EBT couplers salvaged by WW&F

On Nov. 17, a crew of WW&F volunteers met in Mount Union, Pa. to take the first steps in salvaging 10 couplers from derelict East Broad Top Railroad hopper cars that have been sitting in the yard since the railroad ceased operations in April 1956. This was the culmination of a multi-year effort by several WW&F volunteers to negotiate the purchase the couplers for future WW&F equipment construction projects. The 3/4-size couplers were used on several of the Maine two-foot gauge railroads, including the WW&F and the Bridgton & Harrison. In late September, I met with a representative of the EBT and we selected several cars to take the couplers from. Removal of the couplers was accomplished in about four hours, using a torch to cut the eight bolts securing the coupler in the drawhead, along with a few judicious whacks with a sledge to assist gravity. I should note that several of the cars had already sacrificed such parts as triple valves, brake cylinders and hand brake wheels. In coming weeks, they will be assembled in one location for loading on a truck for the trip to Maine. We greatly appreciate Mr. Kovalchick's allowing us to purchase and remove the couplers for our future projects.

Below is a shot of the first coupler removed.