Gettysburg Railroad
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Founder | Robert McCurdy, Josiah Benner, Henry Myers |
| Defunct | 1871 |
| Fate | Acquired by Susquehanna, Gettysburg and Potomac Railway |
| Headquarters | Gettysburg , United States |
Area served | Pennsylvania |
| Products | Rail transport services |
The Gettysburg Railroad operated within Pennsylvania from 1858 until 1870, covering a main route of 17 miles (27 km) connecting Gettysburg and Hanover Junction. In 1870, it transitioned into the Susquehanna, Gettysburg & Potomac Railway, and its rail lines were subsequently absorbed by the Hanover Junction, Hanover and Gettysburg Railroad in 1874, followed by the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railway in 1886, and eventually the Western Maryland Railway in 1917. Presently, this corridor forms part of CSX's Hanover Subdivision.
History
The Gettysburg Railroad Company was chartered on March 4, 1851, through the efforts of businessmen Robert McCurdy, Josiah Benner, and Henry Myers. Construction commenced on February 22, 1856, with the issuance of the initial mortgage occurring in 1857. The segment between Hanover Junction and New Oxford began operation on January 6, 1858, while passenger services had already reached Adams County by September 1857. Work extended from New Oxford starting June 24, 1858; by November 29 of that year, a locomotive arrived in Gettysburg. Service originating from Goulden's Station was initiated on September 27, culminating with the completion of the line into Gettysburg on December 1, 1858. Until June 12, 1859, operations were overseen by the Hanover Branch Railroad.
The final rail was driven in Gettysburg on December 16, 1858, coinciding with a formal reception for visitors from Baltimore arriving there. The contract for constructing the Gettysburg Railroad Station was awarded in autumn of 1858 and the station opened its doors in May 1859 following a notable disturbance at the railroad site in December 1858.
These foundational infrastructure efforts established a platform for the company’s commercial expansion and its strategic role within Pennsylvania’s rail network.
Civil War
On June 27, 1863, just before the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate troops disrupted service by destroying the nearby Rock Creek bridge at Gettysburg. Later that year on November 18, President Lincoln traveled via this railroad to participate in the dedication ceremony of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, where he famously delivered the Gettysburg Address.
Successors
The Gettysburg Railroad was acquired by the Susquehanna, Gettysburg and Potomac Railway on January 20, 1871. In 1874, it merged with the Hanover Branch Railroad forming the Hanover Junction, Hanover and Gettysburg Railroad. This company combined with the Bachman Valley Railroad in 1886 to create the Baltimore and Harrisburg Railway. Subsequently, in 1917, this railway became part of the Western Maryland Railway, which joined the Chessie System in 1973 before ultimately becoming incorporated into CSX Transportation on November 1, 1980.