Second Deed of the Transaction

Interlocking Tower has a grand total of 31 posts so if he/she is not a new member then they sure don't post often.

The actual facts on the ground speak loudly that the " boys" running the show are doing a great job and treating people well.

Membership in the Friends of the EBT ( http://www.febt.org ) has grown dramatically and at their regularly scheduled work sessions they speak very favorably regarding how they're appreciated and shown respect by the management.

On my visits I have observed a very cohesive team who are clearly enjoying their work and being part of the team.

In sum, what I have witnessed first hand is the exact opposite of Interlockings posting.

I'll believe my own eyes. Thank you, Ross Rowland

They sure were sloppy distinguishing between 'Grantor' and 'Former Grantor', almost as if some of the people editing the document didn't understand the language conventions or were cutting and pasting from text of the former deed (from Conrail to Kovalchick).

I found it funny that pains appear to have been taken to keep the name of anyone from the "East Broad Top Railroad Preservation Association" as far off the document as possible. Note the 'certificate of residency' at the end, where the full name of the signatory is not provided or printed.

if you read on Deed 1, Page 4, Second to last Paragraph, Under and Subject to:

in my opinion (NOT A LAWYER), that statement is saying that the Foundation is considered the Successors to the East Broad Top, and Said have the right to Operate the Over the railroad Line in Mount Union and Salone could not stop them

if you read on Deed 2, Page 5, Middle of the Page, Also Reserving & Reserving

Also Reserving describes the Right for the Grantor, Now its Successors the Foundation, to Go into Mount Union to Extract any Boxcar or Hopper cars

Reserving describes that the Foundation travel to Mount Union by Rail

BUT, this issue comes to, Dumping money a stretch of track that is not owned and that the other party does not want to maintain, but only tear out to subdivide the land for Urban or Economic Development

Those that want to stop such things from going on need to get themselves elected onto Mount Union Borough Council in order to ZONE the Mount Union Yard as Historical Significant to Halt any further destruction of History

It behooves me to point out that a "customer experience" can vary wildly from the employee or "behind the scenes" experience. Perhaps the classic example is Disney World/Land: A healthy following of almost cult-like, enthusiastic repeat attendees, while various reports from both "behind the scenes" by employees and about management tell a vastly different story. (Not-very-related note: At a train show this past weekend, I saw a noted "Disney historian" selling various books and products related to Disney and railroading, along with t-shirts featuring a version of Walt's distinctive signature saying "WALT Not WOKE".....)

And I've known of any number of railroads, from Class One to short lines to excursion lines, where the average railfan's interpretation of the company is quite positive--say, for example. the Southern Railway, in decades past, because they ran a mainline steam program and held out from joining Amtrak with the Southern Crescent, and Graham Claytor was an NRHS member--whereas if I went to employees, ex-employees, or customers of the company I'd get an entirely different perspective, disgruntled or gruntled.

Certainly, with a "sea change" on the order of what has been happening to the EBT, there are going to be some unhappy people--from the people who don't like steam whistles, to the land owners who figured they'd never have to deal with anything about that track crossing their property, to the folks who think more traffic will ruin Huntingdon County, whatever. One situation I've seen with bar/restaurant changes of ownership is employees who quit because they finally have to do their jobs, stop serving their friends free beers/food, or the like. I was told of one place where the owner announced in a staff meeting that they were putting flow meters on the beer lines to reconcile beer pours with point-of-sale register sales.......... "Oh, wait, actually, we did that five weeks ago. Would anyone like to talk to us before we talk to them?" Two bartenders quietly got up and left--for good.)

I'm forced to reserve judgement on whatever the heck is supposedly going on with EBT 3. I don't have all the details, and I sure don't think anyone here does, either. I heard rumors long ago that the Kovalchicks sold 3 before all this hubbub started, and I believed it as much as I believed any other stories out of Orby/Rockhill on the three-foot side of things. The only time I believed anything for certain is when I actually witnessed action--carbodies from far away returning, track work on the Mt. Union Connecting RR, a bidder calling me and giving me his plans, etc. And new paint and movement on #3 qualifies as some kind of evidence--but of what we can't tell until someone else says something willingly.

I wasn't aware there was a threshold to cross in terms of the amount of posts an account makes for it to be deemed as credible. I tend to use this forum as I would a book, using it to find answers to questions I have. Often I find success and no need to contribute to posts that have not seen a comment in years. What I find hard to stay mute on is when bad people are made out to be saviours.

No, I am not a disgruntled employee, current or former. I'm a local, frequent visitor, and until recently a volunteer. Myself and several friends gave up our FEBT memberships when management began to bastardize the volunteers. You're either in the golden group and treated like royalty, or you're just a peon they don't want to pass a shovel towards. I decided to remove myself as far as possible from the politics of the place because I still want to thoroughly enjoy it since it is a really cool place and thing to enjoy. However, the age old saying "If you don't look for trouble, trouble will find you" has proven itself on multiple occassions. Quite loud racist comments towards a black volunteer, calling locals inbred mountain folk, the incident with the grease on the wye. The list can go on for miles. I was no longer associated with the FEBT when I witnessed those events.

Just because someone visits a place infrequently and looks upon it with rose colored lenses does not mean things are perfect behind the scenes. The tracks may be straighter, the train may be shiny, and steam may be hissing, but that does not mean all is right in the world. I'm sure if you went to any multitude of tourists hot spots like Strasburg Railroad, Disney Land, or name any major theme park, on a daily basis or as an employee, you'll find things most people would consider dispicable, shocking, or both.

Not saying bad people cannot be skilled, because there is some serious raw talent there. But being a welder or ex-Amtrak employee does not make you a good manager. Plus there are definitely excellent examples of human beings helping things along as well, and they deserve every accolade they can get for helping restore the place.

My bet is a fired ex-employee otherwise he or she would identify themselves.

Another real life example of no good deed goes unpunished and you can't ever please everyone.

The rebirth of this nationally significant industrial treasure will undoubtedly be THE railroad preservation story of at least this decade and the economic benefit it is having on Orbisonia and Rockhill is significant and very welcomed by the locals.

When they are able to offer steam powered excursions south through the 2 tunnels and up the stiff grade to Robertsdale and have the entire shop complex in Rockhill up and running they'll attract even larger attendence and deservedly so.

Onward & Upward. Ignore the naysayers. Ross Rowland

Ross... your attitude is a huge part of the problem in rail preservation. ANYONE who says anything bad about an organization is either lying or a "naysayer" etc. That is the definition of a "GOOD OLD BOYS CLUB" mentality.

Another naysayer hiding behind a phony name. Sad. Ross Rowland

It seems like he(Ross Rowland )is exemplar of the good ole boys club, casual racism, misogyny, and elitism. This is what gives rail preservation a bad name.

Not involved and no dog in this fight, but I'm wondering if the new management is culturally more formal and regimented than the old management and it's not sitting well...... and we all know the results of an inability to adapt to changing conditions in our environment. Comparing results over time, there's nearly no comparison at all.

I just received my quarterly newsletter from the Friends of the EBT and as usual it gives a comprehensive updating of the progress being made in the huge project of bringing this property fully back to life.

A few highlights............membership continues to climb and now totals over 1900 members, this years fundraising campaign has raised $ 248,000 and these funds are helping pay for the costs of new ties and ballast as the campaign begins to rebuild the south of Rockhill track.

I would invite any of my fellow steam lovers who can to join the Friends ( www.febt.org) and be a part of this exciting and VERY worthwhile journey.

Thanks, Ross Rowland

That's a real slap in the face to a group of volunteers that literally SAVED the EBT so it could be brought back to life.

I have been a regular on-site, hands-on, volunteer with the Friends of the East Broad Top (FEBT) for 20 years with personal history and activity with the EBT long before that. I am now President of FEBT and incredibly proud of what our volunteers have accomplished and the exceptional partnership and collaboration we have developed with the EBT Foundation at every level.

Times have certainly changed in those 20 (or really 48 total) years that I have been associated with the EBT. The last 4 have been the most profound and most indisputably positive. By no means have we reached perfection but we are pressing for continual improvement across both sides of this partnership.

As President I make the rounds to all the volunteers at as many work sessions as I can. I am happy to say that hear very little other than positive feedback or constructive ideas for improvement. I have had a number of volunteers who have volunteered at other heritage railroads tell me the experience at the EBT is far superior. Our integration of volunteers and EBTF employees is extensive and very rewarding. As I make the rounds talking with volunteers, I also make it clear that I have no tolerance for inappropriate sexist, racist, or otherwise disrespectful behavior and they all know how to contact me directly if any such problem occurs. My email is in each monthly newsletter and Timber Transfer magazine.

At every level the EBT Foundation has been a gracious partner and collaborator. Every employee on their staff has worked side-by-side with FEBT volunteers with positive results.

Ross, thank you for highlighting and speaking highly of FEBT. To show just 2 examples of where some of those funds raised are going; we just ordered 2000 ties to go South of the 475 crossing and I just released funds for new roofing over the boiler shop. To hear more and our 2024 campaign plan, join us at our annual Fall Reunion October 6-8, 2023.

Andy V

Andrew H. Van Scyoc
President, Friends of the East Broad Top
http://www.febt.org
http://www.eastbroadtop.com

Thanks Andy V for that report. It certainly squares with everything I have heard and seen with my own eyes.

In any endeavor there are always going to be that tiny minority that for whatever reason get their nose out of joint and become chronic naysayers. I've witnessed it in every project I have executed and it's just a law of nature.

May I again ask that any of my fellow steam lovers who can join the Friends of the EBT ( www.febt.org) and be a part of this exciting project.

Thanks, Ross Rowland