NEW FREEDOM WINE FIELD GUIDE
Lavender, Vintage Coaches, and Rosé: A Two‑Hour Rail Tasting to Hanover Junction
A scenic, two-hour round trip aboard restored 1800-series coach cars that pairs a five‑wine tasting from Lavender Acres Winery with a mini charcuterie board and souvenir glass — a concise guide to what to expect and how to plan.
Lavender, Vintage Coaches, and Rosé: A Two‑Hour Rail Tasting to Hanover Junction.
Board classic 1800 coach cars in New Freedom and settle in for an intimate, roughly two‑hour diesel-hauled run through York County’s Seven Valleys to Hanover Junction. The Wine & Cheese Express features Lavender Acres Winery as the 2026 NCR partner: passengers sample five wines, receive a souvenir tasting glass and a mini charcuterie board from Ale Craft Brewery, and watch rolling farmland and creek valleys pass by from vintage seating and operable windows.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Restored 1800 Coach Cars through Seven Valleys
Ride in carefully restored 19th‑ and early‑20th‑century passenger coaches — coal‑stove heat and operable windows bring a tactile, period feel — while the landscape of southern York County unfolds outside the window.
Lavender Acres Winery — Five Wines from an Eleven‑Wine List
Lavender Acres Winery, the official 2026 NCR Winery, supplies a curated tasting: each passenger chooses five wines from an eleven‑wine selection and receives a souvenir glass; at the end of the tasting you may finish with a full glass of your favorite as the train continues southbound toward the historic station.
Mini Charcuterie by Ale Craft Brewery
Alongside the tasting, a small charcuterie board provided by Ale Craft Brewery accompanies the wines, making the experience feel equal parts tasting and social ride.
What the day feels like
What the Two‑Hour Experience Feels Like
The outing is compact and social: passengers board in New Freedom, receive a souvenir tasting glass, sample five wines while nibbling a mini charcuterie board, and relax in vintage seating as the train carries the group to Hanover Junction and back. The tempo is unhurried — a tasting conducted at rail pace amid pastoral views — with Designated Driver tickets available for those who prefer non‑alcoholic options.
THE RIDE
Restored 1800 Coach Cars through Seven Valleys
Ride in carefully restored 19th‑ and early‑20th‑century passenger coaches — coal‑stove heat and operable windows bring a tactile, period feel — while the landscape of southern York County unfolds outside the window.
THE TASTING
Lavender Acres Winery — Five Wines from an Eleven‑Wine List
Lavender Acres Winery, the official 2026 NCR Winery, supplies a curated tasting: each passenger chooses five wines from an eleven‑wine selection and receives a souvenir glass; at the end of the tasting you may finish with a full glass of your favorite as the train continues southbound toward the historic station.
THE PAIRING
Mini Charcuterie by Ale Craft Brewery
Alongside the tasting, a small charcuterie board provided by Ale Craft Brewery accompanies the wines, making the experience feel equal parts tasting and social ride.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Please visit the Gift Shop to check in and receive your tickets; the shop is located at 117 North Front Street in New Freedom. Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled boarding time.
The excursion is approximately two hours round trip.
Passengers receive a souvenir tasting glass, sample five wines (chosen from eleven options), and are served a mini charcuterie board by Ale Craft Brewery; at the end of the tasting you may finish with a full glass of your chosen wine.
Designated Driver tickets (non‑alcoholic beverages and snacks) are available; membership holders may book half‑price tickets by calling 717‑942‑2370 ext. 102.
Several restored coaches are used for this service; the D. Reed Anderson combine car offers accessible seating and onboard restrooms, while other coaches replicate vintage 1860s–1920s interiors.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where do I check in for the Wine & Cheese Express?
Check in at the Northern Central Railway Gift Shop located at 117 North Front Street in New Freedom; arrive about 30 minutes before boarding.
How long is the ride?
The round trip is approximately two hours.
Am I limited in how many wines I taste?
Each passenger chooses five wines to taste from a list of eleven.
Is there an age requirement?
This tasting service is for adults; the offering is described as 21 plus. Designated Driver tickets are available for non‑alcoholic participation.
Are snacks provided?
Yes — a mini charcuterie board is provided by Ale Craft Brewery as part of the tasting; Designated Driver tickets include water, soft drinks, and snacks.
How do members book discounted tickets?
Membership holders should call 717‑942‑2370 ext. 102 to book half‑price tickets.