Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

What Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad does

The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad (M&H Railroad / MHRR) is a privately held heritage short-line railroad headquartered at the 1891 Station in Middletown, Pennsylvania, operating a 7-mile rail line between Middletown and Hummelstown in the Harrisburg-Hershey region. The company was originally formed in 1888, operated under the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad and Reading Company until 1976, and has run as an independent entity since then; tourist passenger service was added in 1986. Its core operations are bifurcated: commercial freight rail service for industrial customers along the line, with around-the-clock availability, trans-loading facilities, car storage, and a Middletown East End Warehouse Complex offering up to 100,000 square feet of industrial space with indoor rail siding for 8-10 rail cars, and a tourism business anchored by the Milk & Honey Express, a 1-hour, 11-mile round-trip narrated excursion along the Swatara Creek aboard 1920s Delaware, Lackawanna & Western passenger coaches.

The operating technology base is vintage and physical: four diesel locomotives (a 1955 General Electric unit for tourist service, plus 1956 Alco S6 and 1969 Alco T6 units for freight), historic Pullman Standard passenger equipment from 1916-1920, and additional vintage trolleys and a Canadian National #91 Mogul 2-6-0 steam engine in the preservation collection. The line connects to Norfolk Southern at Middletown (via Amtrak's Keystone Line) and at Hummelstown (via the former Reading Lebanon Valley Branch), giving the M&H electronic access to nearly all North American rail carriers through the Transportation Management System. Safety is documented by multiple consecutive years of the Jake Award from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

The revenue model combines transaction-fee freight contracts with one-time-fee tourism and ancillary sales. Tourist revenue is generated through the Milk & Honey Express (FareHarbor online ticketing, phone reservations, and on-site sales), seasonal special events (e.g., Ice Cream excursions), charter bookings for schools, daycares, seniors, and photo excursions, plus on-site gift shop and snack bar sales (with snack bar proceeds directed to historic equipment preservation). Freight revenue comes from railcar services and warehouse/industrial tenancy at the East End Complex. Distribution is direct-to-consumer for tourism and direct-sales for freight, supported by a website (mhrailroad.com), Facebook organic social, print brochures (2026 brochure released), and phone-based group reservations. The company serves a regional, Central Pennsylvania customer base with no disclosed expansion outside the existing 7-mile corridor.

Name

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Legal name

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad Company

Website

https://mhrailroad.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad is a privately held heritage short-line railroad operating a 7-mile freight and tourist line between Middletown and Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, serving industrial freight customers and tourism passengers via the Milk & Honey Express and warehouse complex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Short-Line Railroad Services

NAICS

Short Line Railroads (482112)

SIC

Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011)

akta.pro primary industry

Short Line & Regional Railroads (General Merchandise) (TLADACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tourist/Scenic/Heritage Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAG)

Keywords

• Heritage railroad
• Short-line freight
• Tourist train rides
• Vintage passenger coaches
• Rail freight services

Headquarters

HQ city

Middletown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Train Rides: The Milk & Honey Express offers 1-hour, 11-mile round-trip tourist train rides along the Swatara Creek in vintage 1920s coaches. Revenue generated from ticket sales via online booking system and phone reservations. Light refreshments available from on-board snack concession.
2. Freight Services: Provides freight rail services along the 7-mile line traversing Middletown, Lower Swatara Township, and Derry Township. Offers trans-loading facilities, car storage, and around-the-clock service to industrial customers. Connected to Norfolk Southern via interchanges.
3. Gift Shop & Merchandise: Station contains a gift shop selling merchandise to passengers. All proceeds from snack bar go to preservation of historic equipment.
4. Charter & Group Bookings: School classes, daycares, senior groups, and photo excursions are accommodated with charter bookings. Call for information and rates at 717-944-4435.
5. Warehouse & Industrial Services: Middletown East End Warehouse Complex offers up to 100,000 square feet of available space including indoor rail siding for 8-10 rail cars, trans-loading facilities, boxcar dock, and van docks. CAT certified truck scales available nearby.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad operates a 7-mile short-line railroad in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, providing commercial freight rail services with Norfolk Southern interchange connections and round-the-clock industrial customer support. Since 1986, it has also operated the Milk & Honey Express, a 1-hour, 11-mile round-trip tourist passenger train ride on vintage 1920s coaches along the Swatara Creek, supplemented by charter group bookings, special event rides, and a station gift shop.

Product overview

Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad operates as a heritage tourist railroad and regional freight carrier, offering two core services: the Milk & Honey Express tourist passenger train rides (launched 1986) and commercial freight transport (operating since 1976). The tourist operation uses vintage 1920s coaches on 1-hour narrated excursions along the Swatara Creek, while freight services connect industrial customers via Norfolk Southern to the broader North American rail network. Supporting offerings include charter/group bookings, seasonal special events, the Middletown East End Warehouse Complex for trans-loading and storage, and a station gift shop. The railroad also maintains a historic collection of locomotives, trolleys, and rolling stock.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Milk & Honey Express: The tourist passenger train service operated by M&H Railroad featuring 11-mile round-trip rides along the Swatara Creek on 1920s vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches departing from the 1891 Station in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Products and services

• Milk & Honey Express Historic tourist passenger train ride offering an 11-mile round-trip journey along the Swatara Creek aboard 1920s vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches, featuring 1-hour live narration about local history, Union Canal, and railroad heritage. Tickets sold online via FareHarbor, by phone, or at the 1891 Station ticket window.
• Freight Services Commercial freight rail service providing round-the-clock cargo transport for industrial customers along the 7-mile line between Middletown and Hummelstown, PA, with Norfolk Southern interchange connections enabling access to the broader North American rail network. Includes trans-loading facilities, car storage, and 2-hour call window responsiveness.
• Charters & Group Bookings Private charter bookings for school classes, daycares, senior groups, and photo excursions, with custom scheduling and group rates available by phone inquiry at 717-944-4435.
• Special Events Seasonal and themed event train rides including Ice Cream excursions and other special programming throughout the year.
• Middletown East End Warehouse Complex Industrial warehouse facility offering up to 100,000 square feet of available space with indoor rail siding for eight to ten rail cars, trans-load pads, boxcar dock, van docks, and 24/7 gated security for freight customers. CAT certified truck scales available nearby.
• Gift Shop On-site retail shop at the 1891 Station offering railroad memorabilia, gifts, and snack concessions for passengers before and after train rides. All proceeds from the snack bar go to preservation of historic equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11-mile round-trip tourist ride takes 1 hour with live historical narration
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Norfolk Southern Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe M&H is served by Norfolk Southern at Middletown via Amtrak's Keystone Line, and at Hummelstown via the former Reading Lebanon Valley Branch. This Class I railroad connection enables M&H to link with nearly all North American rail carriers through electronic connection to the Transportation Management System, providing essential network connectivity for freight customers.
• Amtrak (Keystone Line)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerM&H interchange at Middletown connects via Amtrak's Keystone Line, providing additional connectivity for freight operations and proximity to passenger rail infrastructure.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Age of Steam Roundhouse: Heritage rail museum and excursion operator in Sugarcreek, OH focused on vintage steam equipment preservation; comparable as a heritage rail operator and preservation organization with tourist programming.

Direct peers

• West Chester Railroad: Tourist excursion railroad in Chester County, PA, operating vintage equipment on a short-line route with seasonal themed events and station-based retail; comparable as a regional PA heritage tourist short line.
• Strasburg Rail Road: America's oldest operating railroad in Lancaster County, PA, running heritage tourist passenger service on a short-line rail with vintage equipment and a deep event programming calendar; directly comparable as a Pennsylvania heritage short-line tourist railroad.
• SMS Rail Service: New Jersey-based short-line railroad operating freight service and industrial switching with Class I connections; comparable as a regional short-line freight operator with industrial customer focus.
• Cass Scenic Railroad: West Virginia heritage railroad operating vintage geared steam locomotives over former logging railroads, combining tourist excursions with significant preservation and museum operations; directly comparable as a heritage short-line tourist operator with vintage equipment focus.
• Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad: Independent New York State short-line freight railroad operating on roughly 10 miles of track with Class I interchange and industrial trans-loading; directly comparable as an independent short-line freight operator with interchange-based economics.
• New Hope Railroad: Heritage tourist railroad operating vintage diesel-powered excursion trains in Bucks County, PA, on a short-line right-of-way with themed rides and event programming; directly comparable regional short-line tourist operator.
• Wellsboro & Corning Railroad: Tourist excursion railroad in north-central Pennsylvania operating on a former short-line route with vintage equipment and themed seasonal rides; directly comparable as a regional PA heritage tourist short line.

Broad incumbents

• Reading & Northern Railroad: Major Pennsylvania short-line and regional freight carrier with Class II operations, freight interchange, and a heritage passenger excursion program (Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway); overlaps with M&H on both freight short-line operations and tourist rail.

Others

• Strasburg Rail Road Shop & Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: Adjacent heritage rail institution adjacent to Strasburg Rail Road, focused on preservation of Pennsylvania railroad equipment; comparable as a regional heritage rail ecosystem participant but operates as a museum rather than active carrier.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MandHRailroad
• Xx.com/MHRailroad

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad