East Broad Top Railroad - Rockhill Furnace, PA - A Heritage Railroad


Located roughly 19 miles north of Interstate 76, the East Broad Top Railroad is a heritage railroad that has its headquarters in Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania. It was originally established in 1856 and was the last original narrow gauge railroad east of the Rocky Mountains. It is also the oldest surviving narrow gauge railroad in the United States.

The East Broad Top Railroad currently operates tourist trains. Their rail equipment includes passenger cars that were built in the 1880s, steam locomotives from the 1910s, speeders from the 1920s, and many others. The railroad has a large collection of narrow gauge steam locomotives. In addition, it operates two gas motorcars that are one-of-a-kind and maintains a large collection of track cars and vintage equipment.

Beginning the first weekend in June until the last weekend in October, the railroad is open to the public on weekends. Trains depart at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm from Orbisonia Station. The typical steam train ride lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and travels through fields and forests. Train fares vary based on which area of the train a person rides in. The fare for riding in an open car is $12 per adult (ages 12 and up) and $8 per child (ages 2 through 11). Caboose fare is $14 per adult and $14 per child. Coach fare is $12 per adult and $8 per child. First Class fares are $15 each for both adults and children. Children under 2 years of age can ride the train for free. Group rates are also available. The group rate is $.50 less than the regular rate per person.

Visitors can also take handcar and speeder rides between the hours of 11:00am and 4:30pm. Located across the street from the railroad station, these maintenance cars travel south on cleared tracks that the train does not operate on. Handcar rides and speeder rides are $2 each per person. M-3 rides are also available for $5 per ride per person. These rates apply to both adults and children.

East Broad Top Railroad features an old fashioned picnic grove called Colgate Grove. Visitors can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a scenic train ride to the picnic grove on one of the steam locomotives then take a later train back to the station.

The Gift Shop and Ticket Window are open from 10:00am to 3:00pm. In addition, shop tours are conducted at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Roundhouse/shop tours are $8 per person for both adults and children.

Adjacent to the East Top Railroad, the Rockhill Trolley Museum offers visitors the opportunity to ride on an antique trolley. The trolley ride takes visitors through along Blacklog Creek and enables them to take in the scenic countryside views. The Rockhill Trolley Museum can be reached by calling 814-447-9576. Also located by East Broad Top Railroad is the Brass Lantern. The Brass Lantern can be found on Meadow Street and is a 1860s general store that has been turned into an antiques and ice cream shop.

For additional information about East Broad Top Railroad, interested parties can call 814-447-3011.

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