ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — A Friends of East Broad Top special on Saturday, Oct. 5, became the first train to operate on a section of newly restored main line trackage to the south of the railroad’s Rockhill Furnace headquarters.
About 200 people were on board the six-car train that ran Saturday evening after the end of regular operations, as part of a dinner-train event for Friends of East Broad Top members that included a catered buffet at the Colgate Grove picnic site. The trip included about 1.3 miles past the previous end of track; EBT wanted the Friends group to be the first to ride on the newly restored trackage because the group’s donations have made the restoration possible.
Full coverage from the annual Friends of East Broad Top reunion weekend will be upcoming on Trains News Wire.
Mr. Carbonetti is correct. Notwithstanding the re-use of the rails (after quite a bit of restoration work on them) it was like tracklaying from scratch from re-establishing the grade and the roadbed (including removing a lot of trash, debris, discarded tires,etc.) to all new ties and use of tie plates on all ties. The ballast was the least of it. It’s what the ballast is on and what’s on the ballast that requires most of the work.
Even though no new rail or cross ties at least new ballast that goes a long way.
I don’t think you are correct. These are ties purchased with donations to the FEBT. Certainly, all the ties from more than 80 years ago have rotted away. Much of the rail has been relayed, though new rail was used in road crossings. Overall, this track structure is superior to anything the original EBT ever had.