Snapshot - February 2024

 

 Diesel switcher M-7 assembling the first morning train. 

The East Broad Top Railroad

A Step Back In Railroad History……by Don Janes 

Part One

     In Oct.2023 my wife and I set out for a railfanning week in Pennsylvania and Maryland. One of the primary reasons for the trip was to visit the narrow gauge East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania.  The railroad sat dormant for quite a few years and was recently brought back to life by new owners with various grants and donations helping to retore the railroad. I had read about the EBT and now that they were running live steam again, I thought it was a good time to visit.  We had planned to visit the railroad on a Saturday but while at the Stausburg Railroad I ran into another railfan who was quite knowledgeable about the EBT and he informed me that they were running trains on Friday for a private group of people but it would be totally accessible for photos but without the usual crowds.  We arrived at the station in Orbisonia (in the borough of Rockhill Furnace) on Friday morning to take in the events of the day right from the beginning.  We would take the four mile train ride the next day when it was open to the public.

        One of the highlights besides watching and riding the steam train was a walking tour of the shops. The railroad shut down in the mid 1950’s and everything remains almost the same as the day they locked the doors.  A lot of foundation work had to be done to stabilize the buildings but all the machinery was left much the same as when it closed.  They are currently rebuilding one of the steam engines and doing some other restoration work on some of the other equipment in one section of the shops.  The roundhouse is also an interesting spot and there are several EBT steam engines that have been inside since the 1950’s and are in very good condition since they were under cover for years, out of the harsh elements. All in all, it was a great two days of experiencing the glory days of steam railroading.  The EBT is doing a great job of restoring the railroad and hopefully will continue to do so for years to come.

A closer view of M-7

Railfans gather at the Orbisonia depot for the morning’s special train.

EBT #16 has just finished running around the wye and is heading to pick up her train in the yard.

#16 backs down to her train by the main shop

The first run of the day is seen departing Orbisonia.

#16 rolls along a fill about 3 miles from town. Today’s consist is a mixed train.

The train is passing over a country road about a mile from the current end of track.