Williams Grove Railroad in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesTrains run on WGHSEA show and event dates, including the December Christmas Train

The Williams Grove Railroad is the train ride of the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, where volunteers keep Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive 643 running alongside two 1953 diesels on the old Williams Grove picnic grounds near Mechanicsburg.

  • PRR steam locomotive 643
  • 643 marked its 125th birthday in 2026
  • Run a Locomotive program on #52
  • Christmas Train with Santa aboard
  • Association formed 1958 to 1959

Williams Grove Railroad at a glance

Hours
Trains run on event dates; check wghsea.org for the schedule
Admission
Prices vary by event; check wghsea.org
Train rides
Steam and diesel train rides during association events; Christmas Train in December
Seasonal events
Christmas Train, Train Show and 643 Birthday, Ole Train Days, Steam Show, Spring Show, Touch-a-Truck, Tractor, Train, Fall Fest, Easter Egg Hunt, Diesel Smoke Showdown
Best for
Steam fans and families looking for a holiday train
Best ages
All ages

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Williams Grove 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 Mechanicsburg.

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.

From a farmers' picnic grove to a steam railroad

The grove that gives the railroad its name has hosted crowds for a long time. The Williams family began holding picnics at a small grove near Mechanicsburg in 1850, and in 1873 the Cumberland Valley Railroad, which operated the new Dillsburg and Mechanicsburg Railroad, leased the grove with plans to make it a resort. Railroads and Williams Grove have been tied together ever since.

During the winter of 1958 to 1959, a group of enthusiasts formed the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association to preserve steam-powered equipment and teach the public about the history of farming. In 1959 they approached the Richwine family for a place to display and operate their antique machines and to revive the Great Grangers' Picnic. The association acquired a Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive and began offering train rides alongside its steam engine shows, and the railroad has now carried passengers for more than 60 years.

The volunteers have kept adding to the roster. Diesel #8, a Whitcomb built in 1953, came from Pennsylvania Power and Light in the 1980s and carried the passenger trains from 2001 to 2006 while 643 was out of service. In December 2010 the association bought #52, a Vulcan Iron Works center cab diesel. On June 20, 2026, community leaders, supporters and guests gathered to celebrate 643's 125th birthday, with recognition from Monroe Township, Cumberland County and state legislators, an update on the Carousel House project, and honors for longtime contributors including Jim Richwine and Bill Medlin.

Steam, diesel and a whole show ground around them

The star is Pennsylvania Railroad 643, the steam locomotive that pulls passenger trains through the grounds. Diesel #52, a 65-ton center cab built in 1953 by the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre, backs it up and serves as primary passenger power on certain dates. Diesel #8, a Whitcomb 25DM from 1953, does most of the switching and track work and sometimes pulls passenger trains too.

The railroad is one part of a much larger steam and farm history grounds. The association runs steam engines for plowing, harvesting and sawing, and shows early gas engines and tractors. Depending on when you come, you may find the Spring Show, Ole Train Days, a train show, Touch-a-Truck, tractor pulls, the big late summer Steam Show, Fall Fest or the Christmas Train. A souvenir stand sells a book on the railroad's history.

Don’t miss

  1. Pennsylvania Railroad 643The association's steam locomotive and the heart of the railroad, celebrated with a 125th birthday party in June 2026.
  2. Diesel #52A 65-ton Vulcan center cab built in 1953 for Pennsylvania Power and Light. Vulcan built only 54 diesels over 25 tons, and the public can run this one through the Run a Locomotive program.
  3. Diesel #8One of the last locomotives built under the Whitcomb name before production ended in December 1953, it kept the railroad running from 2001 to 2006.
  4. The Christmas TrainSanta rides along, each ticket includes hot chocolate and a cookie, and there is a campfire to warm up by afterward.
  5. The railroad history bookA $12 book covering the past 60 years of the Williams Grove Railroad, sold at the souvenir stand.

Steam whistles, Santa and big machines

Kids get a real steam train ride here, plus plenty of other machines to watch on show days, from steam tractors to sawmills. Touch-a-Truck, Tractor, Train in June is made for small hands, and the Easter Egg Hunt and Fall Fest add more family days to the calendar.

The Christmas Train is the family favorite: Santa is on board, everyone gets hot chocolate and a cookie, and a campfire waits at the end. One recent rider described it as cozy, low-key and festive, especially for the price. For older kids and adults, the Run a Locomotive program on diesel #52 is a once-in-a-lifetime treat.

Plan your visit: tips for Williams Grove Railroad

  • Use 1 Steam Engine Hill, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 for GPS; mail goes to PO Box 509.
  • Check the events calendar on wghsea.org, since trains run on event dates rather than a daily schedule.
  • Ask about the Run a Locomotive program if someone in your group dreams of being an engineer.
  • Pick up the railroad history book at the souvenir stand, or order it by mail.

The Christmas Train is the railroad's big holiday tradition. In 2026 it was scheduled for December 5 and December 12, with Santa Claus riding along, a complimentary hot chocolate and cookie with every ticket, and a campfire to gather around afterward. Tickets and current dates are posted by the association, and our guide to Christmas train rides in Pennsylvania lists more holiday trips around the state.

The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association

The railroad is run by the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, a member organization led by an elected slate of officers and a board of directors. Its volunteers keep the locomotives, track and show grounds going. You can help by joining the association, coming to a show, buying the railroad history book, or donating through the association's website.

More rail stops around Harrisburg

The East Penn Railway Historical Society is about 8 miles away, and the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is about 15 miles across the river. To the south, the Northern Central Railway of York is about 37 miles. Find more on our page of train museums and railroads in Pennsylvania.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

At Williams Grove, Santa climbs aboard the Christmas Train and greets everyone along the way. In our book it is Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform who holds out a hand to Rally, and I think kids feel the same little thrill when a grown-up on the train smiles right at them. My mom knew that feeling well. You can read how her idea became a book on our story page.

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 Williams Grove 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.

Williams Grove Railroad: 20 questions riders ask

What is the Williams Grove Railroad?

The Williams Grove Railroad is the heritage railroad of the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. It runs Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive 643 plus two 1953 diesels, offering train rides during the association's shows and special events. The association has operated the railroad for more than 60 years.

What is the Williams Grove Railroad schedule?

The railroad runs on event dates rather than a daily timetable. The 2026 calendar included a Train Show and 643 birthday on June 20, the Steam Show from August 29 to September 6, Fall Fest October 23 to 25, and Christmas Train dates on December 5 and 12. Check wghsea.org for ride times on each date.

How do I ride the Williams Grove train?

Train rides are offered during the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association's events on its grounds at 1 Steam Engine Hill, Mechanicsburg. Pick an event from the calendar on wghsea.org, then check that page for ride times and ticket details. For questions, call (717) 766-4001.

Where is the Williams Grove Railroad?

The railroad is on the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association grounds at 1 Steam Engine Hill, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, which is the address to use for GPS. The mailing address is PO Box 509, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055. The grounds sit at the historic Williams Grove picnic site in Cumberland County.

Is there a Williams Grove Railroad map?

The association does not post a route map online. The track runs on the association's show grounds at 1 Steam Engine Hill. For a grounds map on event days, check the event pages on wghsea.org or ask at the grounds when you arrive.

What is Williams Grove Railroad locomotive 643?

Locomotive 643 is the Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive that the association runs as its main passenger engine. It marked its 125th birthday on June 20, 2026 with a celebration that drew community leaders and supporters, along with recognition from Monroe Township, Cumberland County and state legislators. It was out of service from 2001 to 2006.

What is Williams Grove Railroad engine 52?

Engine #52 is a 65-ton center cab diesel electric built in 1953 by the Vulcan Iron Works for Pennsylvania Power and Light, where it was number 3347. It became surplus after the Martins Creek plant switched from coal to natural gas, and the association bought it in December 2010. It backs up 643 and sometimes pulls passenger trains.

Can you drive a locomotive at Williams Grove Railroad?

Yes. Diesel #52 is available to the general public through the association's Run a Locomotive program, so visitors can take the controls of a 1953 Vulcan center cab diesel. For booking, dates and cost, call (717) 766-4001 or check wghsea.org.

What is engine 8 at Williams Grove Railroad?

Engine #8 is a Whitcomb class 25DM diesel mechanical locomotive built in 1953, among the last built under the Whitcomb name. It came from Pennsylvania Power and Light, was rebuilt in the 1990s with a more powerful Cummins engine, and served as the main locomotive from 2001 to 2006. Today it mostly handles switching and track work.

How do I get Williams Grove Christmas train tickets?

Christmas Train tickets are sold through the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association, and current dates and ticketing are posted on wghsea.org. In 2026 the Christmas Train was scheduled for December 5 and December 12. Each ticket includes a complimentary hot chocolate and cookie, so watch for sales opening ahead of the season.

What is the Williams Grove Christmas train like?

Santa Claus rides on board, every ticket includes a hot chocolate and cookie, and a campfire waits at the end so families can warm up. A recent rider described it as fun, cozy, low-key and festive, especially for the price. It is a relaxed holiday outing rather than a long scenic trip.

What is the Williams Grove train show?

The Train Show is one of the association's annual events, and in 2026 it was held on June 20 together with locomotive 643's 125th birthday celebration. The event calendar on wghsea.org lists current dates. Pair it with a train ride to make a full railroad day at the grounds.

What are Ole Train Days at Williams Grove?

Ole Train Days is listed among the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association's yearly events on its calendar. Program details and the date change each year, so check the events page on wghsea.org or call (717) 766-4001 for the current year's plans.

What else happens at Williams Grove besides the train?

The association uses steam engines for plowing, harvesting and sawing and shows early gas engines and tractors. Its yearly calendar includes the Spring Show and craft fair, tractor pulls, Touch-a-Truck, Tractor, Train, the multi-day Steam Show around Labor Day, Fall Fest, an Easter Egg Hunt and a Christmas Parade.

Is Williams Grove Railroad good for kids?

Yes. Kids get a real steam train ride, and family days like Touch-a-Truck, Tractor, Train, the Easter Egg Hunt and the Christmas Train are built around them. Show days also bring steam tractors and sawmills to watch. Dress for the outdoors, since the railroad and show grounds are open air.

How much does the Williams Grove train ride cost?

Ride prices are posted by event and can differ from one event to the next. Check the event listing on wghsea.org for current prices before you go, or call (717) 766-4001. A recent Christmas Train rider described the holiday ride as good value for the price.

Who runs the Williams Grove Railroad?

The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association runs the railroad. The association formed during the winter of 1958 to 1959 to preserve steam powered equipment and teach the history of farming, and it is led by elected officers and a board of directors. Volunteers keep the trains and grounds running.

When did trains start running at Williams Grove?

The association began in 1958 to 1959 and in 1959 approached the Richwine family for a place to show its antique steam equipment and revive the Great Grangers' Picnic. It acquired a Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive and began offering rides, and a history book covers the past 60 years of the Williams Grove Railroad.

Is there a Williams Grove Railroad history book?

Yes. A book on the past 60 years of the Williams Grove Railroad costs $12 and is sold at the souvenir stand. It can also be mailed for $5 shipping by contacting camping@wghsea.org, or ordered through the association's online store linked from its website.

What train rides are near Williams Grove Railroad?

The Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is about 15 miles away, and the Northern Central Railway of York is about 37 miles south. The Stewartstown Railroad and the Ma and Pa Railroad Heritage Village are each roughly 40 miles away, and the East Penn Railway Historical Society is about 8 miles from the grounds.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
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