NEW FREEDOM HISTORY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Ride History: Meet William C. Goodridge Aboard the Northern Central Railway
A one-hour, family-friendly historic-interpretation train ride from New Freedom to Glen Rock and back that pairs a platform talk about William C. Goodridge with an authentic steam-era coach experience.
Ride History: Meet William C. Goodridge Aboard the Northern Central Railway.
Meet William C. Goodridge and hear the stories of his life before boarding an hour-long Northern Central Railway trip along the NCR line to Glen Rock and back; the program pairs an on-platform interpretation with a ride through rolling southern York County countryside aboard restored nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century coaches.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
William C. Goodridge: Barber, Businessman, Conductor of Stories
The program centers on William C. Goodridge—born enslaved in Maryland, later freed in York, Pennsylvania—whose life story the interpreter tells on the station platform before departure. Goodridge rose from barber to successful businessman, built a prominent emporium in York, used his home at 123 East Philadelphia to hide freedom seekers, and owned 13 railcars, one of which reportedly had a secret compartment to move freedom seekers toward Philadelphia and on to Canada.
Authentic Coaches and a Steam‑era Ambience
Passengers ride in restored coaches—options range from the 32-seat D. Reed Anderson combine (with restrooms and handicapped access) to the larger New Freedom and Abraham Lincoln cars—each featuring era-appropriate heating via coal stoves and operable windows that bring the outside in.
A Short Run Through Rolling Hills and Valley Views
The train follows the Northern Central Railway corridor through the rolling hills and peaceful valleys of southern York County, paralleling and occasionally crossing the South Branch of the Codorus Creek on its run to Glen Rock and back.
What the day feels like
How the trip feels
Start on the New Freedom station platform with a first-person account of Goodridge’s life, then board restored coaches for an hour-long round trip to Glen Rock where the interpreter continues interacting with passengers—an intimate, interpretive outing that blends social history with the tactile details of vintage rail travel.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits best
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience lasts one hour; please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to check in at the Gift Shop and receive your boarding pass.
Dress in layers: coaches feature coal stoves for heat and operable windows for ventilation depending on season. Bring any personal items you need for a one‑hour outing.
The D. Reed Anderson coach houses two restrooms; other coaches offer period-appropriate seating and open windows for fresh air.
Check in at the Gift Shop at the New Freedom station to receive your boarding pass; seating is assigned by coach and capacities vary by car.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the William C. Goodridge On the NCR Experience?
The program is one hour in duration.
Where do I check in for the train?
Please visit the Gift Shop at New Freedom to check in and receive your boarding pass.
When should I arrive before departure?
Guests are asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.
Where does the train go?
The train runs along the Northern Central Railway line to Glen Rock and returns to New Freedom.
Are restrooms and accessible seating available?
The D. Reed Anderson coach includes two restrooms and is handicapped accessible; coach assignments determine available facilities.
Who was William C. Goodridge?
William C. Goodridge was born enslaved in Maryland, later freed in York, Pennsylvania; he trained as a barber, became a wealthy businessman who built a major emporium, used his home at 123 East Philadelphia to hide freedom seekers, and owned 13 railcars—one reported to have a secret compartment to transport freedom seekers toward Philadelphia and on to Canada.