In the first weekend of October in Orbisonia Pennsylvania, the “East Broad Top RR” is having their annual “Fall Spectacular”. If you are a fan of Narrow Gauge Steam Trains, then I would make plans to visit the RR that weekend. (The Rockhill Trolley Museum is also open and give rides on old trolley cars…Well worth the trip and the price is right too!)
Besides riding trains and trolley’s, I would recommend that you go on several tours (The shops is well worth going through and the guides know exactly what they talk about!).that are done by the group called “Friends of the East Broad Top”. I recommend three tours to go on:
- Mount Union Yard
- Orbisonia Shop Complex (I think the Roundhouse is included, but not sure)
- Robertsdale Mine tour
I have been on all 3 tours and I highly recommend them! (Especially the Mine Tour in Robertsdale)
This is the 1st time posting here, but if you have been to the EBT RR and care to respond, feel free to respond here. I would love to hear your trip and if you enjoyed it.
Sincerely,
Tim (EBT #12) Lewis
…Welcome to the forum Tim. Yes, we’ve been there but you probably won’t believe when…It was 1960…! Rode in the passenger car with the wicker chairs. Enjoyed the visit.
Im too far away to go but I remember #17 and her whistle. I heard that engine is not allowed to be steamed up anymore.
The Trolley is still running? That is great!
Of the 6 mikados on the property, only #15 is up to the current boiler regs. #14 was operational last year and they’re trying to get permission to operate it as a backup or second engine at the Spectacular. No word on that yet.
#17 needs at least flues. All were surveyed a couple years ago and #15 was determined to be the best candidate for the major work. Rumor has it that they dropped about $750K on it. All out of the Kovalchick family’s pockets. I doubt very much the railroad income even pays its own salaries and coal bill.They would tend to favor the smaller engines, as they’re easier on the track.
My whole family will be there, as usual.
My mother grew up in Robertsdale … rode the EBT to go to see the dentist and stuff as a young girl.
My grandfather (and his brothers and father) worked for the Rockhill Coal Co.
Greg