The ‘National Treasure’, East Broad Top Railroad in Huntingdon County, is Now Open for Business

Rockhill Furnace and the Legacy of East Broad Top Railroad

In Pennsylvania’s Rockhill Furnace, the melody of East Broad Top’s steam whistle no longer echoes through the landscapes as it once did. When coal mines exhausted and locomotion shifted to cars and trucks, this historic railroad fell into silence. The site offers a unique glimpse into the past, making it a priceless treasure for railroad archaeology.

Preservation of East Broad Top’s Steam Locomotives

Back in 1956, the East Broad Top’s locomotives were silenced and locked away in a roundhouse. The Kovalchick Salvage Company, which bought the property the same year, had decided to spare these dormant giants from being sold as scrap. This act of preservation has kept the 150-year-old railroad intact, making it a wonder for train enthusiasts and history buffs far beyond the confines of Huntingdon County.

The Resurrection of East Broad Top

With the property’s sale to the EBT Foundation in 2020, the padlocks on the roundhouse and train yard were finally removed. An ardent team of volunteers and employees have since breathed life back into the rail yard, rekindling its steam and fire. Today, the East Broad Top offers passenger rides on a variety of restored machines, including steam locomotives and a nearly 100-year-old gasoline motorcar. The Smithsonian has rightly termed East Broad Top as an “incomparable national treasure”.

East Broad Top as a Tourist Attraction

For the small towns of Rockhill Furnace and Orbisonia, the railroad has become a major tourist attraction. The 40,000 visitors who boarded the 4.5-mile track ride last year have brought an economic resurgence to these communities. Moreover, train enthusiasts like Jonathan Smith, who left his job at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to join East Broad Top, are continually dreaming up ways to attract more visitors.

Heritage Railroads in Pennsylvania

While Pennsylvania is home to several scenic train rides like the ones in Jim Thorpe, Lancaster County, and New Hope, East Broad Top stands apart due to its preserved train yard and shop. It’s akin to a time capsule that offers a unique glimpse into America’s railroad history.

The Future of East Broad Top

Plans are underway to expand East Broad Top, reclaim old tracks, and extend the train rides. The extension will benefit other towns in the county and transform East Broad Top into a must-visit Pennsylvania destination. For Joe Kovalchick, whose father preserved the dormant locomotives nearly 70 years ago, the resurrection of East Broad Top is about more than just pride; it’s about heart and heritage.