East Broad Top notebook: Work continues to restore steam locomotive, improve passenger-car fleet

Small diesel and flatcar on track under repair

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Progress on the rebirth of the East Broad Top Railroad continues on multiple fronts as part of ongoing efforts since the narrow gauge railroad was acquired by the non-profit EBT Foundation in February 2020. Some updates: — Work continues on restoring 2-8-2 steam locomotive No. 16 (Baldwin, 1916) to service, possibly […]

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East Broad Top group acquires 1934 standard-gauge PRR boxcar

Boxcar being lowered by cranes

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – The East Broad Top Railroad reached one of its preservation goals Thursday, Aug. 19, with the arrival of a period standard-gauge, 40-foot steel boxcar to illustrate how the historic common-carrier narrow gauge line once hauled larger cars on interchange trucks. Loaded on a flatbed trailer on Wednesday at the Kiski Junction […]

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Rio Grande Southern No. 20 set for Trains Magazine photo excursion

Narrow guage steam engine

ANTONITO, Colo. — Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 No. 20, visiting the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad from Colorado Railroad Museum, will pull freight cars and historic passenger cars on a Trains Magazine photographer’s jaunt between Antonito and Big Horn on Sept. 5. This will be the first solo trip for the 1899 steam locomotive, which […]

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East Broad Top hires archivist

Woman and young man holding book

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – The East Broad Top Railroad has hired an archivist to begin organizing and cataloging hundreds of cubic feet of the historic narrow gauge line’s company records. Julie K. Rockwell of nearby Huntingdon, Pa., is leading efforts to sift through a vast collection of material documenting the operations of the 33-mile central […]

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Durango & Silverton sues county in dispute over increased use of Rockwood Station site

Steam-powered train crosses bridge

DURANGO, Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is suing La Plata County, Colo., over an effort to stop the railroad’s increased use of its Rockwood Station location. The Durango Herald reports that, in response to a warning from the county that the railroad faced fines or other penalties unless it addressed land-use […]

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East Broad Top notebook: Damaged bridge replaced as part of rebuilding of main line

Diesel lcomotive with ballast cars on small bridge

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. – Rebuilding the main line of the East Broad Top Railroad continues at a rapid pace, with a damaged bridge replacement and significant ballast work completed this week. The historic narrow gauge line in central Pennsylvania, a National Historic Landmark, was dormant from 2011 to 2020, when it was bought by the […]

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How to visit the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Visiting the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Chama, New Mexico, might be some of the most sacred ground for 1920s railroad and steam locomotive enthusiasts. That’s the western end of the mighty Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, and it’s the site of an authentic shop, yard, and depot. It’s the start of the dramatic eastbound climb across […]

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Trains to sponsor two-day photo event featuring Durango & Silverton No. 493

Steam locomotive in yard

DURANGO, Colo. — On Sept. 2 and 3, Trains Magazine will sponsor Extra 493, a two-day event on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad that will be the first photo freight charter for the K37 steam locomotive brought back to life in 2020. Visiting narrow gauge 4-6-0 Southern Pacific No.  18 also will make […]

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East Broad Top to resume operations June 11

Red-and-green center-cab diesel purring cars of passengers

ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — Regularly scheduled passenger service at the East Broad Top Railroad is set to resume June 11, the first time the railroad has operated regularly since 2011, according to the nonprofit EBT Foundation Inc., owner of the historic narrow gauge line in central Pennsylvania. One-hour, diesel-powered excursions will take place on alternate […]

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