By M.T.Burkhart
NEW FREEDOM, Pa. – Northern Central Railway is working towards restoring a rare 1906 wood-sided gondola for bike train service in April, the railroad said.
The York County Community Foundation and the York County Economic Alliance recently announced $40,000 in grant funds to restore the piece of rolling stock. Another $9,000 is needed to complete the funding.
Built by American Car & Foundry, the car served the Delaware & Hudson as its 8148. It went to the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum at Strasburg before landing on the Northern Central (formerly Steam Into History). The railroad follows a popular rail trail in York County, and the gondola is expected to be used on the “Bike Aboard” program.
Northern Central runs tourist service from its base of operations at New Freedom to just north of the 1838 tunnel near Seven Valleys, Pa. It’s best known for operating a replica 4-4-0 steam locomotive, but is also raising funds for painting GP9 6076 back into Pennsylvania Railroad colors. For more, visit www.northerncentralrailway.com.
