From Train Tracks to Rail Trail
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
by Meagan Cassel
[Originally published in the Spring 2026 issue of Mount Gretna Magazine. View the full issue to see this story in its designed layout, complete with additional images.]
Born in a picnic grove in the woods in 1883, Mount Gretna’s humble story began as a recreational stop along the Cornwall & Lebanon Railroad. Until that point, the tracks had transported iron products, but it wasn’t long before a new passenger service carried flocks of visitors to the blossoming town.
The railroad station expanded as services grew, home to six tracks plus the Mount Gretna Narrow Gauge Railroad. It was the hub of Gretna’s connections in its time, welcoming all who enjoyed the growing amusements and arts when railroads were the primary way to access them.
As new transportation evolved over the years, passenger service was discontinued. Decades later, in 1972, Hurricane Agnes flooded sections of the track, marking the line’s demise.
As it turns out, though, the railroad’s bed would pave the way for new modes of transportation — walkers, bikers, and even horses.
In 1996, Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails, Inc. was established. Its mission was to convert the former railroad corridor into a public multi-use trail, providing a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for community well-being.
What began as a five-mile stretch of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail has expanded to 20 miles and 10 trailheads, with final phases underway to connect one end of the county to the other. An army of 80 volunteers tackles maintenance, including mowing, weeding, and clearing fallen trees.
Watching the trail’s popularity grow — most notably since the pandemic — has been heartwarming for founder and president John B. Wengert. “We’re up to 300,000 annual users,” he says. “It’s for all ages and all abilities. We see little kids, strollers, cross-country teams, and Cornwall Manor residents. That’s the best part.”
Meagan Cassel lives in Mount Gretna with her husband and two children. They are often found biking and hiking with their dog under the canopy of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail.
For more:
To support this work, you can donate at LebanonRailTrail.com or the Root Beer Barrel in Cornwall. Mark your calendar for the trail’s 30th anniversary celebration on June 6.
