Epic Civil War Reenactment -- Lincoln's Funeral Train

This was the first, and hopefully annual, reenactment of the journey of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train at the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. Not exactly a battle reenactment, but one still intimately connected with Civil War history. This reenactment was held April 22, 2019 on what remains of just over half a mile of the same railbed that the actual train traveled over. Therefore, it took place at the very location and on the very day that Lincoln's funeral train passed through on its way from Washington D.C. to Springfield, IL 154 years ago. At the head of this reenactment was the Leviathan, a 4-4-0 replica of the actual Leviathan owned and operated by the Central Pacific Railroad from 1868 to the early 1900s. But the pride and joy of the event was a complete reproduction of the presidential funeral car, accurate down to the carpeting and coffin. Funny thing is, I think I got more footage of the Leviathan than the funeral car, which betrays where my unconscious attention really was. LOL! I included a quick speech at the end of the video by a reenactor (portraying Grant?) commemorating the first public appearance of the reproduction funeral car.

Oh yes, and to beat the commentators to it, I know: wooh wooh at 2:05. The train whistle always blew out my audio. Those of you with headphones, beware.

[ballparkburgers]

Wow that battle was truly epic... I can’t believe there was only one casualty

[kupferbergbahn]

It's great to see that Leviathan is running again! Her wheels looked rusted though... At least she's got a permanent home now and can help in recreating scenes like this!

[BD]

This is absolutely terrifying - you hear that thing coming down the line, you know a ghost is coming to get you tonight. Anyone who even sees this video will probably get a visit from Lincoln when they tuck themselves into bed later. A true haunting.

[ZAV]

All she needs is a Diamond Stack and a pilot made of Horizontal bars and she'll look just like PRR No. 331, one of the locomotives that actually pulled Lincoln's funeral train.

[silversilversilver]

That is one loud whistle. I can hear it at my house which is about a mile away.

[benjiethenub]

The *WOOH WOOH* sounds like a kid screaming wooooh

[polarjet]

Damn man, even the trains whistle sounds sad

[Deutche_Reenactment]

Wow, this was really cool. Hopefully I can go see it next time it happens!

[corporaltommy]

I am guessing the guy given that speech is supposed to be Ulysses S. Grant

[SantaFe]

Nice video! I have been to this place before!

[exohauler]

Truly majestic. Thanks for sharing. aloha

[coalandsteelrailroadvideos]

Wonder how often they’re going to run this

[SonicDashie]

Is that funeral car the same replica that's trying to be put in a museum?

[boxyice]

Wow I did not know general grant was alive in 21st century and not president yet

[jamesschad]

I am a real life cousin of Abraham Lincoln via Nancy Hanks

[dimitrilensflareabrams]

Lincoln was such an awesome 16th president that they gave his funeral carriage 16 wheels haha.