ORBISONIA, Pa. (WJAC) -- Hundreds of people gathered in Orbisonia Friday to show love to the East Broad Top Railroad as it looks to get engines like "Millie" back up and running.
The East Broad Top Railroad has been nonoperational since 2011. A new nonprofit, the East Broad Top Foundation has purchased the railroad from second-generation owner Joe Kovalchik and plans to bring it back to life.
“I searched for nine years to get the right combination to get this thing to where our family wants it to be and that’s in a state or restoration and operation,” Kovalchik said.
60Sixty years ago, the East Broad Top began tourist service on the railroad. Moving forward, the plan is to offer a unique historical and educational experience. The organization hopes to restore its six locomotives, getting the railroad back to operation by 2021.
“This is going to be authentic railroading,” Kovalchik said. “You’re gonna see different trains, you’re gonna see railroading, as it was in the '20s, '30s and '40s.”
“We’re all ready to see steam engines and locomotives coming back into Orbisonia and Rockhill,” said Brad Esposito, the railroad’s new general manager. “It’s as much of a thrill to see what we can do for the region and the people here and for future generations.”
Kovalchik said the narrow-gauge railroad is a critical part of American industrial heritage.
“This is one of a kind,” he said. “Those shops are deemed to be by the Smithsonian Institute the most complete set of early-American industrial railroad shops in our country and perhaps in the world.”
Kovalchik said railroading is in his blood and he can't wait to hear the sounds of locomotives filling Orbisonia once again.
“There’s people here from all over the country and there’s a lot of people in this country that love the East Broad Top and they’re going to be elated,” Kovalchik said. “It’s going to be a Valentine’s Day they won’t forget.”
2020 is expected to be a soft opening for the railroad. The general manager said there’s a lot of work to be done, but there’s also a lot of potential.
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