A fine column today by Salena Zito called simply "Railroad Story."
I think you'll like it! Who doesn't like an underdog who makes good story?
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/railroad-story
Thank you! I live about 50 Miles away. I ride it at least once a year. Within a 120 mile radius, I also have the East Broad Top, Western Maryland Scenic, and Oil Creek and Titusville. I've already ridden the EBT twice and the other two once this summer. As soon as I hear that the Mallet is running, I will be back at the Western Maryland Scenic. This part of Pennsylvania is great for railfans!
Hi Father Al! Good to see you again!
Pennsylvania seems to be railfan heaven, all sorts of places to go. Personally, I want to go to Strasburg to die!
I've been there, too. Exactly four years ago today. Took the last ride of the day. Then I missed the turn going home. Ended up on US 30 west. Spent the night in Chambersburg. The next day I passed by the East Broad Top. The plan is to reopen as much of it as possible.
Father, it's too bad you didn't go east on US 30, there's a great diner in Ronks PA called the Route 30 Diner, it used to be called "Jennys" in the early 2000's when we were there.
Great portions when we stopped in. I ordered a hot turkey sandwich and got half a turkey on it! The wife ordered the turkey dinner and got the other half! I can't say if it's like that now but man were we impressed!
A friend who was with us ordered the pork roast. Are you familiar with the expression "the whole hog?"
Oh yeah, the East Broad Top. From what I've been hearing the folks involved with bringing it back to life really have the bit between their teeth, it's coming back faster than most have expected.
Flintlock76Father, it's too bad you didn't go east on US 30, there's a great diner in Ronks PA called the Route 30 Diner, it used to be called "Jennys" in the early 2000's when we were there.
The family of the original Jenny's did open up another place - "Aunt Jenny's on 41" or something over a few miles in Gap.
I've never been - but I've heard mixed reviews about both.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Father Al, I don't know if you're still looking in but a nice young man named Harrison who's an aquaintance of mine has an upcoming video on New England railroads. There's a little teaser he shot at White River Junction on his YouTube site you might find interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/c/northcountrytrains
Cool. I don't really get back to New England that much. I did take a vacation in the summer of 2018. I rode the two footer on the Portland Maine waterfront. Then I went to New Hampshire and rode the Conway Scenic and Mt. Washington Cog railroads, should brought warm clothing for the latter!
I forgot to mention the across the street from the EBT station in Orbisonia is the Rockhill Trolley Museum. Part of the EBT right of way was standard gauged and catanery installed. So one can visit the EBT and ride the museum's trolleys at the same time.
Driving south from Mt. Union on US 522, you can see the three foot tracks, pretty overgrown in spots. The EBT hopes to restore as much as possible, and in the process, giving a boost to the local economy.
nd
Update: I rode the Everett Saturday. Terrific! To add to the authenticity, there was a group of about 20 young men and women dressed up in 1940's attire! They were students from a Catholic college here in Greensburg. Since I also stood out dressed as an Orthodox priest, they kind of adopted me. I was pleasantly surprised at how much history they knew, something sadly lacking nowadays.
As for the ride, a diesel was on the rear, to help push the train uphill. For the return trip, the diesel was cut off. The Mogul was turned around and coupled to the other end, so that it could run "as God intended" to quote Lucius Beebe. A great trip!
Thanks for that report Father! Looks like I'll have to put the Everett Railroad on the "must see" list!
You'll have to make that happen! Maybe you could bring the wife and I could show you both the good restaurants here. I have a four bedroom rectory with the master bedroom set aside for guests. Maybe we could discuss firearms over a drop of the creature after we're safe home. A younger priest is a gun enthusiast, he has a least one shotgun in every gauge. Firing a 10 gauge is on my bucket list. Then there's the Albanian American deacon from Philly who is an ex Navy man. He knows his guns and history. His son and brother are GG1 fans.
Don't shoot the 10 gauge!
Oh?? It's a pump action. I don't think I ever fired anything larger than a 20. Maybe a 16. The priest's go to gauges are the 16 and 28. I've never seen the latter.
I take it you've experienced the 10 gauge.
No, I've learned my lessons from others. A 3in 12 gauge is enough.
Nuff said
Newest update: I passed by the Everett yesterday on my way to the East Broad Top. I saw a diesel there, an EMD SW(not sure which model), but painted in fresh Lehigh Valley colors. I can't find it in their roster. Anybody know anything?
SW1 #119. http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44709
Backshop No, I've learned my lessons from others. A 3in 12 gauge is enough.
I forgot all about this thread!
OK, modern 12 gauge shells, and especially the 12 gauge 3-inch magnum basically put the 10 gauge guns "on the shelf" years ago since the 12 gauge guns had so much versatility, there was little they couldn't do as well as a 10.
THEN in the late 70's, early 80's, the outlawing of lead shot for waterfowling put the 10 gauge guns back in the picture. Since steel shot didn't have the performance of lead shot the 10 gauge with it's greater shot capacity was the answer.
Non-lead shot has improved considerably in the past 40 years so the 12 gauge waterfowlers are back in the picture again.
By the way, I have fired a 10 gauge. It's not that bad if you know it's coming, and you really don't need it for upland game at all.
rcdrye SW1 #119. http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44709
Personally, I'm waiting with baited breath for SMS Rail in New Jersey to get their ex-New Hope & Ivyland 0-6-0 running again. It's passed its boiler test with flying colors, all that's left as I understand it is running gear work.
They've been doing the work the past several years "As time permits."
And when it's ready, it'll go to work with their Baldwin diesel fleet, which is also pretty amazing!
I'm 100% sure the EMD Switcher in bright Lehigh Valley colors is not an SW1. It looks like either an SW900 or SW1200, though I could be wrong.
Concerning the East Broad Top, it looks like more track work has been done since my last trip. This time, the diesel was able to back the train onto a side track to lead the train back. Last time, it simply pushed us back when it came to the end of the working track.
Plans are to have steam next summer. More ambitious plans call for restoring operations all the way to Mt. Union, where it has not operated since the 50's. The track is still there, though heavily obscured by brush and trees in places.
The battery box on the nose of LV 119 confirms that it is an SW1. No other 567-powered switchers had that feature.
Did you say the number was 119?
The Valley had ES6s up to 118 in 1975; everything from 120 up was definitely higher-horsepower (900hp or some of the many and fascinating SW8 pups). Originally LV 119 was an ES6 (SW1) and you can find pictures of it in some of the 'usual places' but I think it was retired (at least from LV) years before Conrail.
126 shows as an SW900m, very recently acquired:
http://www.altoonaworks.info/rosters/ev.pdf
LV 119 is in a different part of Pennsylvania, which means that the unit at the Everett RR is likely from another RR. For what it's worth LV had 6 SW1s, 5 SW7s, 27 SW8s (18 with dynamic brakes), and 13 SW9s. They also had 6 SWs, 11 NW1s and 7 NW2s. Except for the prewar units, most of them made it to Conrail. Most of the SWs and NW1s were "upgraded" to SW8m or sw900m in 1956.
I don't remember the number, but it likely isn't 119. The unit was too big to be an SW1. The front did suggest one of the models I mentioned. It probably was 126, the SW9
Flintlock76Pennsylvania seems to be railfan heaven, all sorts of places to go. Personally, I want to go to Strasburg to die!
Then please put off going there.
Still in training.
Lithonia Operator Flintlock76 Pennsylvania seems to be railfan heaven, all sorts of places to go. Personally, I want to go to Strasburg to die! Then please put off going there.
Flintlock76 Pennsylvania seems to be railfan heaven, all sorts of places to go. Personally, I want to go to Strasburg to die!
Don't worry, it's not happening anytime soon!
My demise that is, not a trip to Strasburg.
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