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A Maryland Christmas Train Ride In York!

Published: November 15, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The Northern Central Railway in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, blends living history with modern-day fun, especially during the holiday season. Operating over a reactivated segment of the historic Northern Central Railway main line, the non-profit railroad carries visitors through the rolling farmland and wooded hills of southern York County while interpreting the line’s Civil War–era heritage.

Today, its excursions range from family-friendly rides behind a 19th-century-style steam locomotive to adults-only events built around craft beverages and live entertainment. That mix of history and festivity really comes into focus each November and December, when the railroad’s Santa Express, Christmas Elves Express, Cowboy Christmas, and “ugly sweater” trains turn the line into a rolling holiday party.

Northern Central 4-4-0 #17, the "York," stops at the Glen Rock Mill Inn for an evening excursion on November 16, 2013. Jon Wright photo.

Historical background

The modern operation traces its roots to Steam Into History, which launched excursions out of New Freedom in 2013. The concept was to recreate the look and feel of the trains that carried President Abraham Lincoln to Gettysburg along this same corridor in 1863.

To do that, the group commissioned No. 17 York, a 4-4-0 “American” type built by Kloke Locomotive Works between 2010 and 2013. The engine, officially known as the William H. Simpson No. 17, is a faithful replica of the type of locomotive that hauled Lincoln’s train, down to its balloon stack, polished brass, and ornate striping.

The heritage line operates on roughly ten miles of the former Northern Central main line between New Freedom and Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania. In the 19th century this route offered a vital north–south connection for the Pennsylvania Railroad system and played an important strategic role during the Civil War.

The route was once fully doubled tracked and signaled, acting as PRR's main line between Harrisburg and Baltimore, hosting key passenger trains like the Liberty Limited. Today, the track is paralleled by the York County Heritage Rail Trail, creating a striking rail-with-trail setting where cyclists and walkers pace the train through fields and forests.

In 2019, Steam Into History adopted the historic Northern Central Railway name, becoming Northern Central Railway of York and further aligning itself with the line’s original identity.

In recent years the organization has also acquired and moved into the historic New Freedom station, a restored wooden depot now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serving as ticket office, gift shop, and interpretive center.

Trains, route, and regular excursions

Northern Central’s equipment roster emphasizes both authenticity and variety. The star attraction is No. 17, the wood-era 4-4-0 replica, but the railroad also uses a 1959-built GP9 diesel (PRR heritage) that handles many excursions and provides a contrast between 19th- and mid-20th-century motive power. Restored coaches include 1800s-style cars, mid-century “Trail Sisters” parlor and passenger cars, an open-air gondola, and a caboose, allowing the railroad to tailor each train to the season and theme.

From New Freedom, most trips follow the former main line north through small towns like Railroad, Glen Rock, and Hanover Junction, with options ranging from short one-hour jaunts to longer journeys that reach historic landmarks such as Howard Tunnel, one of the oldest active railroad tunnels in the United States. These “everyday” excursions include scenic fall foliage trains, wine and cheese outings, brunch specials, and family-focused runs that highlight the line’s Civil War and industrial history.

Holiday season on the Northern Central

As the holidays approach, the railroad leans into its role as a seasonal destination, packaging its scenic route and vintage equipment into a slate of themed trains marketed under “Holidays at Northern Central Railway.” The official holiday page presents these rides as “unforgettable winter and holiday-themed train adventures” with twinkling lights, festive music, and a spectrum of experiences from kid-centric story trains to evening outings for adults.

Santa Express

The Santa Express is Northern Central’s classic family holiday ride, designed for all ages. Boarding takes place at the historic New Freedom station, decorated for the season. Once aboard, passengers ride north to Glen Rock and back on a roughly one-hour round trip, with Santa himself traveling in the train.

The railroad describes the Santa Express as a train “decked out for the festive season,” with holiday décor and music creating a cozy atmosphere. Each child is given time to visit with Santa, who presents a small gift to those on the “nice list.” Parents can expect plenty of photo opportunities in the cars and on the platform in New Freedom, and many guests treat the trip as the centerpiece of a day spent exploring the town and nearby rail trail.

Christmas Elves Express

If the Santa Express is the traditional option, the Christmas Elves Express adds a bit more theatrical flair. Marketed as a high-energy family ride, this train features “fun characters, music, dancing, and snow,” creating a more interactive experience for kids.

Onboard, Santa’s elves provide much of the entertainment. The railroad’s holiday page describes a storyline where Santa’s mischievous elves have gotten themselves into trouble and need help from passengers to rediscover their Christmas spirit.

Expect sing-along carols, lighthearted antics in the aisles, and “snowy” surprises as the train rolls through the countryside. Fares are typically tiered by age—for example, recent seasons have listed separate adult and child prices—which makes it easy for families to book.

Cowboy Christmas

Cowboy Christmas brings together two of NCR’s signature themes: Wild West reenactments and holiday storytelling. The event is marketed as the railroad’s “Cowboy Christmas,” with promotional copy describing how the “Grinch Gang” is out to steal Santa’s bag of goodies before the “Good Guys” ride to the rescue.

Passengers board vintage coaches in New Freedom for a one-hour trip toward Glen Rock. Along the way, guests meet Cowboy Santa and his band of elves, with skits and interactions staged in the cars and along the right-of-way. Like the Santa Express, each child receives a special treat from Santa’s bag. Cowboy Christmas is positioned as an all-ages show, particularly appealing for children who enjoy cowboys, action, and a slightly different spin on the standard North Pole narrative.

Ugly Sweater Ales on the Rails

Ugly Sweater Ales on the Rails shifts the focus squarely to adults looking for a festive night out. This 21-and-over excursion invites riders to don their “best (or worst!) holiday sweater” and enjoy craft brews aboard the train.

Recent descriptions list separate fares for regular adult tickets and designated drivers, underlining the beer-centric nature of the event. Trains use comfortable cars such as the mid-century Trail Sisters, and the ride is framed as a relaxed, social evening: guests sip seasonal beer selections, chat with friends, and watch the winter landscape slide past the windows. Onboard staff often keep things lively with music, announcements, and encouragement for photo-worthy sweater show-downs.

For visitors already familiar with NCR’s daytime history trips, Ales on the Rails offers a very different mood—more like a rolling holiday pub than a traditional excursion, while still preserving the backdrop of vintage equipment and historic right-of-way.

Ugly Sweater Happy Hour

The Ugly Sweater Happy Hour excursion complements Ales on the Rails, providing another adults-oriented option built around holiday sweaters and festive drinks. The railroad bills this ride as a way to “kick off your holiday night,” with a train “decked out for the festive season,” upbeat holiday hits, and a focus on socializing and photo ops.

Passengers board at New Freedom and settle into parlor or passenger cars where a cash bar serves seasonal cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic favorites. A highlight is the onboard ugly sweater contest, giving riders a reason to go all-in on their wardrobe choices.

While the atmosphere is lighthearted and fun, guests still enjoy the same scenic route that defines NCR’s other excursions, watching small towns and wooded hillsides roll by under twinkling lights.

Planning a visit

All Northern Central excursions, including the holiday trains, depart from the historic station at 117 N. Front Street in New Freedom. The railroad encourages guests to arrive early to check in at the gift shop, explore the station area, and perhaps walk a portion of the adjacent Heritage Rail Trail.

Because dates, times, and pricing change each season, anyone planning a trip should consult the railroad’s official website schedule and online ticketing pages for the latest details on departures, fare types, and special instructions (such as arrival times, seating options, and age restrictions for alcohol-focused events).

Taken together, the Santa Express, Christmas Elves Express, Cowboy Christmas, Ugly Sweater Ales on the Rails, and Ugly Sweater Happy Hour give the Northern Central Railway a remarkably diverse holiday lineup.

Families with young children can choose between traditional Santa visits and interactive elf or cowboy adventures, while adults can trade the office party for a night of craft brews and ugly sweater contests aboard a vintage train.

All of it unfolds against the backdrop of a historic main line that once carried Abraham Lincoln, making a Christmastime visit to New Freedom both festive and deeply rooted in rail history.  To learn more about all of the railroad's holiday excursions please click here to visit the Northern Central's website.