For what it's worth, the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News recently editorialized on the fate and future of the East Broad Top, citing its historic nature and calling on the state to look after the future of the railroad.

The paper was reacting to an Associated Press story that moved a week or so before the final weekend of the season. That story was pessimistic, far more so than many observers and members of the Friends of the East Broad Top felt was warranted. The AP reporter asked the railroad's owner to comment on plans for reopening and operation next year, and because he declined to do so, the reporter inferred that EBT was de facto shutting down. As anyone who has followed the ups and downs of the railroad for any length of time knows, while the property is in fragile condition, that's hardly sufficient or safe grounds for making such speculation. Those who attended the recent Fall Event found a lot of plans in place for continuing restoration work, on the part of both the railroad and the Friends.

In any event, the editorial is posted at the link shown below (thanks, Erik).

It contains one factual error, identifying EBT owner Joe Kovalchick's hometown as Altoona, Pa. It is, in fact, Indiana, Pa.

The significance of this editorial is twofold -- (1) the P-N is the state capital newspaper and as such is read by many elected and appointed officials in state government, so its voice is a prominent one, and (2) the paper clearly acknowledges the EBT as a historic resource of statewide importance, as the railroad is located about 90 miles away in Huntingdon County, well beyond the P-N's local circulation area.

Dan Cupper
Harrisburg, Pa.


cupper@att.net

Here's the link.

http://www.steamsafari.com/ebt/EBTeditorial.jpg


http://www.steamsafari.com/ebt/EBTeditorial.jpg
cupper@att.net

I think Dan may be selling his former employer (many years ago, mind you) a bit short. The Harrisburg Patriot has in recent years become more of an established regional "big-city" newspaper alternative throughout the region. Though I haven't checked in the past year, the Patriot used to be routinely available in convenience stores as far away as Huntingdon, Altoona, Williamsport, and Lancaster. Thus, this editorial may get wider coverage than Cupper may have us believe. For the sake of the railroad, let's hope so.

lner4472@bcpl.net

Sandy:

The Patriot has always been available in outlying (to Harrisburg) areas, going back to the days when baggage cars on PRR and RDG passenger trains took the morning daily papers to places such as those you mentioned (including Mount Union!) for sale throughout the day. In addition, it has always had a strong regional Sunday presence, especially in the days before every small-city paper cranked up its own Sunday edition. But until the day comes when I can buy a copy in 30th Street Station, I'd still hold that its circulation hasn't reached a benchmark of true regional penetration.

Dan Cupper
Harrisburg, Pa.

http://www.steamsafari.com/ebt/EBTeditorial.jpg
cupper@att.net

A debatable statement in the article is that the only other railroad of comparable size and quality is the Durango & Silverton. I think that I am just one among many who feel that if only one other railroad were to be compared, it should be Cumbres & Toltec. A minor point, but one I feel pretty strongly about.

But I agree that it is great to see this in the paper.

Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation
webmaster@orhf.org

for the election!

Electric City Trolley Museum Association

> A debatable statement in the article is that
> the only other railroad of comparable size
> and quality is the Durango & Silverton.
> I think that I am just one among many who
> feel that if only one other railroad were to
> be compared, it should be Cumbres &
> Toltec. A minor point, but one I feel pretty
> strongly about.

> But I agree that it is great to see this in
> the paper.
I second those remarks -- the C&TS has resisted the "touristy" trapping of the D&S. I hope EBT can be similarly salvaged.

frankr@nptc.com

While I have not been to Durango, I have been to both the EBT and the C&TS and I can assure you that these 2 groups are very similiar in that they both seem to have evaded the touristy draws. They both are truly an experience in stepping back in time to experience what it was REALLY like 50 years ago.

Just by looking at the Durango operation in film, pictures, etc, I get the feeling that the aura there is a bit different.

I have done my part this year in helping both of these groups financially, have you?