Howard Tunnel

The Howard Tunnel is the newest and last main destination for NCR. The track was expanded through the tunnel and just past the landmark of Hyde in June of 2021. This tunnel is unique because you can only access the tunnel by walking or biking the York County Heritage Rail Trail or by being a passenger on the NCR train. This is the 2nd oldest active passenger tunnel in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

To facilitate the completion of the Northern Central Railroad between Harrisburg and Baltimore, a 275 foot tunnel had to be constructed 6 miles south of York. The Howard Tunnel was named after the engineer Henry Howard, who discovered an efficient way to drill through solid slate that the bore had to pass through. The Tunnel was completed in 1838 with one track passing through it and allowed the Northern Central Railroad to thrive in its early years.

With the Northern Central a Confederate target during the Civil War, the tunnel was protected by members of the Pennsylvania Militia. Aided by the fact that the tunnel is not accessible from the local roads, the militia successfully prevented Confederate attacks. The increase in traffic on the Northern Central required a second track be installed along the length of the route between Harrisburg and Baltimore. This required the Howard Tunnel to be widened to accommodate two tracks, and this was completed in the late 1860’s. The tunnel has been refurbished or rebuilt at least three times in its long history and has seen active rail service since its opening in 1833.

The Howard Tunnel is 16 miles from New Freedom, making this a 3.5 hours round trip. In 2022, NCR restored a 1906 Gondola Car for the use to shuttle bikes, creating an excursion called Bike Aboard. NCR offers this excursion in conjunction with the Howard Tunnel Special and boards bike passengers along the way for one way train rides. 

Excursions with the destination of Howard Tunnel:

• Howard Tunnel Special
• Howard Tunnel Special Aboard the Trail Sisters
• Fall Foliage Howard Tunnel Special
• Ales on the Rails
• Bike Aboard