© 2001 Steve Barry steve@daylightimages.com
This section is divided into three pages to provide quick loading
This section was set up on November 21, 2001.
The East Broad Top hauled coal from the coal fields near Robertsdale, Pennsylvania, to Mount Union on the Pennsylvania Railroad main line. Unlike the mighty PRR, however, the EBT was built as a narrow gauge line (3 feet between the rails). In 1956 the EBT ceased hauling coal. Indeed, the entire railroad was abandoned. Purchased by the Kovalchick family, the EBT was reborn as a tourist railroad operating over four miles of original trackage north from Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania.
On October 16, 2001, a group of railfans led by Jim Gunning chartered 2-8-2 No.17, along with a boxcar, eight hopper cars and a combine to recreate an EBT train straight out of the 1950s. The photographs speak for themselves.
In tourist service, EBT No.17 has been "dressed up" with white trim on the running board edges, white tires, yellow handrails and silver trim on the siderods. For the charter, Jim and his crew spent over two hours backdating No.17 to its 1950s appearance. Gaffer tape was put over the handrails and running board edges, while water-based paints were applied to the siderods and wheels. The transformation, as seen just after sunrise on the 16th, was remarkable.
TT4101
The first photo runby of the day was held along Route 522 just north of the Orbisonia station (even though the railroad's station and shops are located in Rockhill Furnace, the station bears the name of the town of Orbisonia, which is located just across the Aughwick Creek from Rockhill). No.17 put on quite a show on its first run past the photographers.
TT4102
A little farther north, another runby was held at Shield's Field. The EBT ran a boxcar at the head of its coal trains in regular service for less-than-carload (LCL) freight.
TT4103
Several runbys were held at the big fill just south of Runk Road near the town of Shirleysburg. Held during the peak foliage season, the small train made quite a sight as it ran through the Aughwick Valley.
TT4104
Click here for EBT Coal Train page 2
Click here for more railroad photo essays
Visit the
for more railroad photos