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I Steamed into History!!
12 years ago
Hey all! As I'm sure you can tell by my recent submissions, I rode the Steam into History train hauled by America's Newest Steam Locomotive, the "York"!
As I believe I mentioned in my previous journal I barely caught a glimpse of the train, and from the rear, while on my up to my aunt's house for the memorial this weekend. Well once I got there I decided to do some digging and low and behold the York and train is based out of New Freedom, PA and it was less than 30 minutes from my aunt's!! So I did some talking with my mom and we were able to work out a time to go. I bought the tickets online so all we had to do was pick them up when we got there.
There are two trains that Steam into History schedules. The most popular being the train to Hanover Junction, where President Lincoln passed through on his way to deliver the famed Gettysburg Address. However that train was sold out the day prior and so I had to book tickets for their other train to Glen Rock, roughly the half way point from New Freedom to Hanover Jct.
Although we almost missed it! My mom got caught up with some issues with her airline boarding pass and we left a half hour later than we wanted to. We got to New Freedom 4 minutes shy of departure and thankfully there was a lady there who had our tickets in hand! So once we took our seats aboard the train both my mom and I let out a sigh of relief. The both of us were looking forward to the trip as it had nearly been a year since we last saw each other. It was good to actually spend some time together.
It's an interesting operation. On runs that go to Hanover the train steams tender first and pulls the train to Hanover Jct. Once there the locomotive will switch to the lead end and haul the train back to New Freedom in a more traditional manner. As for the Glen Rock Train the York pushes the train backwards, as there is no means to run the locomotive around the train. So when we departed Glen Rock the train steamed forward in the traditional sense.
The Glen Rock Train is a 1 hour round trip and an enjoyable one. It was a surprisingly scenic line and the old time atmosphere of the train and ride itself only enhanced the experience. Our Car host was dressed in period clothing and the conductor... somewhat was. He had a lot of Pennsylvania RR memorabilia on him, including his conductor's hat. Which is all well and good, but this is supposed to be the Northern Central Railroad! XD
Although he was packing a Colt model 1861 Army on his hip, so that was cool! I have a photo of him and our Car Host, I'll upload those shortly.
I remember passing through the areas, by road, that the train traveled. My Great Uncle Bill used to live in Glen Rock so I was used to going through the area. Such as the sleepy little town of Railroad, PA. And yes, that IS the town's actual name. I had also been to New Freedom a long long time ago when I was much younger. Things had changed so much in the 10+ years it has been since I was last there. All those towns used to be tired and sleepy, run down even. The York replica and the Steam into History train is more than just another train ride and tourist attraction. This train alone has boosted the entire economy of the local area! Buildings that were once abandoned are now being refurbished and renovated! Inns, hotels, and Bed & Breakfasts are opening up all over the place! And many of them right by the tracks too! Steam into History has been running the York and train since July of this year, 2013 and every train has either been sold out or nearly full! And My trip to ride was no different! And for $20 a person it's a fantastic deal!! This one attraction is a blessing to the area and a Godsend for the historical and railroad community.
And I would like to give a sincere Thank You to all those there who make that operation possible. For they are a non-profit organization run by volunteers! If you ever find yourself to be in the New Freedom area, PLEASE take the time to visit Steam into History and the York replica! Take a rid on it if you can!
And before I draw this journal to a close, here are some videos I uploaded onto YouTube. Apologies for the lack of quality, I don't have the best camera. But I'm sure you will enjoy the clips all the same!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM2y1Lyp-84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZm6p550_bc
Gotta' LOVE that whistle!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-rDqinQ1AU
As I believe I mentioned in my previous journal I barely caught a glimpse of the train, and from the rear, while on my up to my aunt's house for the memorial this weekend. Well once I got there I decided to do some digging and low and behold the York and train is based out of New Freedom, PA and it was less than 30 minutes from my aunt's!! So I did some talking with my mom and we were able to work out a time to go. I bought the tickets online so all we had to do was pick them up when we got there.
There are two trains that Steam into History schedules. The most popular being the train to Hanover Junction, where President Lincoln passed through on his way to deliver the famed Gettysburg Address. However that train was sold out the day prior and so I had to book tickets for their other train to Glen Rock, roughly the half way point from New Freedom to Hanover Jct.
Although we almost missed it! My mom got caught up with some issues with her airline boarding pass and we left a half hour later than we wanted to. We got to New Freedom 4 minutes shy of departure and thankfully there was a lady there who had our tickets in hand! So once we took our seats aboard the train both my mom and I let out a sigh of relief. The both of us were looking forward to the trip as it had nearly been a year since we last saw each other. It was good to actually spend some time together.
It's an interesting operation. On runs that go to Hanover the train steams tender first and pulls the train to Hanover Jct. Once there the locomotive will switch to the lead end and haul the train back to New Freedom in a more traditional manner. As for the Glen Rock Train the York pushes the train backwards, as there is no means to run the locomotive around the train. So when we departed Glen Rock the train steamed forward in the traditional sense.
The Glen Rock Train is a 1 hour round trip and an enjoyable one. It was a surprisingly scenic line and the old time atmosphere of the train and ride itself only enhanced the experience. Our Car host was dressed in period clothing and the conductor... somewhat was. He had a lot of Pennsylvania RR memorabilia on him, including his conductor's hat. Which is all well and good, but this is supposed to be the Northern Central Railroad! XD
Although he was packing a Colt model 1861 Army on his hip, so that was cool! I have a photo of him and our Car Host, I'll upload those shortly.
I remember passing through the areas, by road, that the train traveled. My Great Uncle Bill used to live in Glen Rock so I was used to going through the area. Such as the sleepy little town of Railroad, PA. And yes, that IS the town's actual name. I had also been to New Freedom a long long time ago when I was much younger. Things had changed so much in the 10+ years it has been since I was last there. All those towns used to be tired and sleepy, run down even. The York replica and the Steam into History train is more than just another train ride and tourist attraction. This train alone has boosted the entire economy of the local area! Buildings that were once abandoned are now being refurbished and renovated! Inns, hotels, and Bed & Breakfasts are opening up all over the place! And many of them right by the tracks too! Steam into History has been running the York and train since July of this year, 2013 and every train has either been sold out or nearly full! And My trip to ride was no different! And for $20 a person it's a fantastic deal!! This one attraction is a blessing to the area and a Godsend for the historical and railroad community.
And I would like to give a sincere Thank You to all those there who make that operation possible. For they are a non-profit organization run by volunteers! If you ever find yourself to be in the New Freedom area, PLEASE take the time to visit Steam into History and the York replica! Take a rid on it if you can!
And before I draw this journal to a close, here are some videos I uploaded onto YouTube. Apologies for the lack of quality, I don't have the best camera. But I'm sure you will enjoy the clips all the same!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM2y1Lyp-84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZm6p550_bc
Gotta' LOVE that whistle!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-rDqinQ1AU
I get one someday it will use coal
Though considering her configuration I think converting her to wood would best, as she already has a wood burning stack.