Steam into History
Reporting mark | SIH |
---|---|
Locale | York County, Pennsylvania |
Dates of operation | June 2013–present |
Predecessor | Northern Central Railway |
Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
Headquarters | New Freedom, Pennsylvania |
Website |
steamintohistory |
Steam into History (reporting mark SIH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which operates a Civil War themed heritage railroad based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. A reproduction 4-4-0 steam locomotive hauls passengers over 10 miles of Northern Central Railway track between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania.[1]
The operation held its grand opening on June 1, 2013.[2]
Historical Significance of the Northern Central Railway
The Northern Central Railway was a vital transportation artery during the American Civil War. The line ran between Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Baltimore, Maryland providing a direct north-south route in which federal troops and supplies were shuttled to the southern-most reaches of Union territory. The railroad’s strategic importance was understood by the Confederates and as such it was targeted by rebel troops during Robert E. Lee’s Invasion of the North in June 1863.[3] Railroad bridges, rolling stock, and telegraph lines along the Northern Central right-of-way were ruthlessly destroyed by the advancing rebel army.[4][5]
The railway was pressed into military service shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, transporting wounded troops to distant metropolitan hospitals in York, Baltimore, and Harrisburg. Several months later, President Abraham Lincoln and other dignitaries traveled over the line on their way to commemorate the Soldier’s National Cemetery at Gettysburg where Lincoln delivered his now famous address.[6][7] The president and company boarded their private train in Baltimore and journeyed north over Northern Central tracks to Hanover Junction where they changed trains to continue West. The depot at Hanover Junction where Mr. Lincoln changed trains still stands today and is on the National Register of Historic Places.[8] Much of the surrounding countryside has remained relatively unchanged since Lincoln’s historic journey.
Operations
Steam Into History operates a 2 1/2 hour excursion from New Freedom, PA to Hanover Junction and return, and a short 1 hour trip from New Freedom to Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.[9] Motive power is provided by 4-4-0 steam locomotive the “York”, a faithful reproduction of a typical American Standard engine common on North American railroads in the mid to late 19th Century. “York” was custom built by the Kloke Locomotive Works LLC from late 2010 to Spring 2013.[10][11] Its design was based on O’Connor Engineering blueprints for the replica Union Pacific No. 119 and Central Pacific “Jupiter” locomotives (both engines currently reside at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah).[12]
The Steam into History train typically consists of two passenger coaches and, when in season, an open air car. In keeping with its 1860s theme, the otherwise anachronistic open air coach has been constructed to resemble a wooden livestock car. During each excursion, volunteers in period wardrobe offer historical commentary for passengers. Their narration provides insight into the importance of the railroad and its neighboring communities during the Civil War years and thereafter.[13] Special events planned for train rides throughout the year, such as musical entertainers and character reenactments, help support and compliment the historical atmosphere of the railroad.[14]
Steam into History's two-hour excursion terminates at the Hanover Junction Depot where a brief layover provides an opportunity to explore the station museum.
Equipment
Locomotive Roster
No. | Class | Engine | Builder | Built | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 | 4-4-0 | Steam | Kloke Loco Works LLC. | 2013 | Custom built for SIH based on blueprints for Golden Spike replica engines. Sports a bonnet smoke stack complete with Spark arrestor commonly used on wood burning engines of the period. The York, however, burns oil instead of wood for both economic and practical reasons. Painted in NCRR livery. |
10 | 44 ton | Diesel | General Electric | 1946 | Built for the Coudersport & Port Allegany Railroad. Purchased by the Stewartstown Railroad in 1972 for freight service between Stewartstown and New Freedom, PA. Currently leased from STRT as a backup locomotive and temporarily re lettered NCRR. |
Current Rolling stock roster
- Coach 150, owned by SIH.
- Combine 840, owned by SIH.
- "Four Seasons Car" 127, owned by SIH. Designed for conversion between coach and open car.
- Flat Car, no reported number. Possible conversion to open air car in near future, owned by SIH.
Past Rolling stock
- Coach 702, loaned from the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad.
- Coach 213, loaned from the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad.
- Open Air Car 101, loaned from the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad.
Both 702 and 213 served as the main passenger consist from June 1 to September 29, 2013 while SIH's coach and combine were constructed by the Reader Railroad.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
- List of Pennsylvania railroads
- Northern Central Railway
- Hanover Junction, Hanover and Gettysburg Railroad
References
- ↑ http://www.ydr.com/history/ci_23006408/steam-into-history-train-coming-soon
- ↑ http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_23355969/first-steam-into-history-trip-departs-new-freedom
- ↑ http://www.pacivilwartrails.com/stories/tales/target-hanover-junction
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/1863/06/28/news/rebel-invasion-occupation-carlisle-enemy-retirement-our-forces-harrisburgh.html
- ↑ http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/the-parks/heritage-rail-trail-park/hanover-junction-museum.html
- ↑ http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-1BB
- ↑ http://www.nycivilwar.us/hanjunc.html
- ↑ http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMBM2_Hanover_Junction_Railroad_Station
- ↑ http://www.gettysburg.travel/visitor/member_detail.asp?contact_id=132935
- ↑ http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_22409275/yorks-civil-war-era-train-closer-completion
- ↑ http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-06-13/news/bs-md-backstory-railroad-20130613_1_reader-railroad-engine-york-county
- ↑ http://www.ydr.com/gettysburg150/ci_18995870
- ↑ http://www.eveningsun.com/rss/ci_20779939?source=rss
- ↑ http://steamintohistory.com/excursions
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steam into History. |
- The official Steam Into History website
- Kloke Locomotive Works (webpage chronicling York 17 construction)
- York County Tourism Board
- Fox 43 news coverage of Steam Into History
- York County webpage for Hanover Junction Depot
- York's Civil War-era train closer to completion
- Restoring Historic Stretch of Railroad