Re: East Broad Top - November 2, 2019 Photo Shoot
| November 07, 2019 12:56PM |
Brett B Wrote:
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> Boy o boy... seeing these photos and the herculean
> effort by the friends of EBT have put in to just
> try to keep everything in a holding pattern makes
> me wish I could score a big lottery win. Would
> love to see this eastern narrow gauge operating
> much like the C&TS/ D&S again.
Unfortunately, it would probably take a significant lottery win.....or a rich philanthropist to make it work. Even if someone with the motivation and foresight to save/develop the EBT had the funds to acquire the railroad from the owner, it would probably take an infusion of that much again just to get the place on its feet. The motive power and the rolling stock would definitely need some attention, as would the ROW. Even with that, I think its long-term viability as a tourist railroad is doubtful, mainly because of its remoteness, the lack of a nearby patronage pool with lots of disposable income and because the few real coaches they have are really unsuitable for everyday tourist operations....meaning they wouldn't survive. The line has a few converted flat cars and gons, but those are hardly good 3-season passenger cars. The ride is also too short and lacks a real destination. A picnic grove in the woods is not likely to motivate families to drive 100 miles or more. If the line could be opened to Mt. Union and if there were restaurants and historic sites within easy walking distance of a terminal there, that might improve things a bit.
Realistically, I think the place would best be operated as a museum by a historic trust that is funded well enough to keep it running even if rides and special events don't fully pay the bills.
I hope someone surfaces with the means in the near term. The worry is, of course, what happens when the present owner passes. The owner apparently does care that it all stays together, but we have to hope that his will reflects that. Otherwise, it would be tempting for his heirs to simply cash in their chips and it's a fair bet that they or their lawyers will quickly figure out that there's more money to be made by selling off the parts.
EBT is about the saddest story in railroad preservation....
/Kevin Madore
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> Boy o boy... seeing these photos and the herculean
> effort by the friends of EBT have put in to just
> try to keep everything in a holding pattern makes
> me wish I could score a big lottery win. Would
> love to see this eastern narrow gauge operating
> much like the C&TS/ D&S again.
Unfortunately, it would probably take a significant lottery win.....or a rich philanthropist to make it work. Even if someone with the motivation and foresight to save/develop the EBT had the funds to acquire the railroad from the owner, it would probably take an infusion of that much again just to get the place on its feet. The motive power and the rolling stock would definitely need some attention, as would the ROW. Even with that, I think its long-term viability as a tourist railroad is doubtful, mainly because of its remoteness, the lack of a nearby patronage pool with lots of disposable income and because the few real coaches they have are really unsuitable for everyday tourist operations....meaning they wouldn't survive. The line has a few converted flat cars and gons, but those are hardly good 3-season passenger cars. The ride is also too short and lacks a real destination. A picnic grove in the woods is not likely to motivate families to drive 100 miles or more. If the line could be opened to Mt. Union and if there were restaurants and historic sites within easy walking distance of a terminal there, that might improve things a bit.
Realistically, I think the place would best be operated as a museum by a historic trust that is funded well enough to keep it running even if rides and special events don't fully pay the bills.
I hope someone surfaces with the means in the near term. The worry is, of course, what happens when the present owner passes. The owner apparently does care that it all stays together, but we have to hope that his will reflects that. Otherwise, it would be tempting for his heirs to simply cash in their chips and it's a fair bet that they or their lawyers will quickly figure out that there's more money to be made by selling off the parts.
EBT is about the saddest story in railroad preservation....
/Kevin Madore
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.