"LSC Home Page" said:49 years as a tourist RR, but still operating as the original company :D
1960 - East Broad Top Railroad reopened as a tourist railroad.
And the saga continues, each and every day. If anyone is unfamiliar with the EBT, try -
http://www.spikesys.com/EBT/Tour/top.html
and
I really don’t understand the infactuation to the line or perhaps I’m just ignorant /spoiled on that end of my life?
Never seen it yet it resides so close?
David Russell said:The EBT is cool for many of the same reasons your house is cool. Ralph
I really don't understand the infactuation to the line or perhaps I'm just ignorant /spoiled on that end of my life? Never seen it yet it resides so close?
David Russell said:
I really don’t understand the infactuation to the line or perhaps I’m just ignorant /spoiled on that end of my life? Never seen it yet it resides so close?
(http://www.trainweb.org/rgs/EBT02.jpg)
(http://www.trainweb.org/rgs/EBT03.jpg)
Just something about the place…
Living history my good man…living history…
David,
I think the infatuation is that when you cross Blacklog Creek, its like time has stood still. Not as a history museum, but truely a way of life. In many ways, I wish I lived as close as you do. I feel it would be interesting to be a stronger part of the group that is working to maintain the area or some of the equipment, whether it is traction, mechanical, steam or even hand powered.
Living history indeed…
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_3232.JPG)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_3263.JPG)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_4903.JPG)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_4916.JPG)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_3282.JPG)
Ric Golding said:
David,I think the infatuation is that when you cross Blacklog Creek, its like time has stood still. Not as a history museum, but truely a way of life.
In looking at the pictures I totally understand that quote!
Bruce said:
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/thejoat/Locomotives/EBT/Prototype/IMG_3232.JPG)
.
Is that pit an ash pit or an inspection pit? It just seems odd that there would be a pit so close to the water plug.
It’s an inspection pit. The straight route in foreground is the roundhouse lead. The ash pit is behind the camera, just prior to the turntable.
David Russell said:Maybe I'l talk you into a railfan trip one day and we'll go to EBT before you dieselize me.
I really don't understand the infactuation to the line or perhaps I'm just ignorant /spoiled on that end of my life? Never seen it yet it resides so close?
Great pics, Bruce!
Dave -
We all know you are a modern diesel guy, but we also know you have a great appreciation for old relics. Here’s my advice…
Go vist the EBT on a Friday when the trains aren’t running and very few people around. You can walk freely around Orbisonia yard and the outside of the shops complex. If you are anything like me you will be able to feel the railroading that was happening there over 50 years ago. I got the same feeling sleeping on a WWII battleship at Battleship Park. It’s weird, but good.
Then stick around for the trains on Saturday. Take a Roundhouse/Shop tour if you go on a weekend they are offering them. The shops are a fantastic fully preserved steam-powered & belt driven heavy machine shop. The belt system and most of the machinery no longer runs, but you can tell that when the EBT shut down, the workers simply laid down their tools and went home.
In the roundhouse you will see 5 Mikado steam locomotives original to the property. At the moment only one is running, but there are plans to get at least one more back in steam.
The entire right-of-way still exists with rail in-place from Mt. Union to the mines South of Robertsdale. It can be hiked, but best done in very early spring when the vegetation is down. Be aware that this is rattlesnake country. Only a short section of the original track is operated by the tourist train, but another mile or two of track has recently been cleared South of the yards and is operated using track speeders original to the property. The speeder ride alone is worth the trip 
Trains run weekends only June through October. The next “big” weekend will be the Fall Spectacular October 9-11 where everything that runs, including M1, the only operating narrow gauge gas-electric in the world, will be out on the line.
BTW - There is also the very nice Rockhill Trolley Museum on the property. They have a huge collection of vintage trolleys and have a couple of miles of track laid down the formerly abandon Shade Gap branch. They run tons of stuff during the Spectacular weekend.
You mean those aren’t pics of Kevins place!!
Thanks to Ric, I’ve been walking around the EBT I think for the past 4 or 5 years now… Wonderful area, with all kinds of examples of early railroading… I have yet to be there, when anything was running… Sometimes, it even rained…
The ““Friends”” of the EBT are doing a great job in helping to clean it all up, trying to save and restore it…
And yes, I’m a Diesel guy also, but there’s always a place for history and historical places…
PS: if you go via the turnpike, watch out how many ““Doughballs”” you eat in town at the Restaurant… Next thing you know, you went from a Class 1 vehicle to a Class 2… IF you ticket don’t show up at the bottom, look up…
Mr Radder,
Thank you for your advice as it quite appreciated! Not into crowds and hype but your first few sentences sound very appealing and I believe you understand me a bit. I really think the boy and myself need to make a trip out there as I’m feeling that it’s a different atmosphere than Strasburg. Just never really checked into it… too close not to see it though. Actually Zachariah love’s steam…little bugger wanted to take his Aunt(my sister) to Middletown Hummelstown RR and talked them (at the RR) into letting them into the shed where they are working on Number 91 ex CP steamer.
Cool. Well, if you go on a regular weekend you’re not likely to run into much of a crowd. Spectacular weekend is more crowded, but still nothing like Strassburg on a busy weekend.
Any one have pictures of the back head detail on a running EBT loco? I’m just looking for ideas…
Oh shoot…theres one in that little paperback book on the EBT looking from the tender…I’ll see if I can find it…