EBTRR Locomotives 12 and 18

by ELDavis Photography

Title

EBTRR Locomotives 12 and 18

Artist

ELDavis Photography

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

Pictured are Locomotives 12 (foreground) and 18(background) in the roundhouse of the East Broad Top Railroad in Rockhill, isouth-central Pennsylvania.

The East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company was first chartered in 1856. The American Civil War delayed construction of the 3-foot narrow gauge line until 1872-1874. Service began in August of 1873. At its height, the railroad had 33 miles of mainline and 60 miles of track total. The main purpose of the railroad was to haul coal from the local mines to the Rockhill Iron Furnace, operated by the railroad's sister company, and in turn hauled the pig iron from the furnace. The railroad also carried ganister rock, lumber, agricultural goods, concrete, road tar, general fright, and passengers. When coal demand plummeted as homes and businesses switched to cheaper oil and gas, the local mines closed and the railroad lost its main purpose in life, closing as a coal hauler in 1956. The railroad began operating as a tourist attraction in 1961, operating steam-powered trains every summer. The East Broad Top Railroad ceased all operations in December of 2011 while it searched for new owners to take over the entire railroad. As of 2015, the railroad and its facilities have not been sold. Volunteers help perform maintnenance and restoration work on the buildings, machinery, rolling stock, and the premises in general.

The EBT was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The railroad was added ti the National Trust for Historic Preservation's list of America's Most Endangered Places in 1996.

Uploaded

October 27th, 2015

Statistics

Viewed 97 Times  -  Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/07/2024 at 2:23 PM

Colors

Embed

Share

Sales Sheet

Tags