More Manual Labor

East Broad Top Engine 15 (1914 Baldwin Locomotive Works) on the manual turntable in Orbisonia, Pa  (click to enlarge)
Nikon D700, Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 42mm; 1/160th sec. @ f/ll; ISO 200

As I have written in the recent past, which you can read here and here, I enjoy wandering the countryside looking for things in America that are quickly going away—mostly forever.  I try to do my part and preserve, through my photography, these old buildings, railroads, industries, bridges, farms, equipment, cars, etc., that are quickly disappearing from my country.  This is another image showing something that now no longer exists.

The East Broad Top Railroad is now defunct.  The railroad started out as the East Broad Top Railroad and Coal Company was chartered in 1856. It operated on a 3 ft. narrow gauge railroad track.  The Civil War's arrival caused the original owners to give up on constructing it, but new owners bought the rights-of-way and built the railroad during the years 1872-1874.  The railroad operated between Mt. Union and Orbisonia, Pennsylvania.

After the demand for coal plummeted, the railroad ceased operation in 1956, along with the coal mining company for which it hauled coal in south central Pennsylvania.  The entire operation was sold for scrap, but the new owned decided not to cut it all up and scrap everything.

In 1960, the new owner started putting trains out for display and even created some tourist runs over a short distance.  This proved very popular, the tourist operation greatly expanded and it continued until 2011, when volunteers no longer could secure funding to keep this historic little railroad in operation.  The operation ceased to exist and remains as it was.

On a couple of occasions, I had the good fortune to travel and spend some time at the East Broad Top, documenting the original buildings, manual turntable, locomotives, outbuildings, trackage, countryside as well as the railroad people.  It was done exactly the same way it had been done for decades.  All manually.

I made this image in 2009 on my last visit.  I didn't know it was my last visit, but I've pretty much documented most of the operation by then and I'm satisfied that I captured the essence of the East Broad Top.  As you can tell, this turntable is perfectly balanced and well lubricated to allow a single individual to turn a several hundred ton steam locomotive.

It is a shame that operations such as this, which built America at the start of the Industrial Age, are slowing disappearing.  I'm glad I had an opportunity to "Stop, Look, and Listen" first hand.

But, there may be some good news coming.  Volunteers have raised a couple of million dollars toward a goal of $8 million to buy the entire rail line, all buildings and equipment and get it going again!  I sure hope they can do it.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis Mook 

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