East Broad Top - Operations and Preservation | Circa 1956 - 1990

The East Broad Top is the oldest surviving narrow gauge railroad in the United States with its first trains operating in 1873. Running from Robertsdale, PA and through Rockhill Furnace and over to Mt. Union, it was the last 3' common carrier east of the Mississippi River.

This video comes from the 8mm movie camera of Don Kehl, and was provided by Hunter Lohse by way of the Western Railway Museum. The East Broad Top is seen operating in it's last month as a common carrier in 1956, and we see 2-8-2 17 on the narrow gauge as well as standard gauge 0-6-0 3 working at Mt. Union.

After a round trip from Orbisonia to Mt. Union it is on the 1964, where we see the revived East Broad Top as a tourist operation with 2-8-2 12 as the main power, as well as early views of the neighboring Rockhill Trolley Museum.

This video has been expanded with additional footage from the 1990 Fall Spectacular. All of the 8mm and Super 8mm film in the presentation was shot by Don Kehl and is part of the Western Railway Museum collection. The transfers were provided by Hunter Lohse

Enjoy this look at one of this country's most historic narrow gauge railroads!

Thumbnail provided by Maryland Rail Historical Foundation.