EBT Gets State Grant for Track Repair

Pennsylvania tourist railroad East Broad Top has been awarded a $1.1 million state grant for track rehabilitation.

Trains magazine reported on its website that the funding will be used to rebuild 7.8 miles of track between Rockhill Furnace and Three Springs and Saltillo.

In time EBT is eyeing reopening a section of the railroad that has not been used since the original 33-mile EBT ended operations there in April 1956.

Other work that the grant will support includes improvements at the Colgate Grove picnic area and in Rockhill yard.

In a related development, the support group Friends of the East Broad said it has raised $86,675 thus far this year.

The group’s goal is to raise $100,000. Donations have been made by 322 donors.

Money raised by the group will be used to pay for stabilization and restoration of the Rockhill machine shops complex

Next year the Friends group will seek to raise funds to pay for repairs of the Rockhill coal tipple and to improve programming at the Robertsdale station.

Additional information is available at https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/east-broad-top-gets-1-1-million-from-state-for-restoring-track-other-projects/

In other EBT news, Railfan and Railroad magazine reported on its website that the tourist railroad handled more than 10,000 passengers in its first year of renewed operations.

The EBT resumed carrying passengers this year after being out of service since 2011.

Railroad general manager Brad Esposito said EBT operated 42 excursions and plans to increase that number in 2022.

Officials are optimistic that some 2022 trips will be pulled by restored steam locomotives.

Although a full schedule of 2022 excursions won’t begin until next May, EBT plans to offer a few trips during the winter and early spring.

Esposito said about 20 percent of EBT passengers have participated in shop tours.

As for when steam will return, Esposito could give no date but said restoration work is going well on Baldwin-built 2-8-2 No. 16.

BT schedules and ticket information is available at eastbroadtop.com. To read more about recent developments involving EBT, visit https://railfan.com/following-successful-season-east-broad-top-looks-to-a-steam-filled-2022/

Tags: East Broad Top Railroad, East Broad Top steam locomotives, Friends of the East Broad Top, Pennsylvania tourist railroads