At Rockhill, the company built an extensive shops complex and engine house. With its steam-generated and belt-driven machinery, the EBT was almost totally self-sufficient, maintaining its rolling stock and contructing its own freight cars. As the railroad prospered, passenger service was expanded to include public excursions as well as transport of miners. In the early 1900's, the trackage and bridges were substantially rebuilt, including an early concrete arch railway bridge. A new building was constructed to house the EBT offices and a passenger station, which bears the name of the neighboring town of Orbisonia.

In 1919, the EBT was purchased by Madeira, Hill & Company (MHC). At Mt. Union, MHC established a coal cleaning plant and a "timber transfer." Originally, the timber transfer was used to transfer wood from narrow to standard gauge cars. Later, the timber transfer was used to change the trucks under standard gauge cars to move on the EBT rails. In 1938, after MHC's bankruptcy, bondholders reorganized the company as the Rockhill Coal Company. After World War II, rising labor costs, crippling strikes, diminishing coal deposits and a decreasing market took their toll on the EBT. Finally, in April 1956, the last coal run was made to Mt. Union.

Soon after closing, the Kovalchick Salvage Company of Indiana, PA bought the railroad and all its assets. In 1960, passenger service was restored to celebrate the bicentennials of Orbisonia and Rockhill. The EBT was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and remains the only narrow gauge railroad still operating in the East.