New Hope Railroad Santa Steam Spectacular featuring NH&I 2-8-0 40

As usual, the New Hope Railroad (Formerly the New Hope & Ivyland) operated their Christmas trains over the railroad between New Hope and Lahaska, PA, not far from Peddlers Village. The diesel-powered North Pole Express and the Santa Steam Spectacular, powered by 2-8-0 #40. The New Hope Railroad suffered quite a blow on September 1st, when the destructive remnants of Hurricane Ida brought wind, tornadoes and historically heavy rain to the area, overflowing the Aquetong Creek and flooding out homes along it and the railroad's right of way. Signs of rebuilding continue along the railroad, especially closer to New Hope along Mechanic Street, but the show went on throughout the fall and winter. I made two different trips around Christmas to catch a few runs, with lovely weather for both of them.. With a short day at work on December 23rd, I was able to catch the 2 PM trip of the Steam Powered trip leaving town, catching them along Mechanic Street, Reeder Road and arriving in Lahaska. The 40 sounded wonderful, especially climbing the hill at Reeder. The day after Christmas, Sunday the 26th, I was able to dedicate more time to the railroad. I started out catching the Steam Spectacular's 10 AM trip at Sugan Road and across the field in Lahaska. At noon, I chose a different perspective for the 40, catching it just east of Reeder Road with nice stack talk, even for a shortened post-holiday consist, even catching the 1 PM trip with GP30 2198 here. At 2 PM, I was able to see the train crossing Ferry Street in New Hope, passing the nicely decorated gate at Lenape Park, before catching the train at Lower Mountain Road and again at Lahaska as the train departed. The railroad's sharply painted red caboose brings up the rear of the train in the final shot, an appropriate end to the train watching day, and the year. Thanks for watching! Time stamps. 00:35 - Mechanic Street, New Hope (12/23) 02:13 - Reeder Road, New Hope (12/23) 03:30 - Lahaska, PA (12/23) 04:26 - Sugan Road, New Hope, PA (12/26) 05:53 - Lahaska, PA (12/26) 06:58 - East of Reeder Road (12/26) 08:32 - NH&I 2198 at Reeder 09:50 - Ferry Street, New Hope, PA (12/26) 12:30 - Lower Mountain Road (12/26) 13:35 - Lahaska, PA Going Away (12/26)