The family packed up the car and headed to Gettysburg on July 4, stopping in New Freedom, PA, to see the York 17 replica 1860s Rogers 4-4-0 steam engine. It's been about 20 years since I last really visited Gettysburg, with only a few quick drive-throughs over that time. We had planned this trip a few months ago with the intention of using the opportunity to finally see the York 17. Here are a bunch of photos (out of order taken) from Gettysburg and a video of the York in action.
1st Minnesota Monument.
13th New Jersey (Paterson!) Monument.
20th Maine Left Flank Marker.
72nd Pennsylvania Monument on the last night.
Gen. Hancock Monument on Cemetery Hill.
Culp's Hill Breastworks.
Lt. Cushing Monument, The Angle.
Irish Brigade, New York Regiments, Monument.
McPherson Farm Looking Toward Seminary Ridge.
Gen. Warren Monument, Little Round Top.
The York 17.
One of the things that struck me--other than the thrill of seeing a real operating Civil War era locomotive--was how powerful the engine sounded when pulling into the station. During the switching moves, it never had to pull with power. But as you can hear from the start of the video, it sounds like the trains do in movies. I did not expect that. And for those of you who know The Great Locomotive Chase as well as my sons an I do, you'll notice a little easter egg in how my 6-year-old is waving to the train as it pulls into the station.
