93 Minutes
A
significant chapter in North American railroading was born in 2013 as
Steam into History began operating between the towns of New Freedom and
Hanover Junction, Pennsylvania.
This
line was once part of the Northern Central Railway. During the American
Civil War, the Northern Central transported supplies and troops for the
Union Army, and was itself a military target when rebel troops
destroyed much of the railroad. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the
railroad moved wounded troops through the towns to hospitals in northern
cities. Abraham Lincoln changed trains at Hanover Junction as he
traveled to the scene of this horrific battle and made his famous
Gettysburg Address. Seventeen months later, Lincoln was assassinated.
His funeral train went from Washington DC to Springfield, Illinois
through major cities and small towns, including New Freedom and Hanover
Junction. The depot where Lincoln stopped at Hanover Junction remains
today.
Recognizing
the significance of this railroad line, the founders of Steam into
History set out to create a unique attraction which would appeal to a
wide audience. They commissioned David Kloke to build a replica 4-4-0
locomotive. Mr. Kloke earlier had built another 4-4-0, the Leviathan, which we also see operating at Steam into History during its first season.
Footage
for our program was created through repeated visits from June through
November by videographer Jonathan Eau Claire. Chronicling equipment and
operating changes, many special events, reenactments, and the changing
of the seasons, this program is a fine documentary of Steam into
History’s first season!
