Patriot Rail Unveils Fourth Excursion Train (UPDATED 9/8)
The Gettysburg Excursion Railway features fully renovated 1950s-era Budd passenger coaches, including a café car.
“Today’s inaugural run is the moment we’ve been working toward with our hospitality partners and the local community,“ said Robert Turnauckas, President Patriot Rail Excursions. “We’re thrilled to welcome our first official passengers aboard to experience Gettysburg’s history form the comfort of a beautifully restored railcar.”
According to Patriot Rail, ticket holders experience views of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial and Gettysburg’s countryside, plus narration about Adams County history including Civil War figures and events. The 60-minute ride departs from the restored former Gettysburg & Harrisburg Railroad Depot built in 1884. The company will also offer themed rides and special onboard events, catered by the Gettysburg College culinary group and Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel & Conference Center. Also available: private event space and a Depot gift shop.
Patriot Rail entered the excursion business ten years ago with the Blue Ridge Scenic Excursion Railway based in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Blue Ridge, Ga., and McCaysville, Tenn. In 2023, it added two New Hampshire excursion trains in Lincoln and Meredith, which operate over 54 miles of track, and a Rail Bike adventure in Laconia, N.H.
“This launch marks an exciting new chapter in Patriot Rail’s Excursion Division growth and its commitment to supporting the communities we serve,” said Brandy Christian, CEO of Patriot Rail, which operates 31 short lines across the United States. “We’re proud to enhance tourism by inviting guests to experience the rich history of one of America’s most iconic landscapes—aboard a passenger railcar journeying through the Adams County countryside.”
“The Gettysburg Excursion Railway is more than a train ride—it’s a moving tribute to the stories that shaped our nation,” added Karl Pietrzak, President and CEO of Destination Gettysburg. “As both residents and visitors travel this historic route, they’ll connect with the past in a way that’s immersive, educational, and truly memorable.”
