New Freedom

New Freedom is the main depot for Northern Central Railway of York. In 1995, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The original station was reconstructed in 2003. During the reconstruction, a railroad museum was added by the York County Parks Department. Today, this building is the main depot, ticketing and gift shop and main boarding platform for the organization. 

The town of New Freedom was established in 1883, after the United States Postal Service determined that enough people were living in the area to warrant a post office. While the area was locally known as “Freedom”, the official name of the town was to be “New Freedom” as there was already a town called “Freedom” in the Pittsburgh area. Prior to the arrival of the railroad, New Freedom was a farming community, but the railroad allowed the town to blossom into an important industrial town. Multiple industries were located in of New Freedom, including Summer’s Cannery, Atlantic Refinery, and the New Freedom Wire Cloth Company.

The turning point for New Freedom came in 1959 when Interstate 83 passed through neighboring Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania. The opening of the highway slowly led to most of the freight traffic along the railroad to be transferred to trucks. New industries were now established in Shrewsbury and New Freedom started to return to its roots. In 1971, Hurricane Angus destroyed all of the bridges along the railway, which were not all rebuilt, ending approximately 140 of the rail service for New Freedom. Since the mid 1970’s, New Freedom has shifted primarily back to agriculture and has also become a residential community for families and people working in both Harrisburg and Baltimore. In the past decade, New Freedom has enjoyed a bit of resurgence. Older businesses such as Mann & Parker Lumber and Crescent Industries have been complemented by newer industries. Several breweries, shops and restaurants have also opened close to the rail lines. 

Excursions with the destination of New Freedom:

• New Freedom Flyer – 5-hour round-trip departing from Hanover Junction Station that includes a 2-hour layover in the town of New Freedom.
• The majority of NCR’s excursions depart and return to this locations.