East Broad Top 16: The Winter Spectacular Return

The East Broad Top has been described as the railroad that time forgot. I had never really understood what that had meant, and following the 2011 closure, it seemed time had forgotten about the railroad once more. I had always had a desire to see the railroad, but it seemed that my young hopes were dashed, until 2020. After the railroad's revival was announced, a friend got us a private tour on our way out to the Reading & Northern, and I cannot express how surreal it was then to see things in various states of repair, and the decaying was listed as the to-do project. When we were in the roundhouse, a stripped down mikado with broken springs rested in the newly refurbished "restoration stall" of the roundhouse. This was my first sight of 16, and I knew that I would be back someday, deeply moved by the history of the railroad. The initial plan for the winter spectacular was going to be an intense day trip, but the freight run and night photoshoot quickly made it snowball into a full weekend adventure. To anyone who has never understood the appeal of the East Broad Top, I hope this video can at least peak your interest enough to go out and visit the railroad. I promise you it's worth it.

©ToledoRails 2023