East Broad Top Railroad Memories

Send in your own memories, recollections, reminisces or stories of the EBT if you'd like to share them here with other EBT aficionados. Whether it be common carrier or excursion era send them in.

From Ellen, the Horse Lady.

Matthew's great uncle Lloyd Gabert's car got hit by the EBT back in the 1930's - 1940. Matt said it might have been because Lloyd ran out of gas and the car stalled on the tracks at the Enyeart RR crossing. Matt said this is the only time he is aware that the EBT was involved in a car accident.

Lloyd's brother Harrey worked for the EBT in the blacksmith shop.

Our neighbor, Charlie Price worked for the EBT as a fireman.

From Donald W.

I remember in the late 30s and early 40s riding the EBT from Mt. Union to Orbisonia. It was quite a thrill. Steve Painter lived up the road to Pogue from my Grandparents farm. He and my Dad went to Jefferson School at the same time. While I spent the summers with my Grandparents I always looked for the mail train. I also remember riding the EBT to the Shade Gap Picnic. It was more of a box lunch picnic then and I always looked forward to riding the EBT. I also remember standing on the bridge by Jordan Cemetary and letting the smoke blow up over me. I also remember standing very near the tracks at my Aunt Ruth Mitchells home outside Obrisonia on the way to Mt Union. They would always come out to make sure I did not get too close to the tracks. What beautiful memories of the EBT and the Orbisonia area.

From Marcus R.

I have been a member of the Branford Electric Railway Assoc. (Shore Line trolley Museum - East Haven, CT) for many years. Back in the early seventies many of us began an annual pilgrimage to the Winter Specatular. Usually twenty or so of us would "invade" the area for that weekend and typically rented a block of rooms at the Vista Vue Motel near Huntingdon. Needless to say, given the temper (or, should we say, distemper) of the times, and our collective youth, they were memorable weekends, and were usually talked about for many months (sometimes years) afterward. We are lesser in number now, and more sedate, but some of us have started coming to the Fall Spectacular. I came to last year's which was the first visit to EBT for me in 25 years, and I plan on coming back every year, inasmuch as I moved away from the New Haven area many years ago, the weekend allows me to see a lot of old friends, and EBT is a great place!
I recently unearthed a group photo taken of our group in front of a steam locomotive at the 1973 Winter Spectacular.

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