The East Broad Top

A deal has been made ! !

After eight-year hiatus, the historic East Broad Top Railroad plans to get back on track with new owner
Daniel Urie
02 14 2020
The Patriot News

How far beyond Saltilo, do tracks exist? Ever any chance to operate as far as Rocky Ridge? or beyond Aughwick, Pa to Mt. Union??

CarterB
How far beyond Saltilo, do tracks exist?

Beyond Robertsdale.

Ever any chance to operate as far as Rocky Ridge? or beyond Aughwick, Pa to Mt. Union??

The easement is pretty much intact over the entire length of the railroad. You can trace the right of way from Mount Union to Wood at Google Maps

https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/loca ... broad-top/

A bit dated, and a little longer than my usual "brief, fair-use quote" as I wanted to make sure all parties recognized:

ROCKHILL FURNACE — Fueled by prominent rail-industry leaders and rail fans, a new nonprofit organization aspires to propel the East Broad Top Railroad into a multi-purpose entertainment venue that preserves the National Historic Landmark, stimulates regional tourism and preserves its historical industrial significance.

More than 250 local residents, rail buffs, tourism leaders and members of the new EBT Foundation Inc. celebrated Friday as it was announced that the East Broad Top Railroad will reopen for several events in 2020 and hopes to resume regular operations in 2021.

On hand were founding EBT board members:

— Henry Posner III, chairman of the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Railroad Development Corp. of Pittsburgh, who will serve as chairman.

— Charles Wickliffe “Wick” Moorman IV, former chairman and CEO of Norfolk Southern and former CEO of Amtrak, who will be president.

— Bennett Levin, owner of the Juniata Terminal Co.

— Brad Esposito, former assistant general manager of the Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming Inc. company, and a longtime member of the Friends of the East Broad Top, who will be the railroad’s general manager.

— David Brightbill, office manager of the East Broad Top Railroad and a longtime volunteer at the Rockhill Trolley Museum, who will serve as the foundation’s treasurer and will continue as the railroad’s office manager.

— Lawrence Biemiller, a former senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education and a member of the Friends of the East Broad Top board, who will be the foundation’s secretary.
...

Sorry John, I didn't see this until I had merged in some posts.

Sand Box John wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 12:39 pm A deal has been made ! !

After eight-year hiatus, the historic East Broad Top Railroad plans to get back on track with new owner
Daniel Urie
02 14 2020
The Patriot News

CarterB wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:12 pm How far beyond Saltilo, do tracks exist? Ever any chance to operate as far as Rocky Ridge? or beyond Aughwick, Pa to Mt. Union??

The rails are generally in place beyond Woodvale nearly to old Alvan. The New nonprofit owner only owns the track as far as the Woodvale highway crossing.

ebtrr wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:34 pm

CarterB wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:12 pm How far beyond Saltilo, do tracks exist? Ever any chance to operate as far as Rocky Ridge? or beyond Aughwick, Pa to Mt. Union??

The rails are generally in place beyond Woodvale nearly to old Alvan. The New nonprofit owner only owns the track as far as the Woodvale highway crossing.

Really, tracks in place to Woodvale??? Doesn't show on any satellite views. I thought rails in place didn't go much further than Saltilo. please clarify.

CarterB wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 8:50 pm

ebtrr wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:34 pm

CarterB wrote: ↑Sun Feb 16, 2020 2:12 pm How far beyond Saltilo, do tracks exist? Ever any chance to operate as far as Rocky Ridge? or beyond Aughwick, Pa to Mt. Union??

The rails are generally in place beyond Woodvale nearly to old Alvan. The New nonprofit owner only owns the track as far as the Woodvale highway crossing.

Really, tracks in place to Woodvale??? Doesn't show on any satellite views. I thought rails in place didn't go much further than Saltilo. please clarify.

Yes, from Franklin Street in Mount Union to just short of old Alvan (beyond Woodvale and Robertsdale) the tracks are generally intact. In Shirleysburg and south of Coles short sections of rails were moved (not removed) to enable passage. South of Cooks a section of rail was stolen. Thief was apprehended and convicted.

So, yes, the rail goes way beyond Saltillo. I have walked much of it. Passing sidings and bridges are also intact.

Here, have a look at the rail in Robertsdale.
https://goo.gl/maps/zNVfQTynQLVSrsxA7

Thanks!! It would be fantastic if future operation/s could go as least as far as Rocky Ridge, and reinstitute the wye there.

Extension Work Continues: Railfan

They have a nice map, too. Visit the link to view. Quick, fair-use quote:

Work to Extend East Broad Top Trackage Continues

The East Broad Top Foundation, the non-profit restoring the iconic Pennsylvania narrow gauge railroad, said work to extend the operating main line south of the terminal at Orbisonia is continuing in the new year.
...

According to the local paper, the Bedford Gazette, the track has been opened south to PA 475. Crews cleaned up further southward to the Pogue bridge to prepare for re-laying rail:
https://www.bedfordgazette.com/news/loc ... 7aae5.html

The Foundation has to work with PennDOT to install crossing protection at PA475. According to the Gazette report the steelwork on the bridge is in good shape but it needs some masonry work.

Rebuilding beyond Saltillo is a really long-term plan because it involves two tunnels. Both were considered too dangerous to enter and LIDAR drones were flown in to map out their condition. Therefore Robertsdale will be disconnected from the operating part of the EBT for the foreseeable future.

The Friends group issued a February 2024 newsletter where they want to clear out the overgrowth and make the area at least walkable "...which will enable guests to see the bridge, the runaway track, the end of the scale track, and the freight house track." Late last year they brought in rail bikes, which "needed some work". (As in re-gauging?) It's an idea that I like because at least the rails are actually used instead of being paved over.

Track laying has begun south of Rt 475. Right of way clearing has been done to just south of Pogue, about 2 & 1/2 miles. Rt 475 crossing is still not open and probably won't be worked on until school is out to avoid interfering with school bus routes.