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The East Broad Top will run again and again.’ - Non-profit group, backed by prominent industry figures, purchases Pennsylvania narrow gauge line

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The East Broad Top will run again and again.’ - Non-profit group, backed by prominent industry figures, purchases Pennsylvania narrow gauge line
Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Saturday, February 15, 2020 12:22 PM

From the NewsWire: 

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/02/14-east-broad-top-sold-plans-full-operations-by-2021 

Wonderful news!  Revived from near-death is not an exaggeration.  Glad to see the new group has the expertise and finances to make it happen. 

Lot of good memories from trips out there in the 1960s and early 1970s. 

Might be a fun one to work on when I retire . . .

- PDN.

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, February 15, 2020 1:03 PM

Cue the anti-rail folks:  This would make a great trail!

 

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Juniata Man on Saturday, February 15, 2020 1:11 PM

tree68

Cue the anti-rail folks:  This would make a great trail!

 

 

 

Fortunately; the EBT is ALL private property.  It's also far enough removed from the tree hugger crowd they most likely don't even know it exists.

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Posted by samfp1943 on Monday, February 17, 2020 12:26 PM

You have to wish them[EBT Foundation] well!  WowYeahBow

Captain  NOW! I wonder if they will have a concessioneer to furnish some

            Amish 'Pick-up trucks' to run to 'end of track'?Whistling 

 

 


 

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Posted by Paul_D_North_Jr on Monday, February 17, 2020 6:03 PM

Buggy rides around Rockhill Furnace/ Orbisonia while waiting for the train or trolley!

Nearby Raystown Lake (large by PA standards) and tourism is a lot more active out that way than it was 40 -60 years ago.  The main EBT station at Rockhill Furnace / Orbisonia is on US 522 and not far off another big highway in the area, US 22.  Only about 10 - 12 'crow' miles north of the PA Turnpike I-76, but there's no interchange where US 522 crosses it - Willow Hill about 5 miles to the east has crummy local roads, but Fort Littleton is only about 3 - 4 miles west and does have a decent local road paralleling the Turnpike.  

- PDN. 

"This Fascinating Railroad Business" (title of 1943 book by Robert Selph Henry of the AAR)
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Posted by zugmann on Monday, February 17, 2020 6:42 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr
Willow Hill about 5 miles to the east has crummy local roads, but Fort Littleton is only about 3 - 4 miles west and does have a decent local road paralleling the Turnpike.

Crummy?  You get to go up and over the one ridge.  Actually a nice/scenic ride, unless someone is terrified of driving on grades.

  

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, February 17, 2020 6:51 PM

I LOVE driving on grades, North Jersey's full of 'em, and that's where I learned to drive!  "If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere!"

Even more fun in the dark with poor visability, ask around!  Surprise

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Posted by Fred M Cain on Friday, March 6, 2020 9:35 AM

Yes, but is there any hope at all that any of the rest of the line could be restored?  I rode on the EBT about 25 years ago while it was still operating for tourists.  I thought the ride was way to short.  At that time rails were still in place all the way to Union, PA although they hadn't been used for years.  I think some of the rails are still in place south of Rockhill Furnace as well.  Not sure what kind of condition they're in. 

Regards,

Fred M. Cain

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Posted by zugmann on Friday, March 6, 2020 10:36 AM

Fred M Cain
Yes, but is there any hope at all that any of the rest of the line could be restored? 

There's always hope, but let's get them running something somewhere first. 

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, March 6, 2020 11:25 AM

zugmann

 

 
Fred M Cain
Yes, but is there any hope at all that any of the rest of the line could be restored? 

 

There's always hope, but let's get them running something somewhere first. 

 

You have to learn to walk before you can run.  Zug's right.

Get one or even better two locomotives up and running.  Rehab that five miles of track.  Then see what follows.

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, March 6, 2020 5:08 PM

Follow the vastly more detailed threads on this subject on RyPN if you want details on the pros and cons of opening 'more of the railroad' to tourism, and on what kind of schedule.  Of course, there are many opinions, not all backed up by the necessary volunteer effort or dedicated finance to make it happen.

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