour, and let a vintage coach turn wine tasting into a moving local history lesson with a view. The staff aboard focus on friendly, efficient service, answering questions about the route, the winery, and coach histories. Seating arrangements accommodate groups while preserving sightlines, and souvenir glasses make a compact memento. Bring a jacket for creekside breezes, and consider a designated driver if you plan additional tastings after the ride. The Wine & Cheese Express is part sightseeing, part tasting, and entirely local: a short, well-crafted escape that pairs railroad heritage with bottle and board, leaving riders with a glass, a story, and countryside memories worth returning for. Plan ahead for daylight rides, reserve early on weekends, bring a light jacket, and enjoy.

About Northern Central Railway

Northern Central Railway, based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, operates heritage train excursions on the original Northern Central Railroad corridor. The railway offers a variety of themed rides aboard restored vintage coaches and locomotives, including steam locomotive No. 85 and historic PRR GP9 diesel power. Trips range from short family excursions to multi-hour historic journeys, with highlights such as the Wild West Express reenactment of Jesse James–era robberies, the Hanover Junction Specials retracing President Lincoln's route to Gettysburg with a stop at the Hanover Junction Museum, seasonal outings like the Pumpkin Patch Express and Oktoberfest Ales on the Rails, and family favorites including the Sundaes on Sunday Express and Pirates and Pixies Adventure Express. Many excursions include on-board narration, scenic travel along the Heritage Rail Trail, and curated stops at historic sites. The railroad emphasizes preservation of railroad heritage through restored equipment and educational experiences that connect communities across southern York County. Vehicles and onboard experiences are maintained by experienced volunteers and staff who follow safety and conservation practices. Tickets, schedules, and trip details are published for each event, and proceeds support continued preservation and operation of historic rail equipment. Northern Central Railway partners with local organizations and museums to provide authentic historical context on select excursions. For visitors, the railway provides accessible parking in New Freedom, clear trip descriptions, and family-friendly amenities, making it a reliable choice for history enthusiasts, families, and railfans seeking authentic heritage train experiences.
Advance reservations are recommended for popular seasonal and special event excursions online.