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East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company

The East Broad Top Railroad (EBT) is a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge historic and heritage railroad headquartered in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania.

East Broad Top Railroad
EBT Engine 12 after the railroad was re-opened in 1960.
Nearest cityRockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°14′29″N 77°53′56″W / 40.24139°N 77.89889°W / 40.24139; -77.89889
Area500 acres (200 ha)
NRHP reference No.66000666[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHLDJanuary 28, 1964[2]
East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company
Overview
HeadquartersRockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania
LocaleHuntingdon County, Pennsylvania
Dates of operation1872–present (operations suspended 1956–1960, 2011–2020)
Technical
Track gauge3 ft (914 mm)
Route map

Mount Union
Allenport
Adams
Aughwick Mills
Aughwick Mills Bridge
Tuscarora Pump Station
US 522
Croghan Pike
Shirleysburg
Wye Track
(Former Clay spur)
Blacklog Creek Bridge
Runk Road Bridge
Orbisonia (Rockhill Furnace)
PA 994
Meadow St.
Rockhill Trolley Museum
(Former Shade Gap Branch)
PA 475
Maddensville Pike
Booher Branch
Pogue Bridge
Pogue
Three Springs
Narco Branch
Saltillo
Fairview
Sideling Hill Tunnel
Kimmel
Coles
Coles Valley branch to Joller
Wray's Hill Tunnel
Rocky Ridge
Rocky Ridge Branch
Cooks
Robertsdale (FEBT Museum)
No. 7 spur
Woodvale
Alvan
EBT #15 excursion train, 2006
East Broad Top #15 in front of Orbisonia Station, 1986
M-1 Gasoline-Electric Motor
Augwick Creek/Aughwick Creek railroad bridge (1986)

Operating from 1871 to 1956, it is one of the nation's oldest and best-preserved narrow-gauge railroads, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The railroad is now preserved for use as a tourist attraction until operations ceased in 2011. After a nine-year closure, in February 2020 it was announced that the railroad had been purchased by a non-profit foundation and regular train service resumed in the summer of 2021.[3]

Notability edit

The EBT is unusual in that it is a complete, original railroad rather than a collection of pieces from various locations, as most tourist railroads are. All six of the 3 ft narrow-gauge steam locomotives that operated on the railroad in its last years as a coal hauler are still on site, and some were used for the excursion trains. Other original equipment includes a 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge switcher steam locomotive (non-operational), operating track-gang cars, the M-3 motorcar (built from scratch by the EBT with an engine and transmission from an automobile), and the M-1, a motorcar (doodlebug) based on scaled-down J. G. Brill and Company plans built by the EBT in 1927. The majority of rolling stock that operated on the railroad in its later coal-hauling years remains on the property in varying condition, including over a dozen flatcars, several boxcars and well over 150 hoppers. Tourist trains used original EBT passenger equipment, as well as converted EBT freight cars. The original railroad maintenance shops have a pair of Babcock & Wilcox boilers, a 19th-century stationary steam engine, and an overhead line shaft system (steel shafts, wood and iron pulleys and leather and canvas belts) that powers antique machine tools, sheet-forming machines, foundry equipment, blacksmithing tools and woodworking machines. Almost 33 miles (53 km) of the railroad's original main 30 mile line is still in place, though only 5 miles (8.0 km) are usable. In recent years disused trackage from Rockhill Furnace southward and Robertsdale southward have been cleared and gauged for use with speeders and handcars (track-gang cars).

The EBT was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The railroad was added in 1996 to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of America's Most Endangered Places.[4]

Common Carrier Operations - 1872 to 1956 edit

The East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company was chartered in 1856. Due to financial constraints and the American Civil War, the railroad was not built by its original charterers, but a new group of investors began to acquire right-of-way in 1867 and was able to construct the railroad as a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge line in 1872–1874. Service began from Mount Union, Pennsylvania to Orbisonia, Pennsylvania in August, 1873, and to Robertsdale in November, 1874. The line later was extended to Woodvale and Alvan, with several short branches. At its height, it had over 60 miles of track and approximately 33 miles of main line.

 
EBT trackage, connections, and facilities.

The primary purpose of the railroad was to haul semi-bituminous coal from the mines on the east side of the remote Broad Top Mountain plateau. In its first few decades, the railroad hauled most of the coal to Rockhill to be coked and used in iron production in the furnaces of the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company, its sister company. It then hauled the pig iron from the furnace. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, the railroad transitioned to haul most of the coal to Mount Union to be processed and transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad. The railroad also carried substantial amounts of ganister rock, lumber and passengers with some agricultural goods, concrete, road tar and general freight.

As the iron industry in the region faded in the early 1900s, the railroad came to subsist on coal traffic for about 90% of its revenue. Large plants for the manufacture of silica brick were developed at Mount Union around the turn of the 20th century, and these became major customers for coal and also for ganister rock, which was quarried at multiple points along the railroad.

The EBT maintained an office in Philadelphia, PA. An 1893 timetable lists their executive offices at 320 Walnut St.,[6] then the main commercial area of the city. The city's business center migrated west and by 1939 the EBT's office was at 1421 Chestnut St.[7] EBT was generally profitable from the 1880s through the 1940s and was able to modernize its infrastructure far more than other narrow gauge railroads. The railroad's roundhouse, one of the oldest railroad roundhouses in the US still in operation, was built in 1882.[8] A coal cleaning plant and a full maintenance shops complex were also built, bridges were upgraded from iron and wood to steel and concrete, wood rolling stock was replaced by steel, and modern high-powered steam locomotives were bought from the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia. In the post-WWII years most railroads converted to diesel motive power but the EBT considered this switch unnecessary. Steam locomotives had proven longevity and, as EBT was a coal carrier, fuel was abundant and cheap.[9]

In 1929 the EBT formed the East Broad Top Transit Company and operated regional bus service. It acquired the Mount Union Bus Line in 1931. In 1941 this operation was sold to the Huntingdon Bus Company.[10]

In November 1953 the railroad's innovation earned them a cover story in an industry publication.[11] But coal demand was already plummeting as homes and industries switched to cheap oil and gas. The last nail in the coffin came when the silica brick plants in Mount Union converted to oil and gas and not enough coal could be sold to support the mines and the railroad. The railroad closed as a coal hauler April 14, 1956, and along with the coal-mining company was sold for scrap to the Kovalchick Salvage Corporation.

First Heritage Operation - 1960 to 2011 edit

Nick Kovalchick, president of Kovalchick Salvage, elected not to scrap the railroad right away, instead letting it sit in place. In 1960, the twin boroughs of Orbisonia and Rockhill Furnace—the latter being the operating hub for the railroad—celebrated their Bicentennial and asked Kovalchick to put a train out for display. Doing them one better, he rehabilitated four miles of track and two locomotives and operated tourist train rides for several months that summer. The new attraction was so successful that the ride, extended to five miles (8.0 km), opened as a regular tourist operation in 1961. The railroad operated tourist trains every summer through 2011. From 1960 to 2008 the trains were operated by the EBT under Kovalchick Salvage. From 1956 until 2020, the majority of the railroad was still owned by Kovalchick Salvage. It was overseen by Nick Kovalchick from 1956 to 1977 and by Nick's son, Joe, and his wife, Judy after 1977.

From May 2009 until December 2011, trains were operated under a lease to the East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association, a non-profit founded with the intention of acquiring the railroad and reactivating all 33 miles (53 km) of the railroad's original main line (only 5 miles (8.0 km) operated for tourist operations). The EBTPA made a number of improvements on site as well as adding numerous special events like Day Out with Thomas and Polar Express. In 2011, EBTPA extended the season and operating days of the week. The original three-year lease expired in April 2012, and Kovalchick Salvage and EBTPA were unable to reach an agreement to continue operations. As such the lease was terminated.

About Heritage Operations edit

From 1960 until 2011 the line operated as a heritage railway, with trains pulled by 3 ft narrow gauge 2-8-2 steam locomotives. Vintage diesels operated as backup power. Excursions generally ran May through October. Special events and holidays trains ran in November and December.[12]

The rides were 10-mile (16 km) round trips and took about an hour. The EBT annual Fall Spectacular, when all operating equipment was in use, was held on the Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October. There were also local events such as Community Appreciation Day. The train stopped at Colgate Grove, a picnic grove at the far end of the operable excursion trackage. The train was turned on a wye for the return trip. The historic railroad maintenance shops were usually open for tours when trains were running, and for group tours by arrangement. Speeder, handcar, and M-3 rides were often available on the restored trackage just south of Rockhill Furnace.

During this era of operations, four of the six mikados were in service: #12, #14, #15 and #17. #16 and #18 never operated during this era, due to finances, differing opinions, and concerns about their weight on the EBT's trackage (#17, of very similar size to #16 and #18, was used sparingly, typically only running during the annual fall spectaculars).

There were plans at several points during this era to bring other portions of the East Broad Top back to service, most notably with the 1990 National Park Service proposal, but funding and inner politics prevented this, and operational trackage was never further extended.

As the years went on, the condition of the running locomotives deteriorated, and both rising costs and stricter operational standards after the 1995 Gettysburg Railroad incident led to the eventual retirement of many of the mikados. #12 last operated in 2000, #17 in 2001, and #14 in 2005. Only #15, which had undergone an overhaul in the early 2000s and returning to service in 2005, remained operational at the end of 2011, when the railroad was shut down.

Closure - 2012 to 2020 edit

During the closure the railroad facilities were maintained by a skeleton paid EBT staff and Friends of the East Broad Top (FEBT) volunteers. FRA inspections and paperwork were being kept up on Locomotive #15 in preparation for a possible reopening. Although no public excursions were held from 2012 to 2019, diesel powered trains operated October 6, 2012 and October 12, 2013, for members of the FEBT, as well as an M-1 excursion as far as McMullens Summit. Motorcar excursions were operated for members of the FEBT attending its annual Fall Reunion on Columbus day weekends.

After the end of its operating lease, the East Broad Top Preservation Association raised enough money to purchase some portions of the EBT.[13] On June 3, 2013, it was announced that the East Broad Top Preservation Association had purchased the first part of the East Broad Top Railroad. In two separate transactions they purchased, the old PRR/Conrail spur from the NS mainline to the northern end of the EBT yard from Kovlachick Salvage, and the EBT Mount Union yard from the Conrail Spur tie-in to the US 522 crossing from the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company[14] EBTPA subsequently purchased the line from Mount Union to Aughwick. After these initial purchases the EBTPA was unable to fund further purchases of portions of the EBT.

The Friends of the East Broad Top continued many ongoing and new restoration projects in Rockhill Furnace throughout the closure of the railroad with the active encouragement of owner Joe Kovalchick.[15] FEBT also assisted with routine site maintenance and repair of the EBT Facilities.

Initially tours of the Historic Shops complex were offered only for groups of 20 or more by prior arrangement with the railroad. Public tours were increasingly offered on selected summer days as the closure continued.

The neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum continued to operate its regular summer schedule and special events, as well as their portion of the Fall Spectaculars during Columbus Day weekend in October.

Sale and reopening - 2020 to Present edit

On Valentine's Day, 2020, a press conference was held in Rockhill announcing that a new non-profit, the EBT Foundation, had purchased the railroad, and planned to restart excursions in 2021.[16] The sale included approximate 27 miles of line, the yard complex in Rockhill Furnace, and all associated rolling stock and equipment. Financial details of the sale have not been disclosed. The EBTF board includes notable rail preservationists Bennett Levin and Henry Posner III, former CEO of both Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak, Charles "Wick" Moorman and longtime EBT activists Lawrence Biemiller, Brad Esposito and David Brightbill.

The sale of the railroad to the EBTF did not include portions of the railroad previously purchased by the East Broad Top Preservation Association. The two non-profits are separate and unaffiliated. It did not include EBT standard gauge steam locomotive #3 which was previously sold to a third party but remains in Mount Union.

Immediately after the announcement, the EBTF began several parallel projects at the railroad to prepare for resumption of operations. All six narrow-gauge steam locomotives were thoroughly evaluated to determine their condition and which were the best candidates for return to operation. #14 and #16 were selected to be the first to be restored and were abated of asbestos and restoration work begun. Stall #8 of the Rockhill Roundhouse was rehabilitated and converted into a restoration facility for the steam locomotives. Woodford Brothers (who performed structural repairs of the Blacksmith Shop during the closure) were contracted to perform a complete structural repair on the Rockhill Shops. The FEBT Restoration crew will perform the balance of the needed work of this project. A contractor has been secured to install a fire suppression system throughout the Shops Complex and Roundhouse. Several large scale track rebuilding projects were executed around the Rockhill yard. Thousands of ties were delivered to Rockhill to rehabilitate the tourist portion of the line. In May and June 2020 the restoration efforts encountered setbacks from an act of arson[17] and a bridge was damaged by an over-height vehicle.[18]

The East Broad Top reopened for limited operations in May 2021, and officially reopened for its first full season in May 2022. EBT 16 returned to steam in early February, 2023.[19]

Restoration Efforts edit

In the years following the EBT's opening as a tourist hauler, many of the structures along the disused portion of the railroad fell into disrepair and were lost to neglect or arson. Maintenance on the original railroad maintenance shops and other buildings at Rockhill Furnace and on unused equipment was neglected as employees focused the limited manpower on operating the train and maintaining core facilities. As a result, historic fabric outside the core tourist operations was severely threatened.

In 1983, the non-profit Friends of the East Broad Top (FEBT) was organized to preserve and restore the East Broad Top. While initially there was a good working relationship between the EBT and the FEBT, including two and a half years of restoration work at Rockhill Furnace, a series of events in 1985 led to friction and distrust between the two entities. At that time, FEBT re-focused on restoration at Robertsdale where it purchased or leased two historic EBT/RI&C Structures, and on former EBT combine #16 it had leased. In the late 1990s the relationship was on the mend with cooperative projects and starting in 2002 FEBT volunteers again began restoration work in Rockhill Furnace. This work continues today and has grown immensely in scope and depth during that time.

As of late 2022 the Foundation has three full-time paid track crew members.[20] On weekends the volunteer FEBT Rockhill Restoration Crew performs restoration work on the historic railroad, except October and December, as well as a special work week per year. FEBT volunteers restore buildings, machinery, repair track and rolling stock, provide tours, and help maintain the premises. Since 2002 substantial restoration has occurred on more than half the core maintenance shop complex. Several other buildings have received moderate to extensive restoration. Five pieces of rolling stock have been returned to operation with three more in progress. Six pieces of machinery in the maintenance shops have been restored to operation and some are being used to make parts for other restoration projects. Seven pieces of track have received work. The crew also works on restoration projects on parts of the railroad outside Rockhill Furnace.

With the purchase of the railroad by the EBT Foundation, which has an excellent working relationship with FEBT, restoration work is being greatly accelerated. EBTF is providing funding and contractors for major work, and the FEBT continues to cover moderate and smaller portions of projects, as well as larger, non-pending projects. As of October 2020 yard trackage at Robertsdale, which is approximately 19 miles from the heritage Rockhill Furnace station, was cleared of brush, and the scale track in front of the depot was restored. Three coal hopper cars were transported by flatbed truck for display and marked the first time since 1956 that EBT rolling stock returned to the site of its headquarters during its days as a coal carrier.[21]

In February 2021 workers in the carpentry shop found five cases of century-old dynamite. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries railroads commonly used explosives to clear debris. Local and federal agencies safely burned off the explosives.[22] In October the Friends group announced plans to rebuild the Saltillo station and water tower.[23]

In December 2021 the railroad received a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for $1.1M USD. The funds will be used to restore and reopen the main line to Saltillo and other capital improvements.[24] In May 2022 the railroad took the first steps toward reopening the line from Rockhill Furnace south to Saltillo by cutting down growth and repairing drainage along the right-of-way.[25] The line further south to Robertsdale has two 1874-built tunnels that require significant repair work. A drone with LIDAR equipment was used to survey their condition.[26]

Steam locomotive No. 16, which had been dormant since 1956, was fired up in July 2022 as work continued for its entry into excursion service.[27] In October the first segment of railroad south of Rockhill Furnace, out of service since 1956, reopened as far as PA Route 475.[28] A segment of track from Robertsdale south to Wood reopened to lightweight speeder equipment.[29]

Deteriorated structures at the Colgate picnic grove, at the railroad's wye track on the old Clay spur, were demolished. New pavilions, restrooms, and a boarding platform are expected to be open for the 2023 season.[30]

East Broad Top Motive Power Roster[31]
Engine No. (Name) Year built Builder Type Wheel arrangement 2023 status
3 1923 Baldwin Switcher 0-6-0 (Std. gauge) Out of service
12 (Millie) 1911 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Out of service
14 1912 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Out of service
15 1914 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Out of service
16 (Nick) 1916 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Operational[19]
17 1918 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Out of service
18 1920 Baldwin Mikado 2-8-2 Out of service
M-1 1927 Brill/EBT Doodlebug B-B In service
M-3 1928 EBT Inspection car 1A In service
M-4 1947 Plymouth Switcher B-B In service
M-6 1969 Plymouth Switcher B-B In service
M-7 1964 GE Switcher B-B In service

In July 2022 the railroad took delivery of the first of four newly constructed passenger cars. Constructed by a Bellingham, Washington-based company, they resemble an 1890s era passenger car but with modern amenities such as electric lighting, baseboard heating, and modern lavatories. One car is a baggage/combine that will include wheelchair lifts.[32]

Rockhill Trolley Museum edit

The Rockhill Trolley Museum, operated by Railways to Yesterday, adjoins the railroad and offers 3-mile (4.8 km) round-trip trolley rides during the tourist season on the former Shade Gap Branch of the EBT (now re-laid with 4 ft 8+12 in or 1,435 mm standard gauge), which follows Blacklog Creek. While the trolley museum is an entirely separate entity, it coordinates its schedules with the EBT.[33]

Friends of the East Broad Top Museum edit

FEBT operates a museum complex in the community of Robertsdale in Wood Township, Pennsylvania known as the Friends of the East Broad Top Museum. The museum is located in the East Broad Top Robertsdale Station, about 40 minutes from the operating portion of the railroad, and contains historic artifacts and documents. Robertsdale was hub of the coal mining operations of the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company which hauled the coal on the EBT. The goal of the FEBT Museum is to present the history and culture of the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company and the industries it served in the surrounding area.[34] FEBT is also nearing completion on the restoration of the RI&C Co. owned Robertsdale Post Office building, which will eventually house the museum's exhibits, while the station will be fully restored to its period appearance.

The Robertsdale Historic District[35] and Woodvale Historic District[36] were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ . National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  3. ^ "East Broad Top sold, plans full operations by 2021". Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  4. ^ "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places—Past Listings". Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Cahal, Sherman (January 20, 2020). "East Broad Top Railroad". Abandonedonline.net. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "EBT Timetable May 18, 1893". Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  7. ^ "EBT Timetable September 4, 1939". Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Roundhouse, State Route 994, West of U.S. Route 522, Rockhill Furnace, Huntingdon County, PA". Library of Congress. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  9. ^ Burns, Adam (January 22, 2022). "A Brief History Of The East Broad Top". Old Eastie. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  10. ^ "Buses of the East Broad Top", Motor Coach Age, July 2015, ISSN 0739-117X
  11. ^ Hastings, Philip R. (November 1953). "Is It a Sin to be Narrow Gauge?". Trains Archives. Trains.com. pp. 31–49. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  12. ^ Springirth, Kenneth C. (February 6, 2008). East Broad Top Railroad. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738557540.
  13. ^ "East Broad Top Railroad, Orbisonia, PA (January 19, 2013)". Preservation News. National Railway Historical Society. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  14. ^ First section of East Broad Top sold - TRAINS Magazine. Trn.trains.com (2013-06-03). Retrieved on 2013-09-18.
  15. ^ "FEBT Restoration Projects". Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  16. ^ Keith, Patt (February 15, 2020). "Plans unveiled for East Broad Top". AltoonaMirror.com. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  17. ^ Hawn, Kylie (June 4, 2020). "Orbisonia Borough leaders learn of damage". The Daily News (Huntingdon County). Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  18. ^ Newman, Catherine (May 6, 2020). "Historic road bridge damaged". CBS WTAJ Altoona. Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Steam Returns to East Broad Top". railfan.com. White River Publishing. February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Cupper, Dan (October 13, 2022). "'Friar Tuck' and the East Broad Top". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Morgan, Ron (October 5, 2020). "Coal hoppers return to Robertsdale". Bedford Gazette. Bedford, Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  22. ^ Jackson, Devin (February 5, 2021). "East Broad Top Railroad discovers, disposes of antique dynamite explosives". WTAJ-CBS. Altoona, Pennsylvania.
  23. ^ Cupper, Dan (October 11, 2021). "Friends of East Broad Top wraps up Rockhill shops work, looks south". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Cupper, Dan (December 9, 2021). "East Broad Top gets $1.1 million from state for restoring track, other projects". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  25. ^ Cupper, Dan (June 3, 2022). "East Broad Top begins restoring main line south". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  26. ^ Cupper, Dan (May 27, 2022). "Drone whirs through East Broad Top tunnels". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  27. ^ Watson, Adam (July 5, 2022). "Historic EBT locomotive put under steam". Bedford Gazette. Bedford, Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  28. ^ Cupper, Dan (October 11, 2022). "EBT opens the door on south portion of main line". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  29. ^ Morgan, Ron (October 10, 2022). "FEBT holds Fall Reunion". BedfordGazette.com. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  30. ^ Cupper, Dan (November 7, 2022). "Coming at East Broad Top: the new Colgate Grove". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  31. ^ Coleman, Christopher D. "East Broad Top Railroad Locomotive Roster". OldEastie.com. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  32. ^ Cupper, Dan (July 20, 2022). "First new coach arrives at East Broad Top". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  33. ^ "The East Broad Top Railroad and the Rockhill Trolley Museum". Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  34. ^ "Robertsdale Museum". Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  35. ^ "Robertsdale Historic District". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  36. ^ "Woodvale Historic District". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved November 18, 2020.

Additional reading edit

  • Rainey, Lee; Kyper, Frank (1982). East Broad Top. San Marino, CA: Golden West Books. ISBN 0-87095-078-9.
  • Joseph A Mannix (1960): A quick review of the East Broad Top, the narrow gauge of the East. Rockhill Furnace, Pa., East Broad Railroad and Coal Co.
  • Cupper, Dan (January 2021). "East Broad Top looks south". Trains. Kalmbach. pp. 44–45.

External links edit

  • East Broad Top Railroad Official Site
  • Friends of the East Broad Top
  • National Register nomination documentation
  • Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-5556, "Robertsdale East Broad Top Railroad Depot"
  • Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PA-127, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company"
  • HAER No. PA-127-A, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Machine Shop"
  • HAER No. PA-127-B, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Roundhouse"
  • HAER No. PA-127-C, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Blacksmith Shop"
  • HAER No. PA-127-D, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Foundry"
  • HAER No. PA-127-E, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Wood Sheds"
  • HAER No. PA-127-F, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Sideling Hill Tunnel"
  • HAER No. PA-127-G, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Orbisonia Depot"
  • HAER No. PA-127-H, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Paint Shop"
  • HAER No. PA-127-I, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Farm House"
  • HAER No. PA-127-J, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Wray's Hill Tunnel"
  • HAER No. PA-434-A, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Engine House"
  • HAER No. PA-434-B, "East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company, Coal Dock"
  • HAER No. PA-634, "East Broad Top Railroad, Saltillo Station"
  • HAER No. PA-644, "East Broad Top Railroad & Company, Water Tank at Coles Station"

east, broad, railroad, coal, company, east, broad, railroad, narrow, gauge, historic, heritage, railroad, headquartered, rockhill, furnace, pennsylvania, east, broad, railroadu, national, register, historic, placesu, national, historic, landmark, districtebt, . The East Broad Top Railroad EBT is a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge historic and heritage railroad headquartered in Rockhill Furnace Pennsylvania East Broad Top RailroadU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S National Historic Landmark DistrictEBT Engine 12 after the railroad was re opened in 1960 Nearest cityRockhill Furnace PennsylvaniaCoordinates40 14 29 N 77 53 56 W 40 24139 N 77 89889 W 40 24139 77 89889Area500 acres 200 ha NRHP reference No 66000666 1 Significant datesAdded to NRHPOctober 15 1966 1 Designated NHLDJanuary 28 1964 2 East Broad Top Railroad and Coal CompanyOverviewHeadquartersRockhill Furnace PennsylvaniaLocaleHuntingdon County PennsylvaniaDates of operation1872 present operations suspended 1956 1960 2011 2020 TechnicalTrack gauge3 ft 914 mm Route mapNorfolk SouthernPittsburgh PhiladelphiaMount UnionAllenportAdamsAughwick MillsAughwick Mills BridgeTuscarora Pump StationUS 522Croghan PikeShirleysburgWye Track Former Clay spur Blacklog Creek BridgeRunk Road BridgeOrbisonia Rockhill Furnace PA 994Meadow St Rockhill Trolley Museum Former Shade Gap Branch PA 475Maddensville PikeBooher BranchPogue BridgePogueThree SpringsNarco BranchSaltilloFairviewSideling Hill TunnelKimmelColesColes Valley branch to JollerWray s Hill TunnelRocky RidgeRocky Ridge BranchCooksRobertsdale FEBT Museum No 7 spurWoodvaleAlvanEBT 15 excursion train 2006East Broad Top 15 in front of Orbisonia Station 1986M 1 Gasoline Electric MotorAugwick Creek Aughwick Creek railroad bridge 1986 Operating from 1871 to 1956 it is one of the nation s oldest and best preserved narrow gauge railroads and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 The railroad is now preserved for use as a tourist attraction until operations ceased in 2011 After a nine year closure in February 2020 it was announced that the railroad had been purchased by a non profit foundation and regular train service resumed in the summer of 2021 3 Contents 1 Notability 2 Common Carrier Operations 1872 to 1956 3 First Heritage Operation 1960 to 2011 3 1 About Heritage Operations 4 Closure 2012 to 2020 5 Sale and reopening 2020 to Present 6 Restoration Efforts 7 Rockhill Trolley Museum 8 Friends of the East Broad Top Museum 9 See also 10 References 11 Additional reading 12 External linksNotability editThe EBT is unusual in that it is a complete original railroad rather than a collection of pieces from various locations as most tourist railroads are All six of the 3 ft narrow gauge steam locomotives that operated on the railroad in its last years as a coal hauler are still on site and some were used for the excursion trains Other original equipment includes a 4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gauge switcher steam locomotive non operational operating track gang cars the M 3 motorcar built from scratch by the EBT with an engine and transmission from an automobile and the M 1 a motorcar doodlebug based on scaled down J G Brill and Company plans built by the EBT in 1927 The majority of rolling stock that operated on the railroad in its later coal hauling years remains on the property in varying condition including over a dozen flatcars several boxcars and well over 150 hoppers Tourist trains used original EBT passenger equipment as well as converted EBT freight cars The original railroad maintenance shops have a pair of Babcock amp Wilcox boilers a 19th century stationary steam engine and an overhead line shaft system steel shafts wood and iron pulleys and leather and canvas belts that powers antique machine tools sheet forming machines foundry equipment blacksmithing tools and woodworking machines Almost 33 miles 53 km of the railroad s original main 30 mile line is still in place though only 5 miles 8 0 km are usable In recent years disused trackage from Rockhill Furnace southward and Robertsdale southward have been cleared and gauged for use with speeders and handcars track gang cars The EBT was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 The railroad was added in 1996 to the National Trust for Historic Preservation s list of America s Most Endangered Places 4 Common Carrier Operations 1872 to 1956 editThe East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company was chartered in 1856 Due to financial constraints and the American Civil War the railroad was not built by its original charterers but a new group of investors began to acquire right of way in 1867 and was able to construct the railroad as a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge line in 1872 1874 Service began from Mount Union Pennsylvania to Orbisonia Pennsylvania in August 1873 and to Robertsdale in November 1874 The line later was extended to Woodvale and Alvan with several short branches At its height it had over 60 miles of track and approximately 33 miles of main line nbsp EBT trackage connections and facilities Branch Lines 5 of the East Broad Top Railroad Name Stations Milepost In service Out of serviceClay spur 1918 1927Shade Gap Branch Blacklog 12 5 1884 1956Cedar Rock 14 8 1884 1956Locke Valley 15 6 1884 1956Shade Gap 17 0 1884 1948Neelyton 20 2 1903 1943Stanton spur 21 6 1919 1940Shade Valley Branch Stair 1886 1904Goshorn 1888 1904Nandy 1890 1902Booher Branch 15 0 1891 1912Narco Branch 1942 1956Coles Valley Branch Joller 1916 1948Rocky Ridge Branch Curfman 27 6 1905 1936Jacobs 29 0 1917 1936Evanston 30 4 1917 1936No 7 and 8 spurs 1915 c 1941The primary purpose of the railroad was to haul semi bituminous coal from the mines on the east side of the remote Broad Top Mountain plateau In its first few decades the railroad hauled most of the coal to Rockhill to be coked and used in iron production in the furnaces of the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company its sister company It then hauled the pig iron from the furnace Shortly after the turn of the 20th century the railroad transitioned to haul most of the coal to Mount Union to be processed and transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad The railroad also carried substantial amounts of ganister rock lumber and passengers with some agricultural goods concrete road tar and general freight As the iron industry in the region faded in the early 1900s the railroad came to subsist on coal traffic for about 90 of its revenue Large plants for the manufacture of silica brick were developed at Mount Union around the turn of the 20th century and these became major customers for coal and also for ganister rock which was quarried at multiple points along the railroad The EBT maintained an office in Philadelphia PA An 1893 timetable lists their executive offices at 320 Walnut St 6 then the main commercial area of the city The city s business center migrated west and by 1939 the EBT s office was at 1421 Chestnut St 7 EBT was generally profitable from the 1880s through the 1940s and was able to modernize its infrastructure far more than other narrow gauge railroads The railroad s roundhouse one of the oldest railroad roundhouses in the US still in operation was built in 1882 8 A coal cleaning plant and a full maintenance shops complex were also built bridges were upgraded from iron and wood to steel and concrete wood rolling stock was replaced by steel and modern high powered steam locomotives were bought from the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia In the post WWII years most railroads converted to diesel motive power but the EBT considered this switch unnecessary Steam locomotives had proven longevity and as EBT was a coal carrier fuel was abundant and cheap 9 In 1929 the EBT formed the East Broad Top Transit Company and operated regional bus service It acquired the Mount Union Bus Line in 1931 In 1941 this operation was sold to the Huntingdon Bus Company 10 In November 1953 the railroad s innovation earned them a cover story in an industry publication 11 But coal demand was already plummeting as homes and industries switched to cheap oil and gas The last nail in the coffin came when the silica brick plants in Mount Union converted to oil and gas and not enough coal could be sold to support the mines and the railroad The railroad closed as a coal hauler April 14 1956 and along with the coal mining company was sold for scrap to the Kovalchick Salvage Corporation First Heritage Operation 1960 to 2011 editNick Kovalchick president of Kovalchick Salvage elected not to scrap the railroad right away instead letting it sit in place In 1960 the twin boroughs of Orbisonia and Rockhill Furnace the latter being the operating hub for the railroad celebrated their Bicentennial and asked Kovalchick to put a train out for display Doing them one better he rehabilitated four miles of track and two locomotives and operated tourist train rides for several months that summer The new attraction was so successful that the ride extended to five miles 8 0 km opened as a regular tourist operation in 1961 The railroad operated tourist trains every summer through 2011 From 1960 to 2008 the trains were operated by the EBT under Kovalchick Salvage From 1956 until 2020 the majority of the railroad was still owned by Kovalchick Salvage It was overseen by Nick Kovalchick from 1956 to 1977 and by Nick s son Joe and his wife Judy after 1977 From May 2009 until December 2011 trains were operated under a lease to the East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association a non profit founded with the intention of acquiring the railroad and reactivating all 33 miles 53 km of the railroad s original main line only 5 miles 8 0 km operated for tourist operations The EBTPA made a number of improvements on site as well as adding numerous special events like Day Out with Thomas and Polar Express In 2011 EBTPA extended the season and operating days of the week The original three year lease expired in April 2012 and Kovalchick Salvage and EBTPA were unable to reach an agreement to continue operations As such the lease was terminated About Heritage Operations edit From 1960 until 2011 the line operated as a heritage railway with trains pulled by 3 ft narrow gauge 2 8 2 steam locomotives Vintage diesels operated as backup power Excursions generally ran May through October Special events and holidays trains ran in November and December 12 The rides were 10 mile 16 km round trips and took about an hour The EBT annual Fall Spectacular when all operating equipment was in use was held on the Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day weekend in October There were also local events such as Community Appreciation Day The train stopped at Colgate Grove a picnic grove at the far end of the operable excursion trackage The train was turned on a wye for the return trip The historic railroad maintenance shops were usually open for tours when trains were running and for group tours by arrangement Speeder handcar and M 3 rides were often available on the restored trackage just south of Rockhill Furnace During this era of operations four of the six mikados were in service 12 14 15 and 17 16 and 18 never operated during this era due to finances differing opinions and concerns about their weight on the EBT s trackage 17 of very similar size to 16 and 18 was used sparingly typically only running during the annual fall spectaculars There were plans at several points during this era to bring other portions of the East Broad Top back to service most notably with the 1990 National Park Service proposal but funding and inner politics prevented this and operational trackage was never further extended As the years went on the condition of the running locomotives deteriorated and both rising costs and stricter operational standards after the 1995 Gettysburg Railroad incident led to the eventual retirement of many of the mikados 12 last operated in 2000 17 in 2001 and 14 in 2005 Only 15 which had undergone an overhaul in the early 2000s and returning to service in 2005 remained operational at the end of 2011 when the railroad was shut down Closure 2012 to 2020 editDuring the closure the railroad facilities were maintained by a skeleton paid EBT staff and Friends of the East Broad Top FEBT volunteers FRA inspections and paperwork were being kept up on Locomotive 15 in preparation for a possible reopening Although no public excursions were held from 2012 to 2019 diesel powered trains operated October 6 2012 and October 12 2013 for members of the FEBT as well as an M 1 excursion as far as McMullens Summit Motorcar excursions were operated for members of the FEBT attending its annual Fall Reunion on Columbus day weekends After the end of its operating lease the East Broad Top Preservation Association raised enough money to purchase some portions of the EBT 13 On June 3 2013 it was announced that the East Broad Top Preservation Association had purchased the first part of the East Broad Top Railroad In two separate transactions they purchased the old PRR Conrail spur from the NS mainline to the northern end of the EBT yard from Kovlachick Salvage and the EBT Mount Union yard from the Conrail Spur tie in to the US 522 crossing from the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company 14 EBTPA subsequently purchased the line from Mount Union to Aughwick After these initial purchases the EBTPA was unable to fund further purchases of portions of the EBT The Friends of the East Broad Top continued many ongoing and new restoration projects in Rockhill Furnace throughout the closure of the railroad with the active encouragement of owner Joe Kovalchick 15 FEBT also assisted with routine site maintenance and repair of the EBT Facilities Initially tours of the Historic Shops complex were offered only for groups of 20 or more by prior arrangement with the railroad Public tours were increasingly offered on selected summer days as the closure continued The neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum continued to operate its regular summer schedule and special events as well as their portion of the Fall Spectaculars during Columbus Day weekend in October Sale and reopening 2020 to Present editOn Valentine s Day 2020 a press conference was held in Rockhill announcing that a new non profit the EBT Foundation had purchased the railroad and planned to restart excursions in 2021 16 The sale included approximate 27 miles of line the yard complex in Rockhill Furnace and all associated rolling stock and equipment Financial details of the sale have not been disclosed The EBTF board includes notable rail preservationists Bennett Levin and Henry Posner III former CEO of both Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak Charles Wick Moorman and longtime EBT activists Lawrence Biemiller Brad Esposito and David Brightbill The sale of the railroad to the EBTF did not include portions of the railroad previously purchased by the East Broad Top Preservation Association The two non profits are separate and unaffiliated It did not include EBT standard gauge steam locomotive 3 which was previously sold to a third party but remains in Mount Union Immediately after the announcement the EBTF began several parallel projects at the railroad to prepare for resumption of operations All six narrow gauge steam locomotives were thoroughly evaluated to determine their condition and which were the best candidates for return to operation 14 and 16 were selected to be the first to be restored and were abated of asbestos and restoration work begun Stall 8 of the Rockhill Roundhouse was rehabilitated and converted into a restoration facility for the steam locomotives Woodford Brothers who performed structural repairs of the Blacksmith Shop during the closure were contracted to perform a complete structural repair on the Rockhill Shops The FEBT Restoration crew will perform the balance of the needed work of this project A contractor has been secured to install a fire suppression system throughout the Shops Complex and Roundhouse Several large scale track rebuilding projects were executed around the Rockhill yard Thousands of ties were delivered to Rockhill to rehabilitate the tourist portion of the line In May and June 2020 the restoration efforts encountered setbacks from an act of arson 17 and a bridge was damaged by an over height vehicle 18 The East Broad Top reopened for limited operations in May 2021 and officially reopened for its first full season in May 2022 EBT 16 returned to steam in early February 2023 19 Restoration Efforts editIn the years following the EBT s opening as a tourist hauler many of the structures along the disused portion of the railroad fell into disrepair and were lost to neglect or arson Maintenance on the original railroad maintenance shops and other buildings at Rockhill Furnace and on unused equipment was neglected as employees focused the limited manpower on operating the train and maintaining core facilities As a result historic fabric outside the core tourist operations was severely threatened In 1983 the non profit Friends of the East Broad Top FEBT was organized to preserve and restore the East Broad Top While initially there was a good working relationship between the EBT and the FEBT including two and a half years of restoration work at Rockhill Furnace a series of events in 1985 led to friction and distrust between the two entities At that time FEBT re focused on restoration at Robertsdale where it purchased or leased two historic EBT RI amp C Structures and on former EBT combine 16 it had leased In the late 1990s the relationship was on the mend with cooperative projects and starting in 2002 FEBT volunteers again began restoration work in Rockhill Furnace This work continues today and has grown immensely in scope and depth during that time As of late 2022 the Foundation has three full time paid track crew members 20 On weekends the volunteer FEBT Rockhill Restoration Crew performs restoration work on the historic railroad except October and December as well as a special work week per year FEBT volunteers restore buildings machinery repair track and rolling stock provide tours and help maintain the premises Since 2002 substantial restoration has occurred on more than half the core maintenance shop complex Several other buildings have received moderate to extensive restoration Five pieces of rolling stock have been returned to operation with three more in progress Six pieces of machinery in the maintenance shops have been restored to operation and some are being used to make parts for other restoration projects Seven pieces of track have received work The crew also works on restoration projects on parts of the railroad outside Rockhill Furnace With the purchase of the railroad by the EBT Foundation which has an excellent working relationship with FEBT restoration work is being greatly accelerated EBTF is providing funding and contractors for major work and the FEBT continues to cover moderate and smaller portions of projects as well as larger non pending projects As of October 2020 yard trackage at Robertsdale which is approximately 19 miles from the heritage Rockhill Furnace station was cleared of brush and the scale track in front of the depot was restored Three coal hopper cars were transported by flatbed truck for display and marked the first time since 1956 that EBT rolling stock returned to the site of its headquarters during its days as a coal carrier 21 In February 2021 workers in the carpentry shop found five cases of century old dynamite In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries railroads commonly used explosives to clear debris Local and federal agencies safely burned off the explosives 22 In October the Friends group announced plans to rebuild the Saltillo station and water tower 23 In December 2021 the railroad received a state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for 1 1M USD The funds will be used to restore and reopen the main line to Saltillo and other capital improvements 24 In May 2022 the railroad took the first steps toward reopening the line from Rockhill Furnace south to Saltillo by cutting down growth and repairing drainage along the right of way 25 The line further south to Robertsdale has two 1874 built tunnels that require significant repair work A drone with LIDAR equipment was used to survey their condition 26 Steam locomotive No 16 which had been dormant since 1956 was fired up in July 2022 as work continued for its entry into excursion service 27 In October the first segment of railroad south of Rockhill Furnace out of service since 1956 reopened as far as PA Route 475 28 A segment of track from Robertsdale south to Wood reopened to lightweight speeder equipment 29 Deteriorated structures at the Colgate picnic grove at the railroad s wye track on the old Clay spur were demolished New pavilions restrooms and a boarding platform are expected to be open for the 2023 season 30 East Broad Top Motive Power Roster 31 Engine No Name Year built Builder Type Wheel arrangement 2023 status3 1923 Baldwin Switcher 0 6 0 Std gauge Out of service12 Millie 1911 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Out of service14 1912 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Out of service15 1914 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Out of service16 Nick 1916 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Operational 19 17 1918 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Out of service18 1920 Baldwin Mikado 2 8 2 Out of serviceM 1 1927 Brill EBT Doodlebug B B In serviceM 3 1928 EBT Inspection car 1A In serviceM 4 1947 Plymouth Switcher B B In serviceM 6 1969 Plymouth Switcher B B In serviceM 7 1964 GE Switcher B B In serviceSee also East Broad Top Railroad Mikado Locomotives In July 2022 the railroad took delivery of the first of four newly constructed passenger cars Constructed by a Bellingham Washington based company they resemble an 1890s era passenger car but with modern amenities such as electric lighting baseboard heating and modern lavatories One car is a baggage combine that will include wheelchair lifts 32 Rockhill Trolley Museum editMain article Rockhill Trolley Museum The Rockhill Trolley Museum operated by Railways to Yesterday adjoins the railroad and offers 3 mile 4 8 km round trip trolley rides during the tourist season on the former Shade Gap Branch of the EBT now re laid with 4 ft 8 1 2 in or 1 435 mm standard gauge which follows Blacklog Creek While the trolley museum is an entirely separate entity it coordinates its schedules with the EBT 33 Friends of the East Broad Top Museum editFEBT operates a museum complex in the community of Robertsdale in Wood Township Pennsylvania known as the Friends of the East Broad Top Museum The museum is located in the East Broad Top Robertsdale Station about 40 minutes from the operating portion of the railroad and contains historic artifacts and documents Robertsdale was hub of the coal mining operations of the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company which hauled the coal on the EBT The goal of the FEBT Museum is to present the history and culture of the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company and the industries it served in the surrounding area 34 FEBT is also nearing completion on the restoration of the RI amp C Co owned Robertsdale Post Office building which will eventually house the museum s exhibits while the station will be fully restored to its period appearance The Robertsdale Historic District 35 and Woodvale Historic District 36 were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 See also edit nbsp National Register of Historic Places portal nbsp Trains portal nbsp Pennsylvania portalKinzua Viaduct the remaining structure sold was scrap to Kovalchik Corporation and is now a Pennsylvania State Park List of heritage railroads in the United States List of National Historic Landmarks in PennsylvaniaReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 East Broad Top Railroad National Historic Landmark summary listing National Park Service Archived from the original on October 7 2012 Retrieved November 18 2020 East Broad Top sold plans full operations by 2021 Retrieved February 14 2020 America s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places Past Listings Retrieved November 17 2020 Cahal Sherman January 20 2020 East Broad Top Railroad Abandonedonline net Retrieved February 22 2020 EBT Timetable May 18 1893 Retrieved February 23 2020 EBT Timetable September 4 1939 Retrieved February 23 2020 East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Roundhouse State Route 994 West of U S Route 522 Rockhill Furnace Huntingdon County PA Library of Congress Retrieved September 6 2016 Burns Adam January 22 2022 A Brief History Of The East Broad Top Old Eastie Retrieved June 22 2022 Buses of the East Broad Top Motor Coach Age July 2015 ISSN 0739 117X Hastings Philip R November 1953 Is It a Sin to be Narrow Gauge Trains Archives Trains com pp 31 49 Retrieved July 22 2022 Springirth Kenneth C February 6 2008 East Broad Top Railroad Mt Pleasant South Carolina Arcadia Publishing ISBN 9780738557540 East Broad Top Railroad Orbisonia PA January 19 2013 Preservation News National Railway Historical Society Retrieved February 17 2020 First section of East Broad Top sold TRAINS Magazine Trn trains com 2013 06 03 Retrieved on 2013 09 18 FEBT Restoration Projects Retrieved February 17 2020 Keith Patt February 15 2020 Plans unveiled for East Broad Top AltoonaMirror com Retrieved February 15 2020 Hawn Kylie June 4 2020 Orbisonia Borough leaders learn of damage The Daily News Huntingdon County Retrieved June 22 2020 Newman Catherine May 6 2020 Historic road bridge damaged CBS WTAJ Altoona Nexstar Broadcasting Inc Retrieved June 22 2020 a b Steam Returns to East Broad Top railfan com White River Publishing February 1 2023 Retrieved February 1 2023 Cupper Dan October 13 2022 Friar Tuck and the East Broad Top Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved October 13 2022 Morgan Ron October 5 2020 Coal hoppers return to Robertsdale Bedford Gazette Bedford Pennsylvania Retrieved November 17 2020 Jackson Devin February 5 2021 East Broad Top Railroad discovers disposes of antique dynamite explosives WTAJ CBS Altoona Pennsylvania Cupper Dan October 11 2021 Friends of East Broad Top wraps up Rockhill shops work looks south Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved November 5 2021 Cupper Dan December 9 2021 East Broad Top gets 1 1 million from state for restoring track other projects Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved December 17 2021 Cupper Dan June 3 2022 East Broad Top begins restoring main line south Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved June 20 2022 Cupper Dan May 27 2022 Drone whirs through East Broad Top tunnels Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved June 20 2022 Watson Adam July 5 2022 Historic EBT locomotive put under steam Bedford Gazette Bedford Pennsylvania Retrieved July 8 2023 Cupper Dan October 11 2022 EBT opens the door on south portion of main line Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved October 13 2022 Morgan Ron October 10 2022 FEBT holds Fall Reunion BedfordGazette com Retrieved October 27 2022 Cupper Dan November 7 2022 Coming at East Broad Top the new Colgate Grove Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved November 9 2022 Coleman Christopher D East Broad Top Railroad Locomotive Roster OldEastie com Retrieved July 7 2022 Cupper Dan July 20 2022 First new coach arrives at East Broad Top Trains com Kalmbach Media Retrieved July 21 2022 The East Broad Top Railroad and the Rockhill Trolley Museum Retrieved November 17 2020 Robertsdale Museum Retrieved November 18 2020 Robertsdale Historic District National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Retrieved November 18 2020 Woodvale Historic District National Register of Historic Places National Park Service Retrieved November 18 2020 Additional reading editRainey Lee Kyper Frank 1982 East Broad Top San Marino CA Golden West Books ISBN 0 87095 078 9 Joseph A Mannix 1960 A quick review of the East Broad Top the narrow gauge of the East Rockhill Furnace Pa East Broad Railroad and Coal Co Cupper Dan January 2021 East Broad Top looks south Trains Kalmbach pp 44 45 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to East Broad Top Railroad East Broad Top Railroad Official Site Friends of the East Broad Top National Register nomination documentation Historic American Buildings Survey HABS No PA 5556 Robertsdale East Broad Top Railroad Depot Historic American Engineering Record HAER No PA 127 East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company HAER No PA 127 A East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Machine Shop HAER No PA 127 B East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Roundhouse HAER No PA 127 C East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Blacksmith Shop HAER No PA 127 D East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Foundry HAER No PA 127 E East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Wood Sheds HAER No PA 127 F East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Sideling Hill Tunnel HAER No PA 127 G East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Orbisonia Depot HAER No PA 127 H East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Paint Shop HAER No PA 127 I East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Farm House HAER No PA 127 J East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Wray s Hill Tunnel HAER No PA 434 A East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Engine House HAER No PA 434 B East Broad Top Railroad amp Coal Company Coal Dock HAER No PA 634 East Broad Top Railroad Saltillo Station HAER No PA 644 East Broad Top Railroad amp Company Water Tank at Coles Station Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company amp oldid 1168964319, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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