Friends of the East Broad Top
Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. (FEBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and historical society dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad National Historic Landmark in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
Activities[edit]
FEBT and its members are currently engaged in several activities. The most visible is restoration work on the East Broad Top Railroad (EBT), focused around the Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania and Robertsdale, Pennsylvania stations. FEBT volunteers and FEBT-paid contractors work to stabilize and restore historic parts of the EBT.
FEBT operates a developing museum in Robertsdale in the original EBT railroad station. The museum displays artifacts and memorabilia from the 150 years of EBT history. The museum is housed in the FEBT-owned original EBT Robertsdale station. FEBT also owns the adjacent Rockhill Iron and Coal Company Post Office, which is being restored to become larger permanent museum, at which time the station will be restored to its period interior.
Ownership[edit]
FEBT owns the EBT Robertsdale station and the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company Post Office, also in Robertsdale. FEBT owns two former EBT passenger cars, combine car #18 and baggage car #29 and plans to restore them to service. They also own the only existing original EBT handcar and an original EBT Fairmont speeder. The group has a long term lease on original EBT combine car #16 and are working to build reproduction trucks for the car.
Public awareness[edit]
FEBT promotes public awareness of the EBT as a unique historic resource through a variety of outreach programs. They operate booths and a variety of railroad and model railroad shows and meets throughout the eastern US.
The Timber Transfer[edit]
FEBT publishes a quarterly magazine called The Timber Transfer. Articles focus on the history of the EBT; its current condition, operations, and future; description and documentation of buildings, rolling stock, and other EBT resources; and other information for railroad historians, railfans, and railroad modelers interested in the EBT.
FEBT has a substantial collections of artifacts, documents, photographs, records, and other materials related to the EBT and is currently working to scan and index that material for reference use.
FEBT organizes meetings and programs for FEBT members, including an annual Fall Reunion, and special public events that celebrate the EBT and its heritage.
Restoration[edit]
One of FEBT's most important activities is the restoration work performed on several parts of the East Broad Top. The current restoration efforts in Rockhill, PA began in 2002. Restoration work continued through the closure of the railroad from 2011 to 2020.
With the purchase of the railroad by the EBT Foundation, the onsite restoration activities will continue [1] [2] , and continues through the COVID-19 Pandemic [3]
FEBT also performs restoration at other points along the railroad, most notable Robertsdale. There the group owns two historic buildings which they have been restoring. Recent work in 2020 includes clearing the line and yard south from Robertsdale. [4]
Structures[edit]
- Machine Shop north restoration
- Machine Shop roof truss repairs and east roof reconstruction
- Car Shop east wall windows
- Car Shop north wall restoration
- Boiler House wall and roof restoration
- Foundry gantry restoration
- coal bin reconstruction
- Machine Shop west wall restoration
- Boiler Shop west wall restoration
- Boiler Shop south wall restoration
- Locomotive Shop west wall restoration
- Sand House restoration
- Paint Shop rehabilitation
- Restoration pad construction
- Jordan Creek retaining wall reconstruction.
- yard garage restoration
- Coal Dock restoration
Rolling Stock[edit]
- Caboose 28 restoration
- Hopper 802 restoration
- Flatcar 119 rehabilitation
- Flatcar 108 restoration
- Boxcar 168 conversion.
- Boxcar 174 restoration.
- Combine 14 restoration
Track[edit]
- Track 3 reconstruction
- Car Shop north leads
- Car Shop south leads
- paint shop lead
- turntable lead
- car barn leads
- m-3 shed lead
Other Rockhill Furnace Projects[edit]
- Brush clearing along the line
- Brush clearing along the Rockhill Wye
- Brush clearing along main line south to Oddfellows Cemetery crossing
- Brush clearing along Jordan Creek.
Robertsdale[edit]
- Robertsdale Station restoration
- RI&C Company Post Office restoration
- Ex-EBT handcar restoration*
- Robertsdale track clearing and gauging
Saltillo[edit]
- Saltillo station documentation
- Removal of station artifacts prior to demolition
Coles[edit]
- Water tank documentation
- Water Tank stabilization
Membership[edit]
Yearly membership fee is $35; several other membership categories are available. Membership includes subscription to the Timber Transfer and the Newsletter, member discounts at the Company Store and FEBT event admissions
References[edit]
- ↑ Morgan, Ron (2 August 2020). "EBT restoration, planning presses ahead". Bedford Gazette. Bedford, PA. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ↑ "Back on track - Foundation, volunteers breathe new life into East Broad Top Railroad". Altoona Mirror. Altoona PA. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ↑ "Road Trippin' PA: A history of the East Broad Top Railroad". WJACTV. Johnstown, PA. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ↑ Morgan, Ron (8 September 2020). "Wood leaders updated on EBT". Bedford Gazette. Bedford, PA. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
External links[edit]
Coordinates: 40°10′59″N 78°06′55″W / 40.18311°N 78.11523°W
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