 PREX 1001 with a boxcar near Gettysburg in 2016 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Reporting mark | GET |
| Locale | Adams and Cumberland counties in Pennsylvania |
| Dates of operation | 2001–present |
| Predecessor | Gettysburg Railway |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 25 mi (40.2 km) |
| Other | |
| Website | pioneerlines |
The Gettysburg and Northern Railroad (reporting mark GET) is a short-line railroad located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The railroad operates a 25-mile (40 km) long line running between Gettysburg in Adams County and Mount Holly Springs in Cumberland County.
Operations
The Gettysburg and Northern Railroad operates a 25-mile (40 km) long line running from Gettysburg in Adams County north to Mount Holly Springs in Cumberland County. Between Gettysburg and Mount Holly Springs, the railroad serves Biglerville, Aspers, Gardners, Peach Glen, Hunters Run, and Upper Mill. The Gettysburg and Northern Railroad interchanges with CSX Transportation in Gettysburg and the Norfolk Southern Railway in Mount Holly Springs. Among the products carried by the railroad are canned goods, pulpboard, soda ash, grain, and scrap paper
History
The railroad was built in the late 19th century and opened in 1891 as the Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railway. The line was later leased to the Reading Railroad and operated as the "Gettysburg Branch." The bankrupt Reading Railroad became part of Conrail in 1976, however the Gettysburg Branch was left out of the Conrail system. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation took over the branch and sold the line to a new company, the Blairsville & Indiana Railroad, in 1976; this company changed its name to Gettysburg Railroad.
In 1996, the Gettysburg Railroad was sold to RailAmerica subsidiary Delaware Valley Railroad Company, which operated the line as the Gettysburg Railway. In 2001, the Gettysburg Railway was sold to Pioneer Railcorp and the Gettysburg and Northern Railroad took over operations.
Presently the Gettysburg and Northern is owned and operated by Patriot Rail Company. In early 2024, Patriot Rail announced plans to resume tourist excursions on the line.
Locomotive Roster
| No. | Class | Engine | Builder | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | GP9 | Diesel | EMD | Built as CV GP9, later moved around the Pioneer Lines network. | Off Roster |
| 107 | GP10 | Diesel | EMD | Rebuilt by Conrail to GP10 specs. Later sold to Rock Island Rail | Off Roster |
| 401 | F7 | Diesel | EMD | Originally BLE 726, suffered engine failure in mid 2000's, sold in 2023. | Off Roster |
| 402 | F7 | Diesel | EMD | Originally CNW 406, sold in 2023 | Off Roster |
| 1000 | GP10 | Diesel | EMD | Ex Elkhart & Western RailRoad, Rebuilt by Illinois Central to a GP10. Built as GP9 GN 622 | Active |
| 1001 | GP10 | Diesel | EMD | Ex Illinois Central 8295, Built as GP9 C&O 6080 | Active |
| 1501 | GP20D | Diesel | EMD | Off Roster | |
| 1751 | F9A | Diesel | EMD | Ex Algoma Central, later Peoria & Western 1751, sold to BUGX | Off Roster |
| 1755 | F9A | Diesel | EMD | Ex Algoma Central, Sold to Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad | Off Roster |
| 1761 | F9B | Diesel | EMD | Ex Algoma Central, later Peoria & Western 1761, off roster by 2022 | Off Roster |
| 3833 | GP38-2 | Diesel | EMD | LTEX 3833, Ex NS, Built as SOU 5129 | Active |
References
- "Gettysburg & Northern Railroad". Pioneer Railcorp. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- Lewis, Edward A. (1996). American Short Line Railway Guide (5th ed.). Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach. p. 134. ISBN 0-89024-290-9.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (1996). "Report Form 10-K: RailAmerica, Inc".
- "Pioneer Railcorp-Continuance in Control Exemption-Gettysburg & Northern Railroad Co". Surface Transportation Board. February 27, 2001. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- Cupper, Dan (January 12, 2024). "Patriot Rail to start tourist service on Gettysburg & Northern". trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
