Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Middletown, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesMilk & Honey Express and special event trains on posted 2026 dates

The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is a shortline freight railroad between its two namesake boroughs that has also carried passengers since 1986, on a narrated ride along Swatara Creek and the towpath of the 1827 Union Canal.

  • Line built in 1890
  • Passenger trips since 1986
  • 11-mile narrated round trip
  • 1920s Lackawanna coaches
  • 1891 station with gift shop
  • Still hauls freight daily

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad at a glance

Hours
Train times are on the railroad's 2026 schedule and brochure
Admission
Fares are listed on the railroad's schedule page; tickets online or by phone (Visa, MasterCard)
Train rides
Milk & Honey Express, an 11-mile narrated round trip of about 1 hour
Seasonal events
Pumpkin patch trains, Special event trains
Plan for
About 1.5 hours with time at the station
Best for
Families and anyone interested in canal and railroad history
Best ages
Ages 3 and up
Accessibility
The station has modern ADA restrooms

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Middletown.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A seven-mile shortline that never stopped working

Local businessmen formed the original Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Company in 1888, and the line between the two boroughs was finished in 1890. For most of the next century it belonged to the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, later the Reading Company, serving the farms and industries along Swatara Creek.

In 1976, as the Reading's railroad operations ended, the current Middletown & Hummelstown became an independent company running the seven-mile line for freight. It started with one diesel locomotive and two employees. Freight service has carried on without interruption ever since, with Norfolk Southern connections at Middletown, on Amtrak's Keystone Line, and at Hummelstown, on the former Reading Lebanon Valley Branch. The railroad calls itself the small railroad with a big heart.

Tourist passenger trains began in 1986, and over the years the M&H has gathered an impressive collection: Lackawanna coaches from the 1910s and 1920s, a 1925 Pullman sleeper named Orange State, cabooses from the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, and a group of trolleys from Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Dallas, York and even Rio de Janeiro. Proceeds from the snack bar go to preserving that historic equipment.

Along the canal towpath to Hummelstown

The Milk & Honey Express boards at the railroad's 1891 station in Middletown, built as a freight station and later converted for passengers. It has a ticket window, a gift shop, modern ADA restrooms and a porch for visiting before the train leaves. Passengers ride in 1920s vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches.

The train heads north toward Hummelstown along the towpath of the Union Canal, completed in 1827, and much of the old canal is still visible beside the quiet Swatara. A live narrator covers the canal, the railroad and local lore, including the folklore of Horse Thief Cave. On the return trip, crew members come through to chat and answer questions, and a snack concession sells light refreshments. The whole ride covers 11 miles and takes about an hour.

Don’t miss

  1. Canadian National No. 91A 1910 Mogul 2-6-0 steam locomotive, the most famous engine on the roster, though it is out of service at this time.
  2. The Union Canal remainsLong stretches of the 1827 canal still sit beside Swatara Creek, and the narration explains what you are seeing.
  3. The 1891 Middletown stationA former freight station turned passenger depot, with a porch, gift shop and ticket window.
  4. Pullman sleeper Orange StateA 1925 Pullman Standard sleeping car, part of the railroad's passenger car collection.
  5. The trolley collectionCars from Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Dallas, York and two 1909 trams from Rio de Janeiro are on the roster.

A one-hour ride with stories and snacks

At about an hour, the Milk & Honey Express is a comfortable ride for kids, and the narration is full of things to spot, from canal locks to the Horse Thief Cave story. The snack concession helps, and so do the modern restrooms at the station.

In fall, the railroad says everyone gets a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch on its pumpkin trains. Check the special event schedule for dates.

Plan your visit: tips for Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

  • Buy tickets online or by phone at (717) 944-4435; Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
  • Trains run in all weather; cancellations are rare and decided with local authorities.
  • Allow extra travel time when the weather is bad.
  • Arrive early to browse the gift shop or sit on the station porch.

Along with the regular Milk & Honey Express, the M&H posts a special event schedule each year, including fall pumpkin trains where every rider gets a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Check the 2026 brochure on the railroad's site for dates, and see our list of Halloween and pumpkin train rides in Pennsylvania for more autumn ideas.

A small crew with a big collection

The M&H is an independent company with a freight crew that keeps the line running around the clock, and the passenger trains help pay for the old equipment: every dollar from the on-board snack bar goes toward preservation. Riding, shopping the station gift shop and following the railroad's Facebook page for news are the easiest ways to support it.

Train days around Harrisburg and Hershey

The Williams Grove Railroad near Mechanicsburg is about 15 miles away. Heading south, the Northern Central Railway of York is about 31 miles, and the Strasburg Rail Road is about 33 miles east. Our page of Pennsylvania train museums lists many more.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The coaches on this line are about a hundred years old, built in the days when train steps were steep and tall. I always think of the page in our book where Rally stands at the bottom of the train stairs, too short to make the climb, and Dad scoops him up for a boost. Old trains ask for a little help from the grown-ups, and that is part of the fun. Our coloring pages include that scene.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

What is Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad No. 91?

No. 91 is a Canadian National 2-6-0 Mogul steam locomotive built in 1910 and listed on the M&H roster. The railroad says it is out of service at this time, so tourist trains are pulled by diesels, mainly a 1955 General Electric locomotive. Follow the railroad's Facebook page for any news about No. 91.

What is on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad roster?

The roster lists locomotives No. 1 (GE, 1941), No. 2 (GE, 1955), No. 66 (GE, 1948), steam No. 91 (1910), Alco S-6 No. 151 (1956) and Alco T-6 No. 1016 (1969). It also includes nine trolleys, Lackawanna coaches and a combine, the Pullman sleeper Orange State, freight cars, and Jersey Central and Lehigh Valley cabooses.

What is the Milk & Honey Express?

The Milk & Honey Express is the M&H's regular passenger train: an 11-mile, one-hour round trip along Swatara Creek with live narration about the area, the Union Canal and the railroad. Passengers ride in 1920s Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches from the 1891 station in Middletown.

How much are Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad tickets?

Current fares are listed on the railroad's schedule page and 2026 brochure at mhrailroad.com, but they were not in the information we reviewed. Tickets can be bought online or by phone at (717) 944-4435, and the railroad accepts Visa and MasterCard.

Where does the Middletown & Hummelstown train board?

Trains board at the railroad's 1891 station in Middletown, Pennsylvania, a former freight station converted for passengers. A trip guide places it on Brown Street. Check the Directions page at mhrailroad.com or call (717) 944-4435 to confirm the boarding address and parking before you go.

How long is the Middletown & Hummelstown train ride?

The Milk & Honey Express lasts about one hour and covers 11 miles round trip, running north from Middletown toward Hummelstown and back. Allow extra time to arrive, pick up tickets and visit the station gift shop before boarding.

What will I see on the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad?

The train follows the towpath of the Union Canal, finished in 1827, along Swatara Creek, and much of the canal is still visible. Narration covers the canal, the railroad, Horse Thief Cave folklore and other south-central Pennsylvania history. Crew members take questions on the return trip.

When was the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad built?

Local businessmen formed the original company in 1888, and the line between Middletown and Hummelstown was completed in 1890. It was part of the Philadelphia & Reading, later the Reading Company, until 1976, when the current independent M&H took over the seven-mile line.

Does the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad still haul freight?

Yes. Freight has run without interruption since the independent M&H began in 1976 with one locomotive and two employees. It now connects with Norfolk Southern at Middletown via Amtrak's Keystone Line and at Hummelstown via the former Reading Lebanon Valley Branch. Freight questions go to freight@mhrailroad.com.

When did passenger trains start on the Middletown & Hummelstown?

Tourist passenger service began in 1986, ten years after the current company took over the line. Today's Milk & Honey Express continues that tradition with narrated trips in vintage coaches, running alongside the railroad's everyday freight work.

Does the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad have trolleys?

Yes, its roster lists nine trolleys, including cars from the South Brooklyn Railway, Brooklyn Rapid Transit, Philadelphia Rapid Transit, Philadelphia Suburban, Dallas Railway & Terminal, York Railways and two 1909 trams from Rio de Janeiro. The information we reviewed does not say they carry passengers.

Is the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad accessible?

The 1891 station has modern ADA restrooms. Accessibility on board the vintage 1920s coaches is not described in the information we reviewed, so call (717) 944-4435 before your trip to ask about boarding help, wheelchairs and seating.

Is the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad good for kids?

Yes. The one-hour ride is a manageable length, the narration has stories like Horse Thief Cave, and there is a snack concession on board. The station has restrooms and a porch. On fall pumpkin trains, the railroad says everyone gets a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.

Does the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad run a pumpkin train?

Yes. The railroad's 2026 materials say everyone gets a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch on its fall pumpkin trains. Dates and fares are on the special event schedule and brochure at mhrailroad.com, so check there or call (717) 944-4435.

Does the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad run in bad weather?

Yes. Trains operate in all kinds of weather, and cancellations are rare. When they happen, the decision is made with local authorities and the National Weather Service. The railroad suggests allowing extra travel time when conditions are poor.

Is there food on the Middletown & Hummelstown train?

Light refreshments are sold at an on-board snack concession, and all proceeds go to preserving the railroad's historic equipment. Bring a payment card or cash for snacks, and check the gift shop at the station before or after the ride.

Does the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad have a gift shop?

Yes. The 1891 station in Middletown has a gift shop along with the ticket window and restrooms. Visitors can browse before the train leaves or relax on the station porch and chat with other riders.

What locomotive pulls the Middletown & Hummelstown tourist train?

The M&H mainly uses a 1955 General Electric diesel for tourist trains. A 1956 Alco S-6 or 1969 Alco T-6 may occasionally pull passengers, but those usually handle freight to the Norfolk Southern connections. The railroad may change equipment as conditions require.

How do I contact the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad?

Call (717) 944-4435 for tickets and general questions, or use the contact form at mhrailroad.com. The freight agent is reached at extension 102 or freight@mhrailroad.com. The railroad also shares news, photos and videos on its Facebook page.

What train attractions are near the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad?

The Williams Grove Railroad near Mechanicsburg is about 15 miles away. The Ma & Pa Railroad Heritage Village, Stewartstown Railroad and Northern Central Railway of York are about 30 miles south, and Strasburg's Choo Choo Barn, Strasburg Rail Road and Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania are about 33 miles away.

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