Mail Trains and Mixeds at Rockhill station

johnacraft · **Joined:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:53 pm **Posts:** 660

The large "Orbisonia Station" sign on the end wall has been digitally removed, but other than that this was the scene last Friday evening, October 21st. No. 14 waits with the Shade Gap mixed, ready to depart when the freight has cleared and mail train no. 4 arrives from Mount Union:

(photo by Jim Gunning)Stanley Hall and David Brightbill of the EBT allowed Jim Gunning to backdate not only the locomotives, but the station - most post-1956 signs were removed and the original pre-1956 signs reinstalled. The Model A is owned by George and Mark Vienert of Orbisonia. The milk cans belong to David Brightbill. The mail bags on the cart are actual USPS mail bags from the Orbisonia Post Office. Earlier in the day, we persuaded Postmistress Beth Lerie to come out from behind the counter and load the mail for us:

Stanley and David also brought out the 1953 Chevrolet "shop truck" used in package service and for ferrying tools from Orbisonia when the standard-gauge 0-6-0s required attention:

A hearty thanks to the good people of the East Broad Top, and to Jim and Dave Marquis for all their hard work.

Keep an eye on this photo album in the coming days. Jeff Mast got some night-time action shots that are stupendous.http://steamspecials.com/JAC

rev66vette · **Joined:** Mon Aug 30, 2004 3:45 pm **Posts:** 362

Those photos ( especially the night shot) are awesome. Thanks for sharing them. One of these days I have to drag myself down there in the fall.

Walter · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:02 am

Fantastic pictures, John. I especially like the shop truck, as that really adds to the authenticity of the station scene.Thanks for posting them.

tomgears · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2005 3:04 pm

The photos are fantastic! Thanks for sharing. The EBT is a true treasure.

Dave Albright · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:53 pm

Wonderful stuff as always, John. It's too bad the weather didn't cooperate (again) but it looks like some good shots were still had. Another good thing about that pumphouse - you can stay dry in there!

johnacraft · **Joined:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:53 pm **Posts:** 660

Dave Albright wrote:

Wonderful stuff as always, John. It's too bad the weather didn't cooperate (again) but it looks like some good shots were still had. Another good thing about that pumphouse - you can stay dry in there!

Thanks. It didn't rain all that much during the day, just before we started and as we were breaking down from the night photo session. A bit of sun would have been nice, however.And I did see the pumphouse - I had assumed your shot was arriving, not departing, that's why I couldn't place the building.JAC