POGUE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program has awarded the EBT Foundation $1.6 million to restore two steel bridges on a portion of the narrow gauge East Broad Top tourist railroad’s dormant main line.

A major boost for the EBT, a national historic landmark, the grant will aid the line in its push to expand operations toward the mountainous mining area that supplied the line with millions of tons of semi-bituminous coal from its opening in 1874 to its closure as a common carrier in 1956.

The major structure to be rehabilitated is Pogue trestle, a 275-foot-long 1904 steel Warren truss bridge over Aughwick Creek. As the largest bridge on EBT’s original 33-mile-long main line, it stands 3 miles south of EBT’s operating headquarters at Rockhill Furnace.

Appearing in many photos taken in the last years of EBT common-carrier operation in the early 1950s, the bridge has achieved iconic status, having been documented by such noted photographers as John Krause and Phil Hastings.

Work includes strengthening two piers to protect them from flood debris and ice; renewing the bearings that support the superstructure; and installing bridge timbers to replace the original untreated ties that have long since rotted away. EBT General Manager Brad Esposito and Director of Engineering James Roslund have said that inspectors have determined that, despite its age, the bridge is sound.

Esposito said the funds, “in combination with a previously awarded RACP grant, will also include some clearing and grading of the right-of-way between Pogue and Three Springs, as well as the work on the Pogue Bridge.”

In 2020, the newly formed EBT Foundation bought 27 miles of the line as well as the station and shop complex, six Baldwin 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotives, and rolling stock. Its intent is to restore and reopen the lion’s share of the line, which operated seasonal steam tourist trains on a short portion of the route from 1960 to 2011.

Work to reopen the southern main line is being carried out by EBT’s two full-time track crew members and a pool of Friends of the East Broad Top volunteers. The project, termed the “March to Saltillo,” after the name of the town that is the near-term goal of restoration, reached a milestone last month when trains began running over 1.3 mile of track that hadn’t seen a revenue movement since the spring of 1956, to a point named Jordan Summit. [See “EBT reopens more track . . .,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 8, 2024].

In the few weeks since then, track renewal has advanced another 3,000 feet to the McCoy Road grade crossing, within sight of the Pa. Route 994 grade crossing and just a mile from the Pogue bridge.

The Friends’ November newsletter notes that “in the past six months, the railroad’s full-time staff members, assisted by FEBT personnel, have laid 6,500 feet of track. An awesome accomplishment.”

Announcement of the grant was made jointly by state Sen. Judy Ward (R-Hollidaysburg) and state Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Spruce Creek). RACP grants, administered by the Office of the Budget, assist economic, civic, cultural and historic projects. The EBT grant is part of a group totaling $600 million, announced by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“Funding to restore the two bridges in the southern end of [Huntingdon] county,” said Ward, “will allow the continued expansion of the East Broad Top Railroad, creating additional tourism, economic, and community development.” Irvin added: “With [EBT] attracting thousands of visitors each year, an expanded rail route will further boost its economic impact.”