Steam & Excursion > East Broad Top

At the EBT. this past Saturday, this was a sad state of affairs! The rails are rusty, weeds are slowly taking over, very sad to see this Pennsylvania treasure this way.
Ed K.

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Ed K.

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Ed K..

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.Ed K.

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Ed K...

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Ed K. cp Laurel Run

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Nice photos of a sad situation.

Martin

I'm so happy that I at least got to photograph this operation a few times, although, no where near enough.
Indeed, thank you for sharing the photos, even of such a horribly sad situation. Below is a link to my photo
album in October 2011, of their Fall Festival.

JWR

https://www.flickr.com/photos/twenty17teen/sets/72157640363279266/

Age of Narrow Gauge Steam - PA office. Jerry?

Wonder what the current "sale price" is and if
anyone would entertain the option. American
Heritage Railways, owners of the D&SNG, maybe?
Are they the current owners? Can't recall who
is running the show at the C&TS - same operator?

I guess we'll stay mum on the state or worse,
the government taking the reigns.

Would be nice to hear some good news - any news.
This is the kind of story one would hope to find
off the 'net with a magazine exclusive.

/Mitch

Well...like 759, 1522, 2124, 819, 1218, 1361 etc., etc., etc., it's over (unless someone wants to come up with millions to make it run again).

Keystone1 Wrote:
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> Well...like 759, 1522, 2124, 819, 1218, 1361 etc.,
> etc., etc., it's over (unless someone wants to
> come up with millions to make it run again).

I wouldn't say that, just yet.

/Mitch

Could someone give the background of what is happening with this? With out starting a flame war please.

BTW it is very sad to see this happening.

Well Mitch...when you come to my house for a movie show, you can request doubleheaded Reading T-1's, or, EBT triple headers. Your choice. Ha!

But... then again, there are the likes of the C&TSR, the D&SNG, and
many others.

/Mitch

Not much attention to this:

East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association- Acquisition and Operation Exemption- Kovalchick Salvage Corporation
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/984fbcf60b866c1f85257cec0067bc3b?OpenDocument

Another document seeks authority to operate 4.4 miles....
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/c09fa3d82cde002685257ce8006ee5c8?OpenDocument
more
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/643ade0b5ad23d3885257cde004aebd4?OpenDocument
This may be the original filing:
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/57abb2239c714c0185257cdd006a637a?OpenDocument

Being from the left coast I have no idea what this means to the longivity of the EBT...but seems good to get it out of the hands of the salvage company?
Roger B



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/14 20:13 by up833.

My understanding is that Kovalchick Salvage Corporation has owned it for some years now but the group that was operating it had a feud with the owners.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/14 20:17 by wabash2800.

2 years ago nobody would have believed a bigboy would be restored. Never say never.

Someone mentioned Steamtown as a possible takeover. There is also Strasburg and right across the street from Strasburg is the PA Railroad museum owned by the State of PA. I find it difficult that EBT has been allowed to deteriorate to this condition. Shame.

Jim

Ahem, back to the subject at hand.

The other PA projects mentioned are close to urban areas and found resources (political) to save, or revive them. The EBT is in a remote area and is largely invisible to any such saviors. As such, it is a gold mine of history and somehow, some way should be preserved. Being owned by a salvage company presents unique issues for anyone trying to step in. Since PA already has many other railroad heritage sites, it would seem difficult to try and add one more, but on the other hand, perhaps because of the other sites, the EBT may have a better chance. I don't know.

I was mesmerized as a child visiting the grounds and would hope to see it preserved for future generations.

So lets sum this up to stop the rumor mill.

1. EBT has been owned by the Kovalchick Family Since the 1950's when the father purchased it for around 850K for scrap value.

2. Said family has run the EBT since that time or about 3 years ago when the the same person who runs the Railroad Museum in Altoona stepped into the picture. The promise was made and stated they could run the EBT under a non-profit banner and in three years would find the grant money to purchase the railroad itself. I remember seeing this printed in the Altoona newspaper and the new owners were going to get grants and the money around to the tune of 11 to 12 million for the purchase price of the railroad part only minus the millions of acres the EBT owns.

Three years came and no money could be found so EBT shuts down. Issue has always been the ridership was never at the level of the Durango or Cumbres to support itself. I know the ridership was around 17,000 to 19,000 and maybe as high as 22,000 but never enough to be self supporting.

It was not until the new owners came in the EBT started taking credit cards as for all of the years the Kovalchick Family ran the EBT was cash only.

3. Several times the railroad has been put up for sale. Asking price has always been around 50 to 60 million and you'll get everything. This means the land, mineral rights and the railroad lock stock and barrel. Family until recently has never been wiling to split the land and the railroad.

4. Railroad had a full study done on it in the mid 90's by NPS as part of taking it over to run the railroad. During the study it was found to be too steep of a climb to purchase the railroad at 50 million and then have to put another 50 million in to get the whole railroad running again. Other options were looked at as part of the study but lack of maiteiance on the bridges and track work needed to bring it up to NPS standard really hurt the EBT in the study. I would have to look it up in my file to get the exact dates of the study.

So here is where the commentary starts.

The EBT could be made into the Durago of the east but there has to be more then just the railroad for the public to come out too. Right now the major strikes I see besides money is the following.

1. Lack of hotels close to the EBT. Where do I stay if want to stay for a fall weekend other then drive 30 miles down the turn-pike to stay.
2. No Major plans as of right now or I'm aware of to get the EBT back into shape such as 10 year published plan.
3. Marketing, Marketing, Did I say marketing. No on really knows about this on the the public side.
4. Nothing for the public to do after they drive to the railroad. At least Durango has the shops for folks to mill around while they are waiting.

Remember, if the wife is not happy then your most likely not going to be happy either as the husband when she is bored out of her mind while she is taking the train ride with you. So there has to be more for the wife and kids to do in the area.

5. Arrival facilities. Parking and defiantly restrooms would have to become on top of the list to make sure the general public has a good experience. EBT while nice to see the old buildings does not have the defined parking for the general public to understand.

There is others but overall the EBT is a real treasure which should be saved but hope someone with deep pockets and a plan to make it a money maker. When the day is done it is the bucks that keeps the doors open.

Thanks for reading.
SMH



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/14 08:40 by nkpsteam779.