SOUTH MOUNTAIN GREENWAY, A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY RAILS-TO-TRAILS
Launched in 2016, the South Mountain Trolley Greenway initiative aims to study and develop a trail along the route of the former Dillsburg Branch of the Cumberland Valley Railroad between Mechanicsburg and Dillsburg. Since then, a growing regional coalition of support has been researching and planning across the Cumberland and York County borders. In 2021, the South Mountain Trolley Greenway officially became an initiative of the Cumberland Valley Rails-to-Trails Council, giving the Greenway greater ability to promote and fundraise.
To donate via check make the check payable to CVRTC, be sure to note “South Mountain Greenway” in the memo field, and mail your check to:
Friends of the South Mountain Trolley Greenway
P.O. Box 56
Grantham, PA 17027
You have an amazing opportunity to help explore the development of a trail that could one day connect Mechanicsburg to Dillsburg, and we need your help!
This potential trail would highlight the heritage and beautiful scenery – those things that so many of us love about our communities, while giving us all a place for convenient, safe, healthy, and beautiful recreation.
We look forward to having you come along for the ride, you’ll love the view. We have several ways we’d invite you to support the group.
- Click here to join our mailing list.
- Consider attending a South Mountain Greenway committee meeting
- Join us for a workday.
- Donate to this effort directly via Paypal.
- Follow our group on Facebook!
Email southmountaintrolleygreenway@gmail.com to contact the committee directly.
HERITAGE + HEALTH & RECREATION + ECONOMY
Completed in 1872, the Dillsburg Branch of the Cumberland Valley Railroad extended 8 miles and connected the vital rail network at Harrisburg with the ore fields of South Mountain, surrounding Dillsburg. Later, passenger service to both communities helped them prosper and grow, while the annual Granger’s Picnic at Williams Grove continuously attracted tens of thousands of train riders over the course of the one week event. In the early 20th Century, the branch became incorporated into the larger Pennsylvania Railroad system, and was one of the first lines to be electrified by the PRR in 1906 with a network of overhead wires. Repurposed passenger cars were outfitted with self-propelled electric motors, and soon electrified “trolleys” began passenger service between the towns. Trolleys across the farmland of Monroe and Carroll townships became a common sight.
Eventually, as the automobile grew in popularity, Trolley service on the branch began to fade into history. By the late 1970’s all trains had ceased running on the line, and the tracks were removed by the early 1980’s.
Today, this somewhat forgotten story and railroad corridor presents the South Mountain region with a truly unique opportunity to link the historic communities once again. Riding the momentum, and with examples of the widely popular and successful Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, the Letort Nature Trail (along the former Reading RR line), and the York County Heritage Rail Trail, the South Mountain Trolley Greenway offers an opportunity to continue to develop a regional system of connected trails and open space.The potential to connect with trails such as the 9/11 Memorial Trail, the Mason-Dixon Trail, the Appalachian Trail, State Bicycle Route J2, and the Yellow Breeches Water Trail, to name a few, offer fascinating opportunities to both trail users and communities.