A reminder that the April work weekend is this coming Friday (18), Saturday(19) and Sunday(20). We will be out on the line so bring your lunch.

We have four big tasks:
1) Install more ties in the swamp area west of Elm Street crossing. Saturday
2) Install more ties and put stone at the approaches to bridge #2 west of Kirchner Road
3) Shore up the eroded bank area just east of the Mann and Parker yard so the weed spray truck can safely traverse it ( probably Sunday)
4) Add stone and fill in the problem culvert area roadbed just East Of Elm Street where we worked on Friday, and maybe a couple more ties if we have  time.

We had a good crew on Friday the 10 th and got a lot done on a brilliant sunny Spring day, including removing a fallen tree, cleaning out a clogged culvert and fixing some gauge problems and replacing broken joint bars.

This work is being done to improve the line for the upcoming motorcar excursions, the weed spray truck expedition and further maintenance and improvements on the west end. As always, we have much to do and we need your help!!

We are planning a special workday on Monday, March 30.

We have some track issues that need to be addressed before the weed spray truck runs on or about April 21. We will be working out on the line to Bridge #2, installing several ties and placing a load of stone on the approach near Kirchner Road in New Freedom. There is loose and unsupported rail in this area that needs improvement before the first truck goes through.

After this project, we will still have the additional workday on Friday, April 10, as well as the work weekend on April 17–19 to continue making improvements and addressing right-of-way issues.

This is your railroad, and this is essential work to keep the line connected, safe, and ready for motorcar excursions and ongoing restoration efforts. We could use a strong crew, and this is a great opportunity for anyone who works weekends or is retired to come out and lend a hand.

If you have any questions or comments, please call or message David Williamson.

Please bring your lunch and dress for spring weather. It looks like it will be sunny with temperatures in the low 60s.

Thank you!

We will have our March work weekend next weekend, March 13, 14, and 15. The winter has been rough on us, with snow present on site or descending the last THREE work weekends! We have not been able to get out on the track and do any worthwhile work since November. We are looking forward to getting out on the line and starting our tie work program for 2026.

We will be installing switch timbers in the engine house switch and doing some tamping and leveling. We are also ready to do some work at the Bailey Springs Crossing and attempt to screw down the loose rail in the crossing. We have the rail clips and screw spikes ready for that job, as well as the proper sockets and pneumatic tools to get that done. We will have enough work on these two jobs to take up the weekend. There is much to do, and we need your help!

We will also be doing some equipment repairs. The air brake valves are done with their periodic servicing and can be replaced in locomotive #12, the dump truck hydraulic cylinder is done and can be replaced, and we are expecting to install the new reman hydraulic pump in the tie crane.

After the switch work is done, we will move out on the line in April and start putting ties in the Class I track to fill in some gaps there. We are looking for sold-out Bunny Trains. We have large expenditures coming up for insurance, crosstie purchases, and then an early summer/late spring thorough weed spray over the entire line!

The Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad are proud to participate in Give Local York 2026, raising funds to restore historic Passenger Coach No. 1341 — and we need your help!

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to sandblast, prime, and repaint the exterior of this well-traveled railcar. This essential work will protect the coach from corrosion, preserve its historic character, and keep it in active service for passengers to enjoy during our excursion trains.

Coach 1341 is an important part of the Stewartstown Railroad experience, helping us share York County’s rich railroading heritage with families, visitors, and rail enthusiasts alike. Your support ensures this history continues to roll down the tracks for years to come.

Help Us Reach Our Goal

Every donation makes a difference in preserving this living piece of history.

Click Here to Donate to the 2026 Give Local York Fundraiser

Thank you for supporting historic preservation, education, and community heritage through the Stewartstown Railroad.

To All:

The Stewartstown Railroad Track Crew finished up its scheduled work for the year this past weekend! Frozen ground precluded tie work.

The track crew traveled to Hungerford Station and removed the switch points, frog and associated hardware remains from the switch that went into the old Chase Wire Cloth building, loaded them up and brought them back to town for reuse.

The crew cut two rails to length to fill in the holes created by the removed switch components, bolted them together and set a few spikes to hold the gauge, keeping the main track complete and usable for motorcar runs, inspections and track maintenance equipment.

This was a job that needed doing for some time!! Tie conditions there are poor, we will schedule a day for next year to put some ties in, from the station East.

The crew then returned to Stewartstown and replaced some loose and worn frog bolts in the frog of the lower wye switch in front of the enginehouse.

We also installed the rebuilt arm extension cylinder on the tie crane and removed a bad starter from the Plasser Tamper as well as doing a thorough Friday afternoon track inspection.

We will take a break over the holidays and start the new year with our first January work weekend on January 16, 17 and 18. What we do depends on the ground conditions and weather in the winter months. We will have inside and outside work planned so be ready to come out and help get us started in 2026!

Thanks to everyone who came out this year and helped maintain and improve our railroad! Our best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Regards,

Dave Williamson