The people who work to make this Railway come alive do a magnificent job! Just one event was so special and extraordinary for my family and taught history in such an exciting way which is so important to have these opportunities outside of a school setting. What they do here is the exact thing that INSPIRES and makes people have fun, long-lasting memories with their families. I only found this nonprofit a short time ago and now I want to attend every single one of their all-age friendly events. The staff has so much passion including great acting that brings history alive in addition to preserving the central railway! Love the community behind this wholesome, historic magic!
Great historic and Scenic train ride! For the best experience, ride when the steam locomotive is running. It truly brings out the historical aspect of the experience.
We have taken my daughter on a train ride here several times this year. She is 3 and loves train rides. Even with the Covid mess she still very much enjoys this. The staff is wonderful and we can’t wait to go back over and over again.
I started volunteering in 2016 and really appreciate how the NCR keeps York County history alive. Telling the tales of the railroad history as well as the local towns, villages and people along the way brings the valley to life! Incredible works of manual labor, political intrigue, our Civil War and a devastating flood all retold as the train ventures further north. I am happy to play my small part and look forward to the railway's future growth.
AS a volunteer since October 2013, I have seen the organization grow from celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and Mr. Lincoln's ride on our line to the cemetery dedication that fall of 1863. Now the line offers trains robberies with the James / Younger gang, the holiday Tannenbaum runs to the Christmas tree farm at Seitzville, Santa sing-a-longs, And talks about the local history that this railroad line has seen in the part 182 years of it's history. And you can't but notice the pride our volunteers have telling our Northern Central Railway history and sharing with our riders.
Steam Into History offers a fantastic way to explore local, regional and national history -- all on one train line! In addition, themed rides are offered that include gorgeous Fall foliage. Ghost stories, and Holiday trains. Steam into History is located along a rail trail, adding to its charm and contribution to the local, active community.
We rode the Steam train to Hanover Junction with the Lancaster Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Great ride through the valley of the South Branch of the Codorus Creek. Starts in New Freedom then travels to Railroad, Seitzland, Glen Rock, Centerville, Larue and Hanover Junction on the Northern Central rails, former Pennsylvania Railroad, that linked York, Pa. with Baltimore, Md.
As a family with children who have a large age gap its not always easy to find activities that interest them both but every excursion at the Northern Central offers something fun and educational for all ages to enjoy. On our latest visit aboard the Seitzland Express, we learned all about the local small towns we passed, the roles they played in the Civil War, how local farmers helped with the building of the railway and so much more. After we returned to the station the amazing staff took the time to share their train knowledge and patiently answer all our young sons' endless questions which made his entire day. We highly recommend visiting.
They run a great operation and it’s loads of fun! I have been a living history volunteer for one of the events they run, very safe and well organized, will definitely be back.
It has become a family event for their Christmas train and tree cutting excursion. The whole day is magical and really make the Christmas season feel more like it should. Definitely try it.