East broad top railroad history book

East broad top railroad profile and history trains magazine. The east broad top railroad trains magazine trains news. George hilton notes in his book, american narrow gauge railroads. The railroad, which was built beginning in 1872, is the only surviving threefoot gauge common carrier railroad east of the rocky mountains. The railroad, which was built beginning in 1872, is the only surviving threefoot gauge common carrier railroad east. Example of early 20thcentury motive power by a steam engine. If you are seriously interested in the east broad top railroad, either as a modeler or historian, this book is the absolute must have. The next chapter in the history of the maryland and pennsylvania railroad continues to be written. Recent studies undertaken by the national park service have concluded that the east broad top railroad the ebt is the best remaining example in the nation of a regional narrowgauge railroad system. Historic east broad top railroad chugs toward financial. The east broad top railroad and coal company ebt is a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge historic railroad headquartered in rockhill furnace, pennsylvania, 19 miles 31 km north of interstate 76 the pennsylvania turnpike and 11 miles 18 km south of u.

Dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the east broad top railroad national historic landmark. An agency chronicling this regions industrial lineage is hunting for money to turn the story of the persevering little east broad top railroad into a. East broad top railroad railroad signals of the us. A year later the pennsylvania railroad and the new york central called a truce, and the halfdug tunnels of the south penn were abandoned for the next 50 years. When you visit the east broad top railroad today, you will find a ghost railroad, shut down over 50 years ago, but never abandoned. The goal of the febt museum is to present the history and culture of the east broad top railroad and coal. The east broad top railroad receives a charter from the pennsylvania legislature. Shortly beforehand, the directors decide to save money by building a threefootgauge line. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. With a decline in the hauling of coal, service ended in 1956. East broad top railroad, pennsylvania images of rail. East broad top railroad by frank kyper, lee rainey alibris.

Americas oldest and most authentic 36 gauge railroad. Starting in 1906, the east broad top railroad upgraded their shops facility, not to. This book, now printed in soft cover, is available from the society. It is in essence a 19th century narrow gauge railroad and industrial site that has been frozen in time. Observation tower how to keep track of all those books. Nonprofit buys east broad top railroad, plans to renovate.

Columbus day weekend the friends of the east broad top febt gathered for their annual fall reunion in rockhill furnace, pennsylvania. The east broad top is a national historic landmark and is listed on the national register of historic places. The east broad top is many things a delightful family destination, a national historic landmark, a great volunteer opportunity, an unparalleled preservation undertaking, and more. The book depicts this unique 3 foot gauge coal hauler in the 40s and 50s. Judy ward, who represents southern huntingdon county. Nick kovalchick, president of the kovalchick salvage. The east broad top railroad and coal company ebt is a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge. The east broad top, or ebt, is one of the true gems of the east, being the only operating railroad that still exists almost in its entirety from the way it was when it stopped revenue operation back in april of 1956. Mar 24, 2011 a quick photo look over the east broad top railroad then and now with just a few places along the line.

Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. A map of the east broad top shop complex located at rockhill furnace. The east broad top railroad is a unique historic asset that is a national treasure representing our areas rich railroad heritage, says state sen. Very little has changed since its abandonment in 1956 and reopening.

Ebt was chartered 16 apr 1856, to mine and transport coal from the broad top coal field. Route 522, rockhill furnace, huntingdon county, pa. The east broad top railroad and shops is likely the most ignored historical gem in the midatlantic region. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Very amazing place rich with history and good people. The east broad top had a long career of carrying mostly coal but also limestone, lumber, and bark. This event was the first time in several years that more than one locomotive would.

The east broad top railroad and coal company was chartered in 1856. A description of the east broad top narrow gauge railroad in rock hill furnace. Railway preservation news view topic east broad top sale. Then ceramic brick came along, better than silica, and the local industry dried up.

Plans unveiled for east broad top news, sports, jobs. In fact, in some cities halloween was cancelled and children were left without treats. It has been out of print for many years and not easy to find. Sep 21, 2010 the railroad is based on the east broad top rr which still operates today as a tourist line in orbisonia, pa southcentral pa. Construction did not begin until 1872, after the roads directors had chosen a track gauge of 3 feet. East broad top annual reunion 2015 the blacklog valley. In october 2005 the east broad top was holding their annual fall spectacular. The east broad top railroad operated over a 33mile main line from alvan to mt.

This event was the first time in several years that more than one locomotive would be operational. A nonprofit foundation has purchased pennsylvanias storied east broad top railroad and plans several events on the railroad in 2020, with the aim of resuming regular operation in 2021. The east broad top connected the valley to the pennsylvania railroad, which carried those bricks to build the great steel furnaces of pittsburgh. The storm produced unusually early season snowfall across the northeastern united states, breaking records for total accumulations. Awesome morning flow testing for phase 1 of the east broad top project.

Financial difficulties delayed construction of the railroad until a group of businessmen from eastern pennsylvania revived the ebt charter on 3 jul 1871. With all its unique features, the east broad top railroad has lots of appeal as a prototype for modeling. Historic east broad top railroad chugs toward financial collapse. Aug 10, 2012 in october 2005 the east broad top was holding their annual fall spectacular. After numerous delays, construction of the railroad begins in mount union.

The east broad top quit running in 1956, and the valley has been pretty quiet since. The life and times of the east broad top railroad notes. East broad top rr press release pennsylvania magazine. 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 rightofway in 1867 and was able to construct the railroad as a 3 ft 914 mm narrow gauge line in 18721874. This was my first reunion, and i was looking forward to spending a few days exploring the railroad and meeting some of the people who have worked hard to preserve this unique narrow gauge railroad. East broad top railroad and coal company wikipedia. Chartered in 1856, the east broad top railroad began operating in 1873 through scenic huntingdon county in southcentral pennsylvania. This wellmanaged narrowgauge railroad connected the isolated broad top mountain coal field with the pennsylvania railroad at mount union. Operate and preserve the national historic landmark east broad top railroad in mount union, pa. East broad top railroad and millions of other books are available for amazon. Having visited the east broad top i have been interested in. Railroad history, uncategorized tagged 2017, east broad top, friends of the east broad top post navigation. Inside the east broad top the trackside photographer.

The east broad top railroad trains magazine trains. This is an incomplete list of all the suppliers i know of that offer ebt models. East broad top to the mines and back by grenard kramer 1980 railroad train book. This book is different in that there is more of a focus on what was done in the. The east broad top railroad posted by robert willison on saturday, september 30, 2017 10. Today the coal mines have been closed and the railroad is operated as a tourist railroad. George hilton notes in his book, american narrow gauge railroads, it was originally chartered on april 16, 1856 to serve mines located along a rich 80 squaremile seam of bituminous coal found on the broad top mountain plateau. Looking forward to being a part of preserving this rare hidden history book. East broad top historical research scanned to cd ebay. Financial difficulties delayed construction of the railroad until a group of businessmen from eastern pennsylvania revived the. While i have studied and ridden the ebt many times since the mid sixties, the book answered a lot of questions and greatly expanded my knowledge of the road. East broad top railroad preservation association guidestar.

However, the first completed section of 3foot narrow gauge track was not complete until august 30, 1873, and ran from mount union to rockhill furnace. More than 250 local residents, rail buffs, tourism leaders and members of the new ebt foundation inc. East broad top railroad nearly 100yearold station and shop complex. An agency chronicling this regions industrial lineage is hunting for money to turn the story of the persevering little east broad top railroad into a history course. Apart from the five miles of track north of rockhill furnace that is currently in operation, the nonoperating track, bridges and tunnels are gradually crumbling away. That volume is a permanent fixture on my living room.

Buy east broad top railroad by frank kyper, lee rainey online at alibris. Having visited the east broad top i have been interested in seeing more photographs from the railroads past. This wellmanaged narrowgauge railroad connected the isolated broad top mountain coal field with the pennsylvania railroad. The east broad top railroad national historic landmark, in the ninecounty aihp area, relates to the aihps transportation theme. East broad top railroad, pennsylvania images of rail series. Sixty years ago, that quote by east broad top railroad owner nick. Early on in my photography and train chasing career you were an early influence, especially with your book titled colorful east broad top. The threefootgauge trackage twisted along a picturesque 32mile route connecting mount union, orbisonia and robertsdale in remote and beautiful southcentral pennsylvania. May 18, 2017 the current chapter the last time i saw the east broad top under steam was october 29th, 2011, during a freak prewinter blizzard fondly referred to as snowtober. Through vintage photographs, east broad top railroad showcases the steam locomotives, rolling stock, and railroad yard at rockhill furnace. Be sure to check out garden railway basics, kevins book on building and maintaining garden railroads for information on how the trr was built. A quick photo look over the east broad top railroad then and now with just a few places along the line.