NEW FREEDOM TRAIN FIELD GUIDE
Fall Special Hanover Junction Flyer: A 2.5‑hour diesel-hauled journey through Southern York County aboard Locomotive 32
A concise field guide to the Northern Central Railway excursion to Hanover Junction, including the 20-minute museum stop, vintage coaches, and included boxed lunch.
Fall Special Hanover Junction Flyer: A 2.5‑hour diesel-hauled journey through Southern York County aboard Locomotive 32.
Outside your window the Heritage Rail Trail County Park and the rolling countryside of southern York County unspool as Locomotive 32 pulls you along historic rails once traversed by Abraham Lincoln; the two-and-a-half-hour Fall Special Hanover Junction Flyer pairs scenic vistas with a 20-minute stop at the Hanover Junction Museum and a boxed lunch provided by New Freedom Roasting Co. & Deli.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Diesel Locomotive No. 32 and a living rail line
The excursion is powered by Locomotive 32 and follows the historic Northern Central Railway corridor, offering a tangible connection to the 1860s rails President Lincoln traveled.
Hanover Junction Museum stop
A scheduled 20-minute stop at the Hanover Junction Museum gives passengers a brief on-the-ground look at local rail history and the junction that links the excursion to Lincoln’s journey.
Vintage cars—choose your era
Passengers select from several restored coaches—the D. Reed Anderson combine, the Abraham Lincoln coach, the New Freedom car, or the open-air South Branch—each modeled on nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century designs with reversible seating and era-appropriate heating and ventilation.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
You board at the New Freedom facilities, settle into period seating and watch farm fields, small towns and the Heritage Rail Trail County Park slide by as the train makes its way to Hanover Junction; the outing lasts roughly two and a half hours and includes a boxed lunch and a museum stop that punctuates the countryside ride.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this excursion suits—and when to think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding and check in at the Gift Shop to receive boarding passes.
A complimentary boxed lunch from New Freedom Roasting Co. & Deli is included with tickets; choices (turkey, ham or garden salad) must be ordered in advance.
Coaches feature operable windows and era-appropriate heating; select an open-air South Branch coach for a more exposed view when available.
Membership holders should call or email the operator to secure discounted tickets; beverage service (including alcohol) is available onboard.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do I check in for the train?
Check in at the Gift Shop to receive your boarding passes prior to boarding.
When should I arrive?
Passengers should arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding.
Is lunch provided?
Yes. All tickets include a complimentary boxed lunch from New Freedom Roasting Co. & Deli; boxed lunches must be ordered in advance.
Can passengers with limited mobility disembark at Hanover Junction?
No. The wheelchair lift is not available at Hanover Junction; passengers who wish to exit must be able to climb six steps without crew assistance.
Are there beverage options onboard?
Beverage service is available on the excursion, including wine, beer, mixed drinks and soft drinks.
How long is the trip?
The excursion lasts approximately two and a half hours.