|
About the Railroad
Q. - I heard rumors that the EBT was not running this year. Is this true?
A. - No, the Kovalchick family and the EBT are continuing to run tourist trains for the 43rd year.
Q. - Am I allowed to walk around the Rockhill yard and tour the shop complex?
A. - Feel free to walk through the yard at your leisure. Shop tours are only given on special occasions and for groups of 20 or more.
Q. - I see the roundhouse is open. Can I walk in and take a look at the other locomotives?
A. - No, visitors are not permitted inside any shop buildings unless there is an official tour in progress.
Q. - How far does the track continue into the woods at the end of the line?
A. - At Colgate Grove, the tracks continue north about 5 miles into the town of Mt. Union where they connect to the national rail system. At Rockhill, the tracks extend south about 21 miles to the town of Robertsdale where the coal fields were located. The Friends of the EBT currently occupies and operates a museum out of the former EBT station in Robertsdale.
Q. - Is the trolley museum's track original.
A. - Yes and no. The Rockhill Trolley Museum's demonstration trolley line has been built over the original EBT Shade Gap Branch. The trolley museum's track is standard gauge, and since the road bed was originally narrow gauge, there are some close clearances on the line.
Q. - What is "narrow" gauge?
A. - Gauge is the distance between two rails. Narrow gauge, which the EBT operates over, uses rails which are 3 feet apart. The trolley museum operates on rails which are 4 feet 8.5 inches, standard gauge. Narrow gauge was built here because it was cheaper, and tighter curves could be made up the steep mountain grades.
Q. - When was the line over which I am riding built?
A. - The mainline from Mt. Union to Rockhill, the portion you are riding, was built from 1872 to 1873 and has been in nearly continuous service since then. The railroad south of Rockhill to the coal fields was built 1873 to 1874.
About the Train
Q. - How many crewmen does it take to operate a train?
A. - Four crewmen are required: an engineer, fireman, conductor, and brakeman. The engineer, of course, operates the locomotive. The fireman maintains the fire in the locomotive. Often you will see two firemen in the EBT's locomotive. The conductor is responsible for the train and its passengers. The brakeman assists the conductor and throws the switches.
Q. - Can I bring my own food and eat on the train? Is there someplace to buy food there?
A. - Yes, you can bring your own food onto the train and have a picnic at Colgate Grove. No food is sold at Colgate Grove but there is occasionally a food wagon at Rockhill. Snacks are available in the gift shop. In addition, there are a few restaurants around town.
Q. - Is there a certain car that allows smoking?
A. - No, smoking is not permitted on any of the passenger cars at the East Broad Top, inside the station, or inside any shop buildings.
Q. - Can I bring my dog on the train with me?
A. - Only dogs for the seeing-impaired are permitted aboard the train.
Q. - Can we bring a cooler of beer on the train?
A. - No, alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the train.
Q. - Is there a restroom on the train?
A. - Yes, however, passengers are not permitted to use them. Restrooms can be found at the back of Orbisonia station, at the trolley museum grounds, and at Colgate Grove.
Q. - While the train is moving, may I change cars or stand on the end platforms?
A. - Passengers are not permitted to pass between cars or stand on the platforms while the train is in motion.
Q. - Which car is the first class car?
A. - Car number 20, named the Orbisonia, is the first class car. It is usually at the rear of the train.
Q. - The open cars do not appear to be original passenger cars. What are they?
A. - #119 and #175 are a flat car and box car respectively. These two were cut up and had benches installed for tourist service in 1960.
Q. - When was the equipment I am riding in built?
A. - The combinations and coach 8 were built in 1882 and purchased by the EBT in 1916. The open flat car and box car were built by the EBT in 1916 and 1925 respectively. Both cabooses were also built by the EBT in 1920. The first class car, Orbisonia, was built in 1882 and purchased in 1907. The steam locomotives you will see while at the EBT were built by Baldwin from 1911 to 1920. #14 was built in 1912.
Q. - Are cab rides offered?
A. - Rides in the locomotive cab are not available.
|
