East Broad Top Pictorial 2003

EBT Fall Event, FEBT Fall Reunion, October 11-13, 2003

The official activities were held on Oct 11-12, but I hung around longer to take some more pictures.

Yard Tour [2003oct11,tour] 600x409 (49k) - 1200x818 (140k)
FEBT offered outdoor tours showcasing restoration efforts.

Bus [2003oct11,bus] 600x409 (52k) - 1200x818 (150k)
The replica transit bus made it out again to complete the station scene.

No. 17 [2003oct11,static171] 600x411 (53k) - 1200x822 (157k)
No. 17 was on display, but unfortunately only as a static display.

Blacklog Creek [2003oct11,creek] 600x410 (59k) - 1200x820 (182k)
Barriers have been placed to contain Blacklog Creek in preparation for construction of the new bridge's abutments.

Blacklog [2003oct11,blacklog1] 600x408 (52k) - 1200x816 (175k)
After working with volunteers from the Rockhill Trolley Museum over the summer, I took some out from the EBT and FEBT activities to take a ride out to the RTM's new platform at Blacklog Narrows. RTM has reliad track (to standard gauge) along the EBT's Shade Gap Branch from Rockhill Furnace to this spot, where the EBT had a small passenger shelter. Here the plow makes the sharp curve into the pocket track.

Blacklog [2003oct11,blacklog2] 327x480 (39k) - 613x900 (112k)
Following it are a snow sweeper and the maintenance (fish) car.

Blacklog [2003oct11,blacklog3] 326x480 (56k) - 612x900 (168k)
Swinging around the pole for the return trip.

Blacklog [2003oct11,blacklog4] 600x412 (53k) - 1200x824 (145k)
It's busy out at Blacklog Narrows!

Blacklog [2003oct11,blacklog5] 327x480 (46k) - 613x900 (129k)
Operators discuss the plan for the return moves with the dispatchers.

Dual Gauge [2003oct11,dualtraction] 327x480 (43k) - 613x900 (127k)
This stretch of dual gauge on the Shade Gap Branch is used by both the trolleys and the EBT's narrow gauge trains.

Car Shop [2003oct11,carshop] 600x406 (49k) - 1200x811 (133k)
Sunrays light up dust floating in the car shop.

Locomotive Service Bays [2003oct11,locobays] 600x410 (52k) - 1200x819 (157k)
The locomotive service bays were unusually empty, as the M7 was on the line and its unused sisters had been sold off last year.

Boiler Shop [2003oct11,boiler] 600x407 (47k) - 1200x814 (146k)
The boiler shop.

Night Train [2003oct11,night1] 600x407 (40k) - 1200x813 (120k)
The weather is good and the crowd is on hand for the two night trains.

Night Train [2003oct11,night2] 600x407 (41k) - 1200x814 (117k)
Since I was taking the previous picture, I was nowhere near getting on the passenger train, so I rode the picnic train.

Night Train [2003oct11,night3] 600x412 (26k) - 1200x824 (72k)
To back up the wye at Colgate Grove, the reverse headlight is lit, illuminating the cars.

Night Train [2003oct11,night4] 600x408 (32k) - 1200x816 (79k)
A brief pause at Colgate Grove.

McKelvey Brothers Tour [2003oct11,mckelvey1] 600x414 (63k) - 1200x827 (182k)
The FEBT tour of the McKelvey Brothers logging railroad is organized at Robertsdale.

McKelvey Brothers Tour [2003oct11,mckelvey2] 600x408 (87k) - 1200x816 (255k)
One of the stops on the McKelvey tour features mossy tie imprints along the ROW.

Track Speeder [2003oct11,speeder] 600x409 (54k) - 1200x817 (152k)
This antique gasoline speeder ran within the yard. It has no transmission for reversing direction, the engine is simply reset to run in the opposite direction.

Railings [2003oct11,railings] 600x410 (69k) - 1200x820 (203k)
With the last train having been boarded, the saftey railings are taken down from along the station area.

Last Train [2003oct11,lasttrain] 600x413 (49k) - 1200x826 (138k)
The last train pulls into Orbisonia station.

No. 17 [2003oct11,static172] 600x407 (44k) - 1200x814 (141k)
No. 17 in the afternoon sun.

No. 17 on the Turntable [2003oct11,turn17] 600x411 (51k) - 1200x821 (150k)
No. 17 is pushed across the turntable into its stall. It was kept in the stall directly opposite the lead track so that it (being the heaviest engine) didn't have to be turned. Now this also allows another locomotive to pull it out and push it in.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight1] 600x407 (34k) - 1200x814 (106k)
M7 got switching duties to make up a frieght train for an upcoming photo special.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight2] 600x409 (35k) - 1200x817 (111k)
M7 pulls its hoppers past the station.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight3] 600x409 (40k) - 1200x818 (120k)
The M7 has quite a train in tow.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight4] 600x409 (47k) - 1200x818 (131k)
A nice shot I thought.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight5] 600x408 (38k) - 1200x816 (105k)
If the EBT had puchased diesels in the 1950's, it might have looked very much like this.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight6] 600x410 (43k) - 1200x820 (111k)
The telephoto shot.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight7] 600x408 (41k) - 1200x815 (116k)
Tacking on the caboose.

M7 Switching [2003oct11,m7freight8] 600x410 (41k) - 1200x819 (112k)
Ready to go.

Roundhouse Roof [2003oct11,roof] 600x410 (51k) - 1200x819 (157k)
The EBT contracted out repairs to the roundhouse (pictured) and stone farmhouse roofs. The roundhouse roofwork included a lot of lumber as well as a new covering.

No. 14 Tender [2003oct11,tender] 600x411 (79k) - 1200x821 (236k)
The tender for EBT No. 14 is coming along, and the front truck is being reassembled.

Section Shed [2003oct11,shed1] 326x480 (39k) - 612x900 (102k)
The section shed sports a brick chimney on a wooden platform, as is typical of EBT structures.

Section Shed [2003oct11,shed2] 600x408 (43k) - 1200x815 (109k)
The new studs and bracing installed to support and stabilize the section shed are evident in this interior view.

page by Bill Adams