Howard Tunnel Photo Special on the Northern Central Railway

June 26, 2021 was a milestone day along the Northern Central Railway, south of York, PA. For the first time since 1989, one of the nation's oldest active railroad tunnels would once again have a steam locomotive passing through it under its' own power and pulling a revenue train. Over the last couple of years, the rail line that the Northern Central runs on has been rehabilitated, working its way northward a bit each year from its base in New Freedom, PA. Over the last year or so, massive progress has been made, and over the last couple of weeks, the Howard Tunnel not only has been reached, but worked through. Trains can now go not only northward through the tunnel, but further on down the line as well.
To celebrate the occasion, the Northern Central Railway held a photo event, with a couple of runbys at the tunnel featuring 4-4-0 York #17 at the helm of four replica passenger coaches. After the crowded tunnel runbys, a few more were held at the Hanover Junction station, made famous in a Matthew Brady Civil War-era photograph which purports to show Abraham Lincoln at the station on the way to delivering the Gettysburg Address. Enjoy this look at the Howard Tunnel Photo Special on the Northern Central Railway!

[@NixCrossing]

Hey! I Was there as well! We witnessed railroad history that day. 1988 was the last time a steam loco went through the tunnel - a K4 1361. Love your work! 🚂💨

[@rj78productions88]

Yes, i as well, you got us both at 0:22 to the left of the tunnel opening. 😉Awesome editing and footage.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Thank you both!!

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Awesome Video

[@Bigjimvideo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hugocesargayozzoalvarez]

AMADA LOCOMOTORA 1875❤

[@dorothyhellmuth3408]

Some history of the locomotive, age restoration dates, etc. would be nice. I didn't know any eight-wheelers were still operating. A story on its restoration alone would be welcome.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Indeed, this was built in 2013 - so it's definitely one of the newer (literally) steam locomotives in the country!!

[@Norfolk7130]

Too bad there was a private charter that went through there a few days prior so it wasnt even the first train but nice video. Sucks that there were too many people at the run by locations though

[@Bigjimvideo]

It was the first public revenue train...

[@trainmaster90productions]

Nice work as always Jim I never thought steam will run thru there how far did Steam into history restore track? And will this be like a twice a year event like steam into the cove

[@Bigjimvideo]

Not sure - they restored it a little ways past the tunnel, but they plan/hope to get to the end of their trackage/where they meet with York Railways, just south of York at Hyde.

[@RyanHatterer-Ryanns999]

What time was the run by at Howard? I was walking up with the family until the daughter got upset over something never made it.

[@Bigjimvideo]

Looks like about 2:15 pm(ish, according to my iPhone's shots taken around then)

[@RyanHatterer-Ryanns999]

@@Bigjimvideo we were down around noon so we missed it