Steam & Excursion > EBT expansion progress

Track is all spiked to south driveway and rubber inserts due to be done on North Driveway at the school today.  The pavers are due to build the north driveway tomorrow 7/31.  Its only a short distance to the edge of the bridge.

Edit......This above is all a big secret and no photos allowed until its officially oked by the news monitors, either FEBT or EBTF (the owner Foundation). But Newsletter today shows a work train on the new unballasted track in front of the school between the two school driveways. EBTF recently fired one monitor from their staff from his Facebook posts but he has returned to monitor "Fans of the EBT" Facebook. "Out" in his post against me has known EBT was East Broad Top in PA and the High School had been cutting the grass that grew over the tracks.  That grass will be replaced by hard rock ballast this week.The school was built about 1956 and school wanted the railroad land which was against the owner interest so they ran the gas car M-1 out onto that track and parked it to show the school they could go to hell as it was still a railroad.   



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/01/25 17:19 by PlyWoody.

Oh what state is this in? What railroad is this? Why isn't there photos and a complete map? 
Actually the thought of a coal train across the nice grassy area adjacent to the school would
have been great for a recess. Looking at the school, it might have been there in 1956, be
interesting to find out.

Out 

The East Broad Top (EBT) is centered out of Rockhill Furnance in Pennsylvania.  Yes, I wish folks would add more locations for us not living in their neighborhoods.

Those are valid points but you guys are wound way too tight!

Out 

Thanks for that report Plywoody.  It's amazing to see the progress being made.

Any reports on how the Saltillo section is coming along?

Awesome news!  Looking forward to spending a week building track in September - figure I'll be working down by Saltillo that week, but whatever needs to be done I'll do.  Love the FEBT!!

callum_out Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Those are valid points but you guys are wound way
> too tight!
>
> Out 
> sometimes, you and HotWater are
> a little too serious too!! 
> But, I enjoy the commentary, 
> and your knowledge too!!

The exterior of the Saltillo station appeared to be nearly finished, didn't look like any
track work was being done near the station.

Out 
PS - Yes, Hotwater and I are very serious, mostly about the quality of Makers Mark

It's nice the EBT is rebuilding their line southward, but is there ANY progress being made of returning one of their steam engines back to service? Not too many railfans are going to visit the EBT, especially from great distances, to see a diesel powering their trains.

2839Canadian Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not too many railfans are going to visit
> the EBT, especially from great distances, to see a
> diesel powering their trains.

It's a good thing then that they don't depend on railfans keeping their trains full and operating. As long as the locals keep coming back and filling their pumpkin patch trains, Christmas in Coal Country trains, Easter trains, etc., getting repeat customers has got to be their main focus, not attracting a foamer from 1,000 miles away for his one and only visit.

And to answer your question, posts on Facebook have shown 16 fired up and outside the roundhouse, so it shouldn't be too long until it is back in service, right when the railroad expected it to be.

- Chris

Wonder if they have ordered bridge ties yet for the Pogue bridge ? ---- Ken 

There are several bed and breakfast establishments in the Orbisonia area now. And more to the south, along 522 (?). 

In an area like Orbisonia, I suspect  these local efforts can make an impact on the local economy and neighbors.  Add a few thousand night stays each year by volunteers and visitors to EBT and trolley museum, and that's a decent chunk o' change.