East Broad Top: Narrow Gauge Steam in Pennsylvania

The East Broad Top Railroad of Pennsylvania is arguably the most authentic preserved steam railroad in the US. In 1956 the railroad closed unexpectedly, with the entire railroad was simply left as it was. Instead of scrap, the new owners the Kovalchick family opted to preserve the railroad. The railroad was revived in 1960 for events, and was brought back in full in the years following to a regularly operating tourist railroad. The EBT would operate for the next 50 years with a variety of original locomotives and passenger equipment, but in 2011 the railroad shut down once again. It would be silent for the next decade. In 2020, the railroad was purchased by the newly formed East Broad Top Foundation, which began rehabilitating the line and equipment. Old locomotives would return with new built passenger cars. In 2023, East Broad Top 2-8-2 16 returned to steam for the first time since revenue steam days, and the sounds of the steam whistles returned to the Aughwick Valley.