One of the most successful stories in modern rail preservation is that of the East Broad Top in Rockhill Furnace, PA. The coal and common carrier railroad was saved from scrap in 1956 by Nick Kovalchick. The railroad operated as a tourist railroad until 2011 when the entire operation was closed.
In February of 2020 it was announced that the railroad would return to operation. Locomotive 16, built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1916 is the first of the locomotives to return to operation running for the first time since 1956 in February, 2023.
Lerro Photography hosted a photo charter at the East Broad Top on October 16th and 17th, 2023. The locomotive pulled. a mixed train and run-bys were staged in a variety of locations. Some of the scenes included antique vehicles and re-enactors. The highlight for many of us was to capture scenes in the historical Rockhill Furnace yard and shop area. The shops are a time capsule from the days of the railroad's common carrier era. Most of the machines and tools still remain inside the original buildings.
