Do know of this RR. Never been there. Always have a hope that there will come a day when a large portion of the line is restored for operation. Glad for the miracle of it's survival at all. Boxcab E50
well it is doing well the national parks are thinking about taking over the railroad if they do there is talk about them restoring the whole line and all the buildings. thanks Mike
If you hear any further news about this, please do post it. I'd be delighted to read more. Boxcab E50
as soon as I know you will know Mike If you hear any further news about this, please do post it. I'd be delighted to read more. Boxcab E50 </font>[/QUOTE]
The National Park Service has been out of the EBT picture for over a decade now. They did some positive things while they were there from about 1987-1991, but moved on after Steamtown. They seemed to loose interest in acquiring another rail resource after that. Since then, the Kovalchick family has been mostly holding it together by themselves. #12 and #17 have been taken out of service after the 200 and 2001 seasons respectively as they need repairs. #15 has been out if service for the FRA mandated 15 year boiler inspection. #14 has been the sole operating steamer since the 2002 season and will have to undergo an FRA inspection also. On the brigth side FEBT has been onsite since 2002 performing restoration work on the Shop buildings, rolling stock and track. The railroad paid a contractor to reroof the Roundhouse and Farm House, both of which needed it badly. #15 should be outshopped late this year and be FRA compliant for 15 years. Attendinace at the Fall Events (Fall Spectaculars) Was excellent in 2003 despite less steam. All in all, things were looking grim in early 2002, but have been steadily improving since then.
very interesting but I just saw a show on tracks ahead tv show that they said that the park service was interested in the EBT, that said I am not sure when that was filmed but it looked recent. it would be great if they would do that so the EBT would be completly restored. if not it is still a great RR. and I will visit as many times as I can. thanks for the info Mike BTW let me know if you know any more on this.
Chris- I seem to recall an effort to acquire, and return to PA, a couple of ex-EBT passenger cars? (Located possibly in Colorado?) Do you know what happened with this project? Boxcab E50
yes they are at the EBT I belive they are being restored right now but i am not sure . BTW if you ever get to the EBT go into Lewistown and then into bernum {might not be spelled right} after you get there go behind the ollies store and there are a hole string of abandon rail cars there are 2-3 amtrak 5 or so army cars that are in vety bad shape. an old amtrak caboose a crane and 1-2 old SW1500's sitting around. word has it that the man that ownes thease railcars is also the owner of the EBT, he also ownes the standard steel plant thay are near. Mike
The Tracks Ahead show that mentioned the NPS was from 1996 and the info was dated even then. The Bernum scarpyard is owned by Kovalchick Salvage which also owns the EBT. The cars from Colorado are nestled in the EBT shops. There will be no moves to restore them until 1) a plan is in place for the restoration and 2) a suitable work site is arranged. Their current locaton is unsutable for resrotaion of the cars (no lighting, no heat, windows out, limite power.) The important thing now is that they are protected from the elements. More quetstions? I'll try to field them.
Chris- Glad to hear the news that the cars did get back home. Their future should be brighter now! Thanks!! Boxcab E50
This probably isn’t the best place for this but it seems to fit. If anyone is interested in a video of the East Broad Top, I have a nice video that I made last summer when I visited the railroad. The video is in VHS format and I’m, selling it for $15.00 + shipping. If anyone is interested email me at: phantom@eznetbbs.tzo.com and let me know your from train board and we will nock $5.00 off the price. You may also see our web page at : http://eznetbbs.tzo.com:8080/ph/page6.html to see other videos we have available. Phantom videos phantom@eznetbbs.tzo.com
Yea, not much to report as of now. The only engine they have operating now is 14! People from the Strasburg Railroad are suppose to be coming down soon to work on #15. As far as restoring her to her original points. The owners have sold some of the land, so that won't be possible now. I don't live to far from EBT and my Nephew knows everyone up there, so I get the inside scoop sometimes. I also have information on EBT on my web-site with several galleries, along with some video's of CSX/NS. Located at ILOVETRAINS Here's a picture of my last visit. [ 13. May 2004, 18:27: Message edited by: ilovetrains ]
Want another picture?? Very well. Here is another picture of #14. Look how bad she looks. Oh, here is the old 2 stall engine house located in Mt. Union, notice the dual gauge rails. One more pic. Town of Mt. Union, where the EBT meet The PRR, to this day you can still see many, many decaying hopper cars!
I know I probably shouldn't have done multiple posts like this, but I kept thinking of more. LOL Here's a few more tid bits. First, There is a shortline being built on the old EBT tracks in Mt. Union, called "The Mt. Union Connecting". They have restored some of the dual gauge trackage there. They have refurbished the 2 stall engine house. The picture above shows that. Also, what you don't see is the Old 0-6-0 EBT Standard gauge switcher inside (non operating). Also, the above mentioned ex EBT cars, were Baggage #29 and Combine #18 and I believe it was "The Friends Of East Broad Top" that saved them. To me, EBT is in a poor state and in need of major repairs!
After years of living within 100 miles of EBT, I visted last sunday, June 6. I was amazed..here is a little railroad that was self sufficant, and is STILL nearly complete! It is a shame this is not a nationaly funded museum. I doubt if there is anything like it, specially narrow gauge, in the USA. Here are a few photos. Tom Holder, engineer. Tom "oils around" Broadside! Pretty train. I can't wait to go back! Ed
I didn't get a chance to make it opening day, is #14, still using #15's tender? Doesn't look like much of a turnout.. Oh.. Plus they have to fix the grade crossing.. The town was complaing, but EBT has some sort of deal in the works with PennDot, I believe, along with the town to help fund it.
Yes, she's still using 15's tender. This is the first train. The second and third had more folks. This opening weekend they sold shop tours. That was a blast. This whole place is such a step back into time..just wonderful. It DOES need to be restored, along with the other steam engines. The crossing seemed to be fairly smooth to me. So much so, some of the locals, with children of the train vistors milling around, seemed to see how fast they could cross the thing. I think removable speed bumps need to be placed on either side of that crossing, about 50' back. That speeding was the only complaint we had all day. Ed
