The East Broad Top is unique. That cannot be denied by anyone who has visited.

No matter who owns the railroad or how much money it gets or does not get from various funding sources, it remains the EBT. It is still just as historically precious, it is still just as endangered and it is still just as in need of our help!

Doom and gloom have hovered over the railroad for years and each time a ray of sunshine has appeared it has then vanished. Now real progress is being made. It is not a promise or a proposal or an application. It is REAL. It is made of wood and brick and concrete and steel. There is an emerging sense of optimism around the railroad and the trolley museum that has not been there for many years. There is a feeling that things really are getting better.

As a regular at the FEBT Rockhill Work Sessions I find the work to be immensely gratifying. I frequently have several visitors a day thank me and the rest of the crew for our work. It's a 680 mile round trip for me to the EBT, but I feel the railroad is worth it. Some of our volunteers have driven 10 hours to get there. One of our regulars is in a wheel chair, but works as hard as anyone. One drove a car with a failing transmission 200 miles to get to a session. There is no reason someone who cares about the future of the EBT cannot make it out at least once a year and help out.

We are working our keisters off to help ensure a bright future for this unique historical treasure. Assurance of the railroads survival will not happen by itself. It takes people swinging hammers and brushing on paint. Will you just talk about it or will you help us? If you only donate a day of your time a year, you have become part of the solution. No matter your abilities or skill level, you can help out.

Our next session will be August 9-10 and we will be working during the EBT's Community Day. We will have a grand opportunity to show the public our work. Who will come and help us make a difference?

FEBT members working hard to save the EBT!

ebtrr@spikesys.com

In response to Mr. Coleman, AMEN! Everything he has said is true and could not have been said any better.

As an employee of the East Broad Top and a volunteer at the Rockhill Trolley Museum, I, along with my fellow employees see the difference that the Friends of the East Broad Top are making. As it was pointed out earlier, this is not about a longer train ride, but rather preserving the infrastructure that made the EBT great.

Just by leveling some of the buildings and putting glass in windows that have not had paint or glass in them for the past 50 years have made an impact to ALL who come in contact with the site. This friends, is just the start, we have seen this group laying ties, fixing coaches, and roofs of various buildings. They have relaid floor in various parts of the shop complex, and they are having the brick boiler shop redone, where water has done significant damage to brick work.

Anyone who has an interest in the East Broad Top, no matter what the distance, can be involved with this very active group. Send a check, or better yet, contact them and come out and lend a hand. There is no time like the present to help preserve the East Broad Top. As I have said to many of the Friends, "If they(the Friends)continue at the present rate, in 5 years the Rockhill Shop complex will again look like it did in its halcyon days."

This group along with the long time supporters of the EBT at the Rockhill Trolley Museum need all the help they can get. Why not come on out and lend a hand this August 9 & 10 and be part of the East Broad Top's 43rd anniversary celebration. If nothing else, ride the train, we will operate 11:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm and 6:00pm. Reservations requested for the 6:00pm train.

And lastly, do not be fooled, without the genuine and sincere guidance of Mr. Kovalchick and his wife Judy, the East Broad Top would not exist. Stanley Hall has been with the company for 43 years now and is the General Manager. He along with his faithful, dedicated employees have held this railroad together. Say what you want from the outside, but until you step inside this capsule, very few have a clue as to what it takes for the East Broad Top to continue day to day.
Thank you,
David

trolley@innernet.net