Friends of the East Broad Top 2012 Fall Reunion to Feature Operating EBT Train

What may be the only train to operate over the slim-gauged tracks of the East Broad Top Railroad in 2012 will be the feature event of the FEBT 2012 Fall Reunion. The EBT railroad will be operating center-cab diesel M-7 with several cars on Saturday October 6th exclusively for FEBT members who register for the Fall Reunion. The train will operate from Orbisonia to Colgate Grove and return at sunset.

The Fall Reunion will feature many other excellent activities on October 5th, 6th, and 7th. Registrants will also have the opportunity to ride the FEBT owned speeder and handcar on a portion of the Shade Gap Branch. The “Tour d’Easty” bike ride is a new and invigorating way to follow the route of the EBT from Rockhill Furnace to Mt Union on Saturday.

A brief ceremony will be held at the EBT Blacksmith Shop commemorating the restoration of this historic and irreplaceable structure. Although the restoration of the shop is not yet completed, the bulk of the work
is finished. Two shop tours will include tours of the EBT Roundhouse, Blacksmith Shop and main shops complex including the Machine Shop with operating demonstrations of several pieces of restored machinery inside the shops.

Several clinics will cover such topics as modeling Mt. Union and mines #7 and 8. Walking tours of Mt. Union and Robertsdale will be led by knowledgeable historians. Renowned artist Peter Lerro will be present for the unveiling of the first in a series of commissioned prints kicking off a new effort in FEBT Restoration Fundraising. A Saturday evening banquet will be followed by the Annual Restoration Fundraising Auction – donations are greatly appreciated.

Sunday, October 7th will begin with a chartered trolley ride at the Rockhill Trolley Museum which will feature a historian guided discussion of the Shade Gap Branch and the Rockhill Iron Furnace. Later on Sunday the focus will shift to the FEBT owned buildings in Robertsdale. The nearly completed Old Post Office will be open along with the station.

The $40 registration fee for members is an all-inclusive ticket to all of the above events including the banquet meal and the train at sunset to Colgate Grove. Registration is on-site only and will be open Friday
October 5th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Rockhill Trolley Museum Pavilion. Registration will also be open on Saturday October 6th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in the Orbisonia-Rockhill Elementary School. Both sites will be marked with FEBT signs. Please visit www.febt.org for a more detailed schedule and other information. Contact Andy Van Scyoc at vanscyoc@gmail.com with specific questions.

While not included in the FEBT registration, be sure to visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum who will be operating throughout the weekend various streetcars built between 1904 and 1947. www.rockhilltrolley.org.

Please make special note, although non-member Reunion registrations are available, the Saturday train is restricted to FEBT member Reunion registrants ONLY. The train is being operated by the EBT in appreciation of the efforts of the members of the FEBT. FEBT memberships will be available at the Reunion Registration desk. Regular membership is $35 per year and gives a discount to $40 on the Reunion registration.