Gettysburg Railway
About Gettysburg Railway
Embark on a journey through history and the picturesque countryside of Adams County, Pennsylvania.
Take a Ride Into the Past
Historic Adventures on the Rails
The Gettysburg & Northern Railroad tour offers an exciting cultural experience that highlights the historic significance of the rail line. Enjoy a first-class train ride near the battlefield, with views of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and the picturesque countryside. Along the way, you’ll learn about various historical points of interest and the modern-day use of the railroad, all from the comfort of fully renovated 1950s-era passenger railcars.
Our Story
The History of Our Railroad
The line you ride today has carried more than 140 years of Gettysburg history, from the push to connect the town by rail to the battle that made it famous.
Early 1800s
The Push for Rail
Efforts to bring rail service to Gettysburg began in the early 1800s.
1858
Rail Arrives
After many setbacks, rail service finally arrived in 1858.
1863
The Railroad Cut
An unfinished rail extension became a deadly trap during the Battle of Gettysburg. Confederate troops used it for cover on July 1, but Union attacks turned it into a fatal bottleneck.
1884
Golden Spikes at Oak Ridge
The Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railroad you ride today was completed in 1884, marked by the driving of two golden spikes at Oak Ridge. The first passenger train ran on April 21, 1884.
Today
Gettysburg Railway
Patriot Rail Excursions invites you to board at the historic 1884 Gettysburg train depot, aboard fully renovated 1950s-era passenger railcars.
Every Mile Tells a Story
Points of Interest
1. Gettysburg & Adams County
This journey travels from downtown Gettysburg into rural Adams County, passing farmland, woodlands, creeks, and apple orchards near the base of South Mountain. While Gettysburg is best known for the 1863 battle, the land holds a much deeper history shaped by agriculture, education, and transportation.
2. Gettysburg College
Founded in 1832 as Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg College emerged during a period when Adams County was a regional center for commerce, culture, and political activity. The institution remains closely tied to the town’s history and development.
3. The Railroad Cut
Near this location is the historic railroad cut, an unfinished rail extension in 1863 that became a deadly trap during the Battle of Gettysburg. Confederate troops used it for cover on July 1, but Union attacks turned it into a fatal bottleneck. In 1997, the remains of a Union soldier killed here were discovered and later reburied with full military honors.
4. Battle of Gettysburg – July 1, 1863
The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg unfolded in the fields north and west of town. Union forces under Generals John Reynolds and Oliver Otis Howard attempted to hold advancing Confederate troops but were driven through Gettysburg by afternoon. The surrounding land later became part of Gettysburg National Military Park.
5. Eternal Light Peace Memorial
Located near Mummasburg Road, this monument was dedicated in 1938 on the battle’s 75th anniversary. President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke at the ceremony, attended by many aging Civil War veterans. A flame burns continuously atop the memorial, symbolizing lasting peace between North and South.
6. Civil War Artillery Positions
Along this stretch, Confederate artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Henry Carter once stood. During the battle, more than 600 cannons were in use, with approximately 200 firing simultaneously during the July 3 bombardment preceding Pickett’s Charge.
7. History of the Railroad
Efforts to bring rail service to Gettysburg began in the early 1800s. After many setbacks, rail service finally arrived in 1858. The Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railroad you are riding on was completed in 1884, marked by the driving of two golden spikes at Oak Ridge. The first passenger train ran on April 21, 1884.
8. South Mountain Range
The South Mountain Range is the northern extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching from the Potomac River through south-central Pennsylvania. Its fertile eastern slopes helped establish Adams County as one of the nation’s premier apple-growing regions.
9. French and Indian War & Revolutionary Era
During the French and Indian War, frontier settlers faced raids and violence, prompting local militia service. Col Hance Hamilton, a prominent early settler, owned much of this land. Twenty years later, residents again took up arms as part of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
10. Newville (Biglerville) Road
This road—modern Route 34—is one of ten major roads converging at Gettysburg. On July 1, 1863, approximately 7,000 Confederate troops under General Robert Rodes passed through here en route to the battle.
11. Goldenville Road
Dating to 1747, Goldenville Road is among the oldest in the region. George Washington traveled this route in 1794. A Civil War skirmish occurred nearby on June 26, 1863, between Pennsylvania emergency troops and Confederate forces led by General Jubal Early.
12. Table Rock Station
This was one of several simple platform stops along the railroad, allowing farmers to ship goods to larger markets. Many such stops existed along the largely rural route.
13. Native American History
Native Americans lived in Pennsylvania for over 10,000 years before European settlement. In Adams County, artifacts found near creeks reveal long-standing camps and villages. By the time Europeans arrived, Native populations had shifted toward major rivers like the Susquehanna.
14. Origins of the Fruit Industry
After the Civil War, Adams County became a national center for apple production. In 1893, Noah Sheely sold 1,500 barrels of apples at the Chicago World’s Fair, sparking a boom. Today, the county produces 70% of Pennsylvania’s apples and hosts the annual National Apple Harvest Festival each October.