NEW FREEDOM TRAIN FIELD GUIDE
Riding Lincoln’s Route: A Living‑History Journey from New Freedom to Hanover Junction
A 2½‑hour recreated 1863 rail ride by the Northern Central Railway with a living historian portraying Abraham Lincoln and a narration of the Gettysburg Address—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan your visit.
Riding Lincoln’s Route: A Living‑History Journey from New Freedom to Hanover Junction.
From New Freedom, Pennsylvania, the Northern Central Railway stages a living‑history reenactment of President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 rail journey to Gettysburg. Living historian Lew A. Welge performs as Lincoln, providing period context and a recitation of the Gettysburg Address while the train follows rails once used by both Lincoln and the 1865 funeral train.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Lincoln’s Ride and the Gettysburg Address
The program recreates Lincoln’s November 1863 trip on the Northern Central Railway and connects that journey to the later use of the same line by the 1865 funeral train, anchored by a period performance that includes a recitation of the Gettysburg Address.
Restored Nineteenth‑Century Coaches
Passengers travel in restored period cars—each styled to evoke a different late‑19th‑century coach—with options ranging from the handicapped‑accessible D. Reed Anderson combine to the plush Abraham Lincoln and New Freedom coaches.
Scenic Southern York County
The line winds through rolling hills and peaceful valleys along the South Branch of the Codorus Creek, offering passengers a sense of the rural landscape Lincoln’s train traversed.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
The ride is a compact, interpretive rail experience in which visitors check in at the New Freedom gift shop, board restored nineteenth‑century coaches, listen to a living‑history portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, and travel the same corridor associated with Lincoln’s journey to Gettysburg and the later funeral train.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits—and who should take precautions.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Visit the Gift Shop at New Freedom to check in and receive boarding passes; plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to boarding.
The experience runs approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Coaches are restored with period heating and operable windows for seasonal comfort; the D. Reed Anderson contains two restrooms.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Lincoln & The Hanover Junction Railroad Experience?
The program lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Where do I check in for the train?
Check in at the New Freedom gift shop to receive your boarding passes; arrive 30 minutes before boarding.
Is the train suitable for all ages?
Yes—materials identify the program as suitable for all ages.
Are there accessibility considerations?
The D. Reed Anderson coach is handicapped accessible, but Hanover Junction does not have a wheelchair lift; passengers who wish to exit there must be able to climb six steps without crew assistance.
Are restrooms available onboard?
Yes—among the coaches, the D. Reed Anderson houses two restrooms.
What can I expect in terms of interpretation?
A living historian portrays Abraham Lincoln and presents context about the 1863 ride and the Gettysburg Address during the trip.