Off The Beaten Path, Pt. 2: Vestiges of the East Broad Top RR

Part 2 of a 2-part series, continues a narrated drive through some of Central Pennsylvania's seldom-seen vestiges of railroad heritage, this time the famous East Broad Top narrow gauge railroad. From the southern operating hub of the railroad and its sister coal company we follow the mainline north and east to the twin boroughs of Rockhill and Orbisonia, where this episode concludes.

[@candlewoodvalleyscenicrail2062]

That was a fun ride-along! I know most of this route fairly well as we recently camped near Saxton on Raystown Lake for both the Winter Spectacular and the '23 FEBT Annual Reunion. What I didn't know was where all the road crossings were that you noted along the ride. My first explorations 20+ years ago utilized your text based guide from Chris's website to find things. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to ride to Pogue, but before that I'm sure we'll se #16 cross Odd Fellow's Cemetery Rd. heading South, rather than stopping there for photo ops.

[@historysablast]

Thanks

[@jimmybraum942]

Amazing to think how many times this railroad avoided fading into memory

[@historysablast]

Yep!

[@SunnyJohn45]

Good to see you again Vagel.

[@historysablast]

Thanks. Glad you liked the video.

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video!

[@historysablast]

Thank you. We’re glad you enjoyed riding along on a drive that we think never gets too old.

[@ReggieArford]

Never, never, NEVER say that the EBT RR was "abandoned"! It was not, although the paperwork was filed so the Company /could/ have done it. Since it wasn't "abandoned", PennDoT had to move a new highway bridge abutment and rebuild destroyed railroad track under Rt. 522 just north of Shirleysburg, PA. Also, the Mt. Union yard had to be bypassed, and Blacklog...

[@historysablast]

Slip of the tongue. As I remember the history, the East Broad Top RR and Coal Co. filed a request for abandonment with the Interstate Commerce Commission. Public hearings were duly held and ICC approved the company's request. So the railroad was, in fact, abandoned by the RR and Coal Co.. But I admit that it was a temporary abandonment. The RR cleaned up the line, that is to say, it moved all of the rolling stock still out on the line to storage in the yards at Rockhill and Mt. Union, operations then ceased, the fires in the boilers in the shops were dumped, the workers put down their tools and went home to households that no longer had electric service from the dynamo in the shops, and the company sold the property to the Kovalchick Salvage Co. It was the Kovalchick Co. that then filed for a stay of abandonment in light of its intention to continue tourist train operations after the success of the Summer of 1960. So, yes, the railroad wasn't abandoned, or, more to the point, the railroad was un-abandoned. And I neglected to add a comment to that effect when we were driving past the S. Huntingdon Co. H.S. and talking about the motor car run ca. 1960. But you are right ... one should never say the EBT was abandoned, as it leaves the wrong impression with would-be artifact scavengers, arsonists (which, by the way, have destroyed a lot of EBT heritage over the years) and noodges on the interwebs.

[@shreader327]

I remember when those people stole the railroad track from the EBT. We all were really upset about it. It never should have happened.

[@historysablast]

I remember that, as well. The thieves waited until the General Manager was away on vacation and presented a letter of authorization with his faked signature to people along that very isolated stretch of track. The thieves were caught but after the fact.

[@Dichuz91]

the good news about the station and water tank in saltillo is that the FEBT as already announced that they will be rebuilding them in preparation for the trains return to the town

[@historysablast]

Thanks