Model Train Journal

Been plowing through old railroad trade journals, looking for photos of various obscure railway officials...came across this brief June, 1913 article regarding new equipment for the East Broad Top:



Got me wondering about the EBT and what's happened to it since it shut down a decade (or so) ago. Always figured it had Cass beat, but then Cass has the backing of West Virginia. Another one of those things I hate to think I've seen the last of.

Healey

It's up for sale but no takers. Asking price is rumored to be around 8 mill for everything including the land.

There is a non profit that has put considerable effort into stabilizing structures, basic restoration, and maintenance all done with the blessing of the owner. Mikado will require extensive/expensive rehab work to run again. Guy that owns it is in his eighties. No one is sure what happens when he passes away.

Was there just the one Mikado? I seem to remember a number of locomotives, but I don't recall their configurations

INTERESTING

East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Broa ... al_Company

Operating from 1871 to 1956, it is one of the nation's oldest and best-preserved narrow-gauge railroads, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The railroad, now preserved for use as a tourist attraction, has not operated public excursions since December 2011 and has operated no excursions since October 2013. As of March 2019 the railroad was still for sale from its current owner.[3]

I think I have seen this picture posted on here before ?

They own a total of eight steam engines and an M1 motor car.

Brings back some great memories. The Old Man loved that place...

chuck wrote:They own a total of eight steam engines and an M1 motor car.

Just over the mountain and up the road from my place in PA, and right across the street from the Rockhill trolley museum operation.

I thought there were just 5 Mikados of which 3 were operational (at one time). There was also a diesel locomotive in service last time I was there.

There were six Mikado's and two 0-6-0 switchers.

https://www.american-rails.com/ebt.html

None of the steam engines are in an operable state. Diesel is mentioned but no details given. Line/trackage has access to Rockhill Trolly Museum.

Both EBT and Rockhill are hellangon to nowhere. You have to be dedicated to go find them. Might help if the Friends organization would fund some advertisements. Also would be nice if Friends could get support to extend trackage.
BTW, pro tip, do not ride in an open-top car.
Beats me how Cass does it, although it is freeway close. The trolley museum in western PA is a pip, but, at least when we visited, was not o'erflowing with patrons. I *suspect*it gets some public money.

chuck wrote:There were six Mikado's and two 0-6-0 switchers.

https://www.american-rails.com/ebt.html

None of the steam engines are in an operable state. Diesel is mentioned but no details given. Line/trackage has access to Rockhill Trolly Museum.

Ok, 6 - I guess I never saw the the 6th one. Thought the 0-6-0's were up in Mt. Union and not been operated in many decades (5+).

Diesel is a 50T center cab ballasted up to 55T.

There were some other speeders, too.

Trackage over to the Trolley Museum is dual gauge and is part of the wye that the EBT trains used to use.

Are there still coal mines in the area that this could be used for. If not maybe they should just tear the the tracks out and convert to biking and hiking trails. They are doing that around the rest of the country.

They is too much liability running steam engines for an excursion train.

rex desilets wrote:Both EBT and Rockhill are hellangon to nowhere. You have to be dedicated to go find them.

Ok, so it's not on a convenient 6 lane super highway............but it's less that 2 hours from DC and not at all hard to get find or get to either.

HONDO74 wrote:Are there still coal mines in the area that this could be used for.

There are but only if you want to really lose money.

If not maybe they should just tear the the tracks out and convert to biking and hiking trails. They are doing that around the rest of the country.

True, but sad. Particularly when the time has rolled around and now not having the right of way to put back in commuter rails lines happens.

They is too much liability running steam engines for an excursion train.

Well, they ran them up until about 2013 along with the diesel and the M-1. It's also a designated Nat'l Historical Site.

Every year I think I'm going to get over the mountain and visit again, and don't get there. The trolley museum has some very nice equipment and they operate regularly. Been too long.....

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

rex desilets wrote:Both EBT and Rockhill are hellangon to nowhere. You have to be dedicated to go find them.

Ok, so it's not on a convenient 6 lane super highway............but it's less that 2 hours from DC and not at all hard to get find or get to either.

Really...two hours from DC? Hammer down, mate. I can barely get to Gettysburg in 45 minutes.

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
Every year I think I'm going to get over the mountain and visit again, and don't get there. The trolley museum has some very nice equipment and they operate regularly. Been too long.....

I agree. Even if it's shuttered, it would be nice to see what's there again.