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The U.S. state of Pennsylvania is known as the state where the United States of America began with the drafting and the signing of the Declaration of Independence at the Pennsylvania State House in the city of Philadelphia. (It is Independence Hall today.) The state is also known for its coal mines and factories in small towns. In the central part of the state, the East Broad Top Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad constructed in the 1870’s to connect the mines and factories to the main line in the top of Mount Union, Pennsylvania. This continued until the 1950’s where the rail service began to decline. The line was abandoned.
Tracks to the Yard and Shops
In 1960, the East Broad Top Railroad began running excursions trains, and the excursions trains continued until 2011. The line was abandoned for good.
Hopper Cars
Or was it?
Passenger Train at the Station
The Friends of the East Broad Top Railroad purchased the property, and railroad excursions returned in 2020. The trains are running again.
The East Broad Top Railroad is the only narrow gauge railroad in the eastern United States and one of only a few east of the Mississippi. Along with the train rides, you can also take a shop tour to see the old round house and the repair shops.
Number 17 of the East Broad Top Railroad
The East Broad Top Railroad is located at 421 East Meadow Street (Pennsylvania Route 994) in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania just west of U.S. Route 552. Parking is on site. You can read more into the railroad at https://eastbroadtop.com/.
A Mountain Seen from the Train
The East Broad Top has returned. Come and take a ride on America’s most authentic narrow gauge railroad.
Do you remember the days when the trolleys ran up and down the streets of the city? Well, some of us do not remember as many cities removed the trolley lines many years ago before many of us were born, but cities like San Francisco, California still use trolleys. Today, some cities are bringing back the trolleys, but would it be nice to relive the glory days of the trolley?
Trolley 172
Welcome to the Rockhill Trolley Museum in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania. You arrive at the museum, and you purchase your ticket at the ticket booth. The trolley awaits you just steps away. You climb aboard the vintage trolley. When it is time to go, the trolley leaves the station. You stroll past the repair shops, and then you see the ruins of the furnace where the town gets its name. Then, you are in the woods. You arrive at the end of the line with U.S. Route 522 before you and a stream below on the left side. From here, you return to the station. The ride is over but wait. You see another trolley. You take a ride to the end of the line and back. This ride is over, but they decide to bring out a trolley that was used on the San Diego Trolley system in San Diego, California. Oh, you have to ride this trolley. You go to the end of the line and come back again. It is then time to leave the museum, and you have to return to the present day.
Number 1019 from San Diego, California
The Rockhill Trolley Museum is a great place to live or relive the days of the old trolleys. A ride really takes you back in time. With the East Broad Top Railroad across the street, the Rockhill Trolley Museum is a real compliment to your visit to the region. Let us say that you can have two great rail journeys in one.
Trolley 311
The Rockhill Trolley Museum is at 430 Meadow Street (Pennsylvania Route 994) in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania. It is open on Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend through October at 11:00am with the last trolley departing at 4:15pm. Parking is on sight. You can get more information on the trolleys and admission at http://rockhilltrolley.org/.
Trolley 6
Do not waste time looking for a time machine. Just visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum, and go back in time.
The Northern Central Railway at the Depot in New Freedom, Pennsylvania
In December of 1854, the Northern Central Railway was formed by a merger of numerous rail companies. The rail line connected the city of Baltimore in the U.S. state of Maryland with the city of Harrisburg, the capital of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, and it connected numerous small towns in between. The line was later taken over by the Pennsylvania Railroad. During its time, many towns were formed. There was a man named Abraham Lincoln who rode along this rail line numerous times. He first rode this line when he was on his way to Washington D.C. to take up residence in a house known as the White House to serve the nation as the President of the United States of America. While on his way to Washington D.C., the railroad thwarted the first assassination attempt which was supposed to take place at a station in Baltimore. He went along this line to connect to a train at a place called Hanover Junction while on his way to a Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg. Why was he going to Gettysburg? Months before, a battle of the American Civil War that was the turning point of the battle, known as the ‘Battle of Gettysburg’, took place. He went to the cemetery to honor those who lost their lives fighting for freedom with ‘The Gettysburg Address’. His final ride was when his casket was on its way to his final resting place in Springfield, Illinois. Throughout the years, the line changed ownership, but the trains kept rolling on.
The Northern Central Railway in New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Until 1972.
The Northern Central Rail Trail in Freeport, Maryland
Hurricanes Agnes struck the United States of America in the early Summer of 1972 making landfall in Panama City, Florida. The hurricane made its way to the Mid-Atlantic region causing much damage. The tracks that were the Northern Central Railway in the U.S. state of Maryland were destroyed. Penn Central Railroad, the last owner of the rail line, decided to abandon the line between Baltimore, Maryland and York, Pennsylvania. The Northern Central Railway was gone forever.
Not exactly.
In Maryland, the tracks were taken up, and it is now the Northern Central Rail Trail except for a stretch of track that is part of the Light Rail Transit System for Baltimore.
The Abandoned Northern Central Rail Line and the York County Heritage Trail in New Freedom, Pennsylvania
What happened in Pennsylvania?
The Rails of the Northern Central Railway in New Freedom, Pennsylvania
The two-track line (became double-track during World War I) became a single track leaving the one track to remain with the York County Heritage Trail, the northern continuation of the Northern Central Rail Trail, running alongside the rail line. For many years, no trains ran along this line despite that it was still an active rail line.
That changed in 2011.
‘Steam Into History’ began train excursions with a newly built steam locomotive pulling newly built old time passenger cars giving passengers a one of a kind passenger experience. Many have come from across the United States of America and around the world to ride this train. The Number 17 William Simpson York locomotive pulled passengers from its south terminus in the town of New Freedom, Pennsylvania through the towns of Railroad, Glen Rock, and Hanover Junction, the same place where Abraham Lincoln changed trains while on his way to Gettysburg. (Sadly, only a short section of this track remains.)
The Number 17 York of the Northern Central Railway Ready to Depart New Freedom, Pennsylvania
Today, ‘Steam Into History’ has been rebranded at the Northern Central Railway, and it continues to take passengers along the same route pulled by Number 17 and by a diesel locomotive, and you can now ride to the town of Seven Valleys. The Northern Central Railway is making a comeback, and they are looking to make its way to York.
Rail Fans Watching the Arrival of the train in Seitzland, Pennsylvania
The Northern Central Railway is at 2 W. Main Street in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. You can learn more about the excursions and by tickets at https://www.northerncentralrailway.com/.
Number 17 in Seitzland, Pennsylvania
It may be not be ‘Steam Into History’ anymore, but the return on the Northern Central Railway will keep the history moving on.
The depot at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana
The U.S. state of Indiana has the nickname of being the ‘Hoosier State’. How does the state get that name? There is no real known answer to the question, but there is a theory being that Indiana is not one of those states that comes first to many people’s mind that the word ‘Hoosier’ comes from the phrase ‘who’s there’. The definition is simply a resident of the state of Indiana. Many travel experts would tell you that there is nothing to the state of Indiana. Sadly, they are mistaken not knowing that the state is the home of one of sports hallowed grounds known by many racing fans as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which hosts the Indianapolis 500, the greatest Indy Car race in the world. The southern part of the state in the Louisville, Kentucky metropolis, and horse racing fans are fully aware of another hallowed ground known as Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the longest continuously running sporting event in the world, and it is part of what is known as ‘The Triple Crown’. It is also a big basketball state, and South Bend is home to the University of Notre Dame, a university famous for its football team.
Bessemer and Lake Erie Caboose Number 1989 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Some of you are saying, “This is wonderful about the state of Indiana, but does this state have anything to offer other than sports?”
The platform at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
That is a great question. Did you know that the city of Indianapolis has the second largest number of monuments of any city in the world? (Washington D.C. is number one.) The three longest routes in the United States (U.S. 6, U.S. 20, and U.S. 30) all pass through Indiana, and the longest interstate route (Interstate 90) passes through Indiana. If that is not enough, the city of Elkhart is called the Recreational Vehicle Capital of the World. How? Many recreational vehicles are manufactured here, and it is the home of the RV Hall of Fame.
Between the Tracks at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
As for railroads, many the America’s major railroads passed through the state of Indiana. The New York Central System had Elkhart as one of the railroad’s hubs (it is home to the New York Central Railroad Museum), and it is a hub for the Norfolk Southern Railroad today. We can go on about the many great sites and accomplishments of the state of Indiana, but one of the great sites you will see is a great railroad site that bears the state’s nickname.
The signals at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Welcome to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana. Located in the northwestern region of the state, it is a short drive from the major cities of Indianapolis and Chicago, Illinois. What will you see here?
Passenger Cars at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
You begin inside a replica of a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway depot. Here you will see photos and photos and photos of trains that passed through North Judson. You will see the ticket office and a bench used for passengers in the waiting room. You will see a model train running around the top of the museum. Of course, you will also find the gift shop where you can buy a souvenir from the museum with proceeds going to the museum itself.
The Ticket Window inside the Depot at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Wait a minute. You do not want to come here to see pictures of trains. You want to see trains.
Old Commuter Passenger Car at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Well then. It is time to go outside. You cross the tracks. You see so many cabooses and locomotives. Where do you begin? How about starting with Caboose 1989 from the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad. You can see the old commuter passenger from the Long Island Railroad. How about Caboose Number 9914 from the Illinois Central Railroad which has a small museum inside?
A Pullman Hospital Car at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Be advised that you have a good-sized list of rolling stock here, but there is more to this museum.
Caboose Number 471 from the Nickel Plate Road at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
You have an old switching tower and a watchman’s shanty, and you can also visit the shops. Here, you can see dedicated volunteers rebuilding and refurbishing locomotives and rolling stock.
An Old Yard Switch Tower at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
There is so much that you can see at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. If this is not enough, you can also take a train ride. Train rides happen from May through October and during special events like Easter and Christmas.
Inside the Ticket Office at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is an all-volunteer organization. There is no paid staff. It is at 507 Mulberry Street in North Judson, Indiana, a few blocks north of Indiana Route 10. The museum is open every Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm year-round, but train rides only take place from May to October. The museum is free, but they will gladly accept donations to keep the museum open and to help with the costs of refurbishing the equipment. There is a cost to ride the train. Parking is on site. You can get information about the museum to include the train rides and to see more of their equipment at http://www.hoosiervalley.org/.
Number 508 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
Now, what was this about there being nothing special about the state of Indiana? There are many great places in this state. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is one of them. It is an out-of-the-way museum in an out-of-the-way town worth going out of the way for.
Number 2789 at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson, Indiana.
The Hocking Hills in the U.S. state of Ohio is a region southeast of the state capital of Columbus that is full of forests, waterfalls, and other natural wonders. People come here to hike and to camp and to be in nature. With all these natural wonders, there is also a mechanical wonder in this region.
Number 3 at the Depot
All aboard the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville, Ohio. It runs on a line that originally was built to connect the city of Columbus and the town of Athens, and it was once part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. Today, the line only runs between Nelsonville to Haydenville and does not connect to any other line. The journey begins at the Nelsonville Depot which also houses a small museum. You enjoy the museum, but you came here to ride the train.
The Number 3 Is at the Nelsonville Depot
You step outside, and you watch the train pulling into the station. You feel transported back in time. As you watch the train arrive. You board one of the vintage passenger cars being pulled by a steam locomotive, and you take a seat. The time comes when the train pulls out of the station. You watch as you pull out of the town of Nelsonville. You cross over a creek. You pass by open land and houses and an old run-down depot. They you see a quarry filled with water. You then arrive in Haydenville. Sadly, this is the end of the line, but you are not down on your luck because you watch the locomotive go by to reattach to the other end to pull the train back to Nelsonville. As you are enjoying the ride back, you notice an old kiln. It was here where bricks were made, and they were shipped by train to locations across the country, but you just see ruins. The next thing you know is that you are back in Nelsonville and at the Nelsonville depot. You get off the train, and you are back to normal life.
Steam Comes from Number 3
Along with excursion trips to Haydenville, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is in the process of clearing old trackage south of the Nelsonville Depot to Robbins Crossing, a living history village operated by Hocking College. A ride on the train to here will really bring your time travel experience to life.
A Homestead at Robbins Crossing
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is operated completely by volunteers. There is no paid staff. Their real payment is seeing the operation of vintage equipment and the joy of the passengers.
The Number 3 During a Photo Shoot
The Nelsonville Depot is located at 33 West Canal Street in Nelsonville, Ohio. It is minutes from U.S. Route 33 and Ohio Route 278 and a short walk from the town center. Parking is on site, and the train is handicap accessible. You can get more information at https://www.hvsry.org/. If you have a little time, you can take a short drive to the Robbins Crossing living history village. Admission to the village is free.
A House at Robbins Crossing
The next time you are in southeastern Ohio, make your way to Nelsonville. Climb aboard the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway where the history of the Hocking Hills still rolls on.
Here Come Number 3 of the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 