PREX 1001 with a boxcar near Gettysburg in 2016.
(Mobilus In Mobili, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
GETTYSBURG AND NORTHERN RAILROAD (GET)
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.
Patriot Rail Company acquired Pioneer Railcorp in 2022, and in early 2024 announced that it would resume tourist excursions on the Gettysburg and Northern Railroad. Excursion service began in mid-2025, using 5 coaches and 2 dedicated locomotives.
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 |
| 1786 | GP40FH-2 | Diesel | EMD | Built as PC GP40 3070, rebuilt by NJT. Used on excursion service. | Active |
| 1863 | GP15 | Diesel | EMD | Ex CR 1678. Used on excursion service. | Active |
| 3833 | GP38-2 | Diesel | EMD | LTEX 3833, Ex NS, Built as SOU 5129 | Active |
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.com/the-gettysburg-and-northern-railway-get/
