Stewartstown Railroad
The Stewartstown Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Stewartstown |
| Locale | Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Dates of operation | 1885–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4' 8 1/2 |
| Length | 7.4 miles |
| Other | |
| Website | www.stewartstownrailroadco.com |
Chartered in 1884 by local interests in the Stewartstown area, and opened in 1885, the Stewartstown Railroad survives today in very much original condition, and retains its original corporate charter. Resuming service in 2015, the railroad has a crew of volunteers working on operations. Currently, passenger and tourist trains operate out of the 1914 Stewartstown Railroad Station, for either Coach rides or Caboose rides, approximately a mile down the line and back. Former Reading Railroad coach 1341 is back in service as of December 2016. As of June 2018, a new Open Air car owned and built by the Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad, Inc. is available for use.
Motorcar rides operate out of the Stewartstown Railroad Station and run the entire length of the 7.4 mile line. Approximately one weekend a month motorcar trains run from Stewartstown to New Freedom, and return.
The Railroad offers holiday specific trains, such as Easter Bunny Trains, Fall Foliage Runs, Halloween Trains, and Santa Trains.
The Shrewsbury Railroad Station, Stewartstown Railroad Station, and Stewartstown Engine House at Stewartstown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in York County, Pennsylvania. Also listed are the Deer Creek Bridge, Ridge Road Bridge, Stone Arch Road Bridge, and Valley Road Bridge.[1][2]
Locomotive roster
| Number | Builder | Type | Build date | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Plymouth Locomotive Works | ML-8 switcher | 1943 | Operational | Built in 1943 by the Plymouth Locomotive Works in Plymouth, Ohio, it originally served on the South Carolina Ports Authority until 1960 when it was purchased by the Stewartstown Railroad. Today, the engine serves as the motive power for regular passenger and caboose trains. |
| 10 | GE Transportation | 44-ton switcher | 1946 | Operational | Built in 1946 by the GE Transportation, an ex-Coudersport & Port Allegany and Wellsville, Addison & Galeton Railroad locomotive. In 1972, it was leased by the Lykens Valley Railroad where it served on the railway from 1972 to 1983. It was later operated by Rail Tours, Incorporated in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania from 1983 until 1985 when it was returned to the Stewartstown Railroad. The locomotive returned to active service in April 2019 |
| 12 | GE Transportation | 80-ton switcher | Unknown | Privately owned. | |
| 84 | EMD | SW9 | 1952 | Undergoing
Restoration |
Built 1952 for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad. Purchased by the Maryland & Pennsylvania in 1976. Donated by the York Railway in 2018. Undergoing operational restoration in York, PA. |