East Broad Top Railroad, big announcement on February 14th.

Man; I hope this news is what I’ve been wishing for.  Ross Rowland posted a brief response over on TO that sure seems positive.

Curt

WOW! Fantastic news! Lots of info at Trains magazine website right now.

Their OFFICAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I wish my dad was alive to hear this news. I took this pic of him standing in front of #15 in the Summer of '84:

It is wonderful to know that #15 will run again and that this scene will again be alive:

I took this pic Summer 2010.

Awesome news!

A great Valentines Day present for narrow gauge steam fans!

Curt

That is great news, indeed!

WOW, I have ridden this line many times.  Got into the coal breaker at Mt. Union. Just amazing.  Dangerous place to be.  I will be there in June.

Hallelujah!!  About this time of year around 1980, l attended an "Awakening?" on the EBT and got to ride the gas electric, and then a caboose cupola when a steamer was sent out for the disabled M -1.  Would like to repeat that experience 40! years later, in good running M-1.

GREAT NEWS!  ☺

Incredible news! I have so many fond memories of this wonderful railroad!

Real deal.  Real keeper.  

Outstanding news.  

I wonder if this announcement might put some new energy into NG offerings in the market, especially B'mann.

Yes in fact the EBT has been sold to a trust and will have limited events this summer and hopefully a full schedule next summer. A lot of work to the steam power and rolling stock is required due to the long term storage they have been in. This summer the events will most likely not be steam powered and one of the steam locos was sold before the trust bought the railroad. Big story on the local news here in State College and I have the press release in an email and would be happy to forward along with a pretty interesting Q&A section. My email is in my profile if anyone is interested. The release even includes the names of the folks behind the trust to include Bennett Levin among others including a past CEO of NS and Amtrak.  

I was fortunate to be on one of the last steam trips in 2011.  I can't wait for them to bring back the Columbus day weekend train excursions.  Taking the night excursion, on a clear night, I have never seen so many stars in the sky. It is truly a place frozen in time.

Wonderful news! 

I missed out on riding it - "there's always next year", until there isn't.  

I got to ride the EBT just a couple of years before it shut down.
This is great!  I will be back.
D.

I imagine all the engines are out of 15 year compliance. It’s going to take a lot of time and money to get up and running. Just the track work is a major undertaking. I hope they succeed.

Great news.

Thanks for posting.

Tom 

RJT posted:

This summer the events will most likely not be steam powered and one of the steam locos was sold before the trust bought the railroad. 

The only EBT locomotive that I'm aware of that was sold is  the standard gauge #3 that was kept up in the shed by Mt Union. 

Very cool.  I got to ride once when I was around 14.

I think that was my Dad's favorite place on Earth. He went there many times in the 1990s. I always regretted not going with him then. I will have to go next year to finally see the EBT.  

hullmat991 posted:

RJT posted:

This summer the events will most likely not be steam powered and one of the steam locos was sold before the trust bought the railroad. 

The only EBT locomotive that I'm aware of that was sold is  the standard gauge #3 that was kept up in the shed by Mt Union. 

That is correct and was included in the press release. 

Melvin P posted:

WOW, I have ridden this line many times.  Got into the coal breaker at Mt. Union. Just amazing.  Dangerous place to be.  I will be there in June.

I know of one of EBT's (Rockhill) mines down in Robertsdale that you can get into. If you dare. lol

The whole EBT thing is SO cool.

As others have said - great news.  I had the good fortune to attend one of the last photo charters on the EBT back in 2010 - I'll definitely drop by again.

Also, if you’ve never been to the Rockhill Trolley Museum across the street, it’s something else too. The volunteers we met there were really nice and the ride was great.

The best part of the news is that is was acquired by professional railroaders, not just well meaning enthusiast.

Not only are the locomotives and cars being saved, but an entire set of complete railroad facilities. This is truly an opportunity to experience the past. Like Chama, NM, little changed since the Fred Jukes photos taken around 1903. This is truly good news.

Hopefully it can finally become the first class operation that it should have been for years. Service to Mt. Union would be great. Trains from Mt. Union to Robertsdale would be a dream come true.

Well, why not start with the five miles to the grove, then extend operable track north to the end of ownership at the Aughwick stone bridge, and rehabilitate/clear the track the other way toward Pogue bridge at least to the front yard of the school. A mile was already cleared for speeders. It’s three miles to the school. Would be nice to restore the line at least to the tunnels.

This is something I will definitely be visiting....good for EBT!  A historic moment!

Forest posted:

... Trains from Mt. Union to Robertsdale would be a dream come true.

Robert K posted:

… Would be nice to restore the line at least to the tunnels.

  to both.

When I first got wind of the purchase, I was wondering if it would just be the area not far from the shops. But, 27 miles all the way to Robertsdale … so great! Lots of potential.

Robert K posted:

Well, why not start with the five miles to the grove, then extend operable track north to the end of ownership at the Aughwick stone bridge, and rehabilitate/clear the track the other way toward Pogue bridge at least to the front yard of the school. A mile was already cleared for speeders. It’s three miles to the school. Would be nice to restore the line at least to the tunnels.

I'm pretty sure the new owners will make a detailed evaluation of what needs to be done and what can be done in the short term. 

Rusty

So, if you're a railfan to any degree … you'll be able to go back in history at this national gem, the EBT RR.

Then, drive up to Horseshoe Curve. Maybe spend a night at that little railfan motel with its front porch looking at the NS (PRR) mainline.

Then a drive to Strasburg for that wonderful little railroad, and the fantastic RR Museum of Pennsylvania.

Include a drive up the anthracite coal fields, and have the Pioneer Coal Mine's little steam switcher take you for a tour of the strip mines, etc. And, then take the very cool tour of the deep mine.

Little Pennsylvania is quite the place.

Seen a lot of RR history in PA.  Missed a lot. .Wanta see that stone viaduct, and "anthracite coal fields"? Pioneer Coal Mine?  More specific in location..nearest town?  

EBT Jim posted:

So, if you're a railfan to any degree … you'll be able to go back in history at this national gem, the EBT RR.

Then, drive up to Horseshoe Curve. Maybe spend a night at that little railfan motel with its front porch looking at the NS (PRR) mainline.

Then a drive to Strasburg for that wonderful little railroad, and the fantastic RR Museum of Pennsylvania.

Include a drive up the anthracite coal fields, and have the Pioneer Coal Mine's little steam switcher take you for a tour of the strip mines, etc. And, then take the very cool tour of the deep mine.

Little Pennsylvania is quite the place.

Don't forget the Rockville Bridge.

colorado hirailer posted:

Seen a lot of RR history in PA.  Missed a lot. .Wanta see that stone viaduct, and "anthracite coal fields"? Pioneer Coal Mine?  More specific in location..nearest town?  

Ashland, Pa:

https://explorepahistory.com/a...ction.php?id=1-B-459

Pioneer Tunnel:

http://www.pioneertunnel.com/mine-tour/

I highly recommend both:

East Broad Top has a new website:

www.eastbroadtop.com   

EBT Jim posted:

 

When I first got wind of the purchase, I was wondering if it would just be the area not far from the shops. But, 27 miles all the way to Robertsdale … so great! Lots of potential.

Yes, a 27 mile train ride will bring a lot of rider$ there. Shorter rides for those who can't spend a whole day?

Will be interesting to see all the developments unfold.

RJT posted:

East Broad Top has a new website:

www.eastbroadtop.com   

 

 

Rick,

  Thanks for sharing that. The video was nicely done. I wish them luck. 

Tom 

Rick, Thank you also for the Website link!  Well done and the trailer is impressive!  I'm looking forward to returning to Orbisonia as it has been too long for us.

I understand where the Aughwick stone bridge is, but where is the western end of the ownership now? Wood Township? Do they own the track through both tunnels? I hope they do eventually rebuild more of the line for tourist service. Especially the opposite way from Rockhill/Orbisonia toward Saltillo. The line is in sad shape on the out of service since 1956 portions. Rails are in, but rotting ties, trees growing in the tracks, crossings paved over, bridges in poor condition, etc. Are the tunnels caved in? If they can get as far as Robertsdale wye and rebuild the wye, then they will have a good chunk of the mainline for tourist trains. How many miles is it from Orbisonia station to Robertsdale wye?

Robert K posted:

I understand where the Aughwick stone bridge is, but where is the western end of the ownership now? Wood Township? Do they own the track through both tunnels? I hope they do eventually rebuild more of the line for tourist service. Especially the opposite way from Rockhill/Orbisonia toward Saltillo. The line is in sad shape on the out of service since 1956 portions. Rails are in, but rotting ties, trees growing in the tracks, crossings paved over, bridges in poor condition, etc. Are the tunnels caved in? If they can get as far as Robertsdale wye and rebuild the wye, then they will have a good chunk of the mainline for tourist trains. How many miles is it from Orbisonia station to Robertsdale wye?

The only statement I've seen for the south end of the line is "the road crossing in Wood Township."  Robertsdale is in Wood Township so it could mean the crossing of route 913 right at the post office and the old Robertsdale station.  What I suspect is more likely is that it is the road crossing in or near the village of Wood which is a few miles further south.  Regardless, they do own the track through both tunnels which are north of Robertsdale and the wye at Robertsdale is north of the road crossing but there wouldn't be much of a south leg if ownership ends at that road crossing.  I don't have the track mileage handy, but the highway mileage from Rockhill Furnace (Orbisonia Station) to Robertsdale is about 17 miles.  I am guessing the track mileage would be 19 miles or less.  Maintaining that much track will be a huge project and require a tremendous amount of support.

A big problem is the  railroad is located in the middle of nowhere. The trolley museum complex, while wonderful, is located too close to the historic terminal , and the modern buildings are inappropriate for a historical replication circa 1920's. The shade Gap extension ends in the middle of nowhere. 

Hopefully, new development will not interfere with the character of The complex.

There is no local bus service, nor motels convenient  to the complex.

The actual train ride also ended in the middle of nowhere, and most importantly there were no appropriate restroom facilities at the destination. Developing a picnic area at the end of the ride should be a high priority. and perhaps some small recreation facilities for children. A few swings and a teeter totter, for example . Or perhaps a corral with a few horses 

In addition to trains there should be a few other items to add patina to the location. One or more chain drive Mack trucks parked near the station, and perhaps some horse-drawn wagons .

 I remember riding the line many times during the 1990's. It was a memorable experience.