YORK ARRIVAL: NEW FREEDOM, PA – The “William H. Simpson” York #17 is a faithful replica of a Civil War era 4-4-0 steam locomotive. In 1863, a locomotive of this type pulled President Abraham Lincoln’s train from Baltimore along this line to Hanover Junction roughly 10 miles to the North where he transferred onto another train and head West to Gettysburg to deliver his now famous seven minute address commemorating the new cemetery where thousands from that summer’s battle had perished. The locomotive is named in honored of Mr. Simpson who was a driving force behind the creation of Steam Into History, the company that runs the excursions between New Freedom and Hanover Junction. He died in May, 2012 not having seen his vision come to life. Lighting provided by Sean R. Hoyden
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