My first visit to The East Broad Top Railroad was in 1999 on our way back from the Altoona RailFest. My son and I got in late Sunday afternoon and we had only enough time to ride the last train out and back.

In 2000, we returned for the “Fall Spectacular”, rode the caboose, rode the trolleys, took a tour of the new trolley barn and the historic EBT Shops. We had a great time. Truly, “a step back in history”.

Since then I wondered from time to time what was/would happen to the EBT. I read an article in the NRHS Bulletin. Surfing the Web I would see an occasional piece on the ups and downs of the road. Finally, last summer I happened upon the “Friends of the East Broad Top” (FEBT) website. Beside being an excellent/informative site, it gave me the impression that there was a dedicated, core group of interested, willing, “can do” people, out to preserve this historic railroad.

I continued to visit the site from time to time and watched while these volunteers started to “move a mountain”. I remembered the condition of the buildings and tracks on the property. Before my eyes, the digital photos on the website showed me the places I remembered turning into spit and polish. The restored “section building”, the new glazing and paint on the buildings, the doors being squared up and re-hung, the rot torn away and new materials put in place. As an amateur railroad historian, neophyte restoration worker and Museum Trustee, I am impressed with the dedication, resolve and workmanship of these volunteers. If I didn’t have my own Railroad Museum to work on and if I lived closer to the EBT – these are people I would like to work with!

With that said, I did the next best thing. I joined the FEBT and sent along a donation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to support the EBT itself, ride the trains and buy stuff at the gift shop – they must meet their operating expenses too – but as I see it, the work of the volunteers, the man and woman power, the unpaid hours spent on this massive restoration project, that’s what will save The East Broad Top Railroad. Without a solid infrastructure behind it, the railroad cannot run. The FEBT along with the employees of the EBT are repairing that infrastructure.

Support the EBT, ride the rails, keep the men and women of the EBT on the payroll, but join the Friends of the East Broad Top railroad, send them a donation – every little bit will help. If you can not volunteer your time – send in your membership dues and donations to support the men and women who can. In the Big Picture, I see them being the ones to really save the EBT – let’s support them as much as we can.

de Don, n2qhvRMLI


n2qhv@arrl.net