Friends of the East Broad Top

Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. (FEBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt educational and historical society dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the East Broad Top Railroad National Historic Landmark in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Activities

FEBT and its members are currently engaged in several activities. The most visible is restoration work on the East Broad Top Railroad (EBT), focused around the Rockhill Furnace, Pennsylvania and Robertsdale, Pennsylvania stations. FEBT volunteers and FEBT-paid contractors work to stabilize and restore historic parts of the EBT.

FEBT operates a developing museum in Robertsdale in the original EBT railroad station. The museum displays artifacts and memorabilia from the 150 years of EBT history. The museum is housed in the FEBT-owned original EBT Robertsdale station. FEBT also owns the adjacent Rockhill Iron and Coal Company Post Office, which is being restored to become larger permanent museum, at which time the station will be restored to its period interior.

Ownership

FEBT owns the EBT Robertsdale station and the Rockhill Iron and Coal Company Post Office, also in Robertsdale. FEBT owns two former EBT passenger cars, combine car #18 and baggage car #29 and plans to restore them to service. They also own the only existing original EBT handcar and an original EBT Fairmont speeder. The group has a long term lease on original EBT combine car #16 and are working to build reproduction trucks for the car.

Public awareness

FEBT promotes public awareness of the EBT as a unique historic resource through a variety of outreach programs. They operate booths and a variety of railroad and model railroad shows and meets throughout the eastern US.

The Timber Transfer

FEBT publishes a quarterly magazine called The Timber Transfer. Articles focus on the history of the EBT; its current condition, operations, and future; description and documentation of buildings, rolling stock, and other EBT resources; and other information for railroad historians, railfans, and railroad modelers interested in the EBT.

FEBT has a substantial collections of artifacts, documents, photographs, records, and other materials related to the EBT and is currently working to scan and index that material for reference use.

FEBT organizes meetings and programs for FEBT members, including an annual Fall Reunion, and special public events that celebrate the EBT and its heritage.

Restoration

One of FEBT's most important activities is the restoration work performed on several parts of the East Broad Top. In Rockhill Furnace, FEBT restoration crews have worked on the following projects:

Structures

Rolling Stock

Track

Other Rockhill Furnace Projects

Robertsdale

Saltillo

Coles

Membership

Yearly membership fee is $35; several other membership categories are available. Membership includes subscription to the Timber Transfer and the Newsletter, member discounts at the Company Store and FEBT event admissions

Coordinates: 40°10′59″N 78°06′55″W / 40.18311°N 78.11523°W / 40.18311; -78.11523

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