A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at the restored 1884 Depot located at 106 N Washington St, in Gettysburg. The community gathered to launch this historic rail experience. The event highlighted messages from Brandy D. Christian, CEO of Patriot Rail, who emphasized community collaboration and the shared vision that brought this project to life.

The celebration opened with a performance of ‘America the Beautiful’ by Kendall Whittington, a vocal talent from Gettysburg College.

Voices from across the region—including Gettysburg Borough Mayor Rita Frealing, Robert Turnauckas, from Patriot Rail, President of Destiantion Gettysburg, Karl Pietrzak, Main Street Gettysburg President, Jill Sellers, and Robert Iuliano, President of Gettysburg College—spoke about the importance of this partnership-driven initiative. From tourism development to educational collaboration, each speaker echoed a commitment to honoring the past while building for the future.

The Gettysburg Excursion Railway opens to the public on September 1st, offering visitors a new way to explore the rich cultural and historical landscape of Gettysburg.