NRHS Baltimore Chapter Secretary Cynthia Atwood enjoyed a memorable weekend of steam railroading and American history during the Northern Central Railway’s Semiquincentennial celebration, June 27–28, 2026, in New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
The two-day celebration commemorated America’s 250th anniversary with historic train excursions, living history presentations, and special appearances by “President Abraham Lincoln”.
Saturday’s adventures began aboard the Glen Rock Express, traveling through the scenic York County countryside behind the railway’s replica steam locomotive, the William H. Simpson No. 17. President Lincoln even joined passengers for the journey! After a lunch break, the day’s railroading continued in Gettysburg with an excursion aboard the Gettysburg Railway, which began offering passenger excursions in 2025.
On Sunday, it was back aboard the Northern Central Railway for a trip to historic Hanover Junction, an important railroad crossroads during the Civil War. The station has a special connection to Abraham Lincoln, who traveled through the area in November 1863 on his way to deliver the Gettysburg Address. During the excursion, a Lincoln reenactor brought history to life with a recitation of the famous address.
The weekend offered a wonderful combination of steam-powered nostalgia, scenic rail travel, and living American history.
A great experience for railroad enthusiasts and history buffs alike—and even better for those who happen to be both!
