The EBT: Coming back strong

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There was a big announcement this morning and it sounds like the EBT is going to be coming back!

https://eastbroadtop.com/

I don't think it'll be a flash in the pan. Check out the people behind the revival:
https://eastbroadtop.com/board-of-directors/

[narrowminded]

I was there about six months ago and was very impressed with what was there, albeit not running.  This IS good news. 

[Blazeman]

I get the impression they won't be satisfied with status quo once they have maintenance currentl.

[Dave V]

So...considering what's been happening in Colorado with a half dozen new locomotive restorations at the CRM, the D&SNG, and the C&TS with miles of new DSP&P trackage and a steam locomotive at Como, the restoration of the WW&F in Maine, new diesels and passenger cars for the White Pass & Yukon, and now this absolutely amazing news...I think we can safely say we've entered a Second Golden Age of Narrow Gauge Railroading in the US!

I last rode the EBT way back in 1978.  I visited twice in the early 90s while at Penn State but not on operating days.  Yes, I took my then girlfriend (now wife) to Rockhill Furnace to tromp around the EBT yards..and somehow she didn't dump me!

I figured I might never get a chance to ride the EBT...the best-preserved narrow gauge railroad in all of North America...ever again.  I'm very glad to have ben wrong!

[nkalanaga]

"from the south end of the concrete-arch bridge over the Aughwick River below Mount Union"

Who owns the portion north of there, and Mt Union yard?

[GonzoCRFan]

There was a big announcement this morning and it sounds like the EBT is going to be coming back!

https://eastbroadtop.com/

I don't think it'll be a flash in the pan. Check out the people behind the revival:
https://eastbroadtop.com/board-of-directors/

Having Bennett, Wick, and Henry Posner on your BoD is basically the Dream-Team.

[Chris333]

How many miles do they have to run?

[nkalanaga]

Right now, none, as the track isn't fit to run on.  The press release says that they will own 27 miles of track, but whether they try to run on all of it is another matter.  I think the old tourist operation ran about 5 miles.

[Mark5]

Potentially enormous news!

I knew some folks that were involved with EBT some decades ago (well, many decades!) - will be great if they can pull it off.

Mark

[nkalanaga]

I think they will.  They have six locos, in reasonable condition, passenger cars, shop facilities, and the track is all there, ready to be repaired.  If they have the funding sources, everything else is in place.

[wm3798]

So now one has to wonder if the WMSR will get their poop in a group to have 1309 on the rails before the EBT roars back into life.

Given its long dormancy, and the amount of work that will be required to get back up and running... locomotives, cars, and an enormous amount of track work... I think they are being pretty aggressive with their time table, but as noted elsewhere, the group that's putting the package together has the bones to do what needs to be done.

Huzzah!  I'm looking forward to seeing it under steam again!

Lee

[Dave V]

I'm guessing these guys can get their hands on ties in bulk at cost.  Good chance they're bringing in professional crews too, not just weekend volunteers.  But yeah, just getting the previously-restored stretch from Orbisonia to Shirleysburg back in shape is going to be a project.  The rest of the railroad consists of nothing more that a pair of rails buried under Pennsylvania's famous overgrowth...any ties have long since returned to the earth from which they originally grew.  I last tromped that ground in the mid-90s and I remember finding the old wye at Robertsdale and there were trees growing between the rails.

[learmoia]

Looks like the biggest task will be to get a brush cutter in there to clear the main line...

I dont think typical railroad contractor (especially in the east coast) have the capability to work on a narrow gauge railroad..

~Ian

[nkalanaga]

If they use standard gauge ties, everything except the rail laying will be the same as any other railroad.  If it was me, and I had the money, I'd strip the track down to the subroadbed, and start form scratch, new ballast, ties, everything.  At that point, it can all be mechanized except the spiking.

The C&TSR has some track machinery, although I don't know what all it is.  They might also be able to borrow that.

[Chris333]

Think a backhoe will work on any gauge