An Autumn Freight in the Aughwick Valley

Much like the leaves barely hanging onto their trees, the East Broad Top was struggling to stay afloat in November of 1955. The eastern titan of narrow gauge was fighting for survival as demand for coal was diminishing, and ganister demands in Mount Union kept the trains running. When I arrived with my camera in the sleepy town of Orbisonia, I found engine 16 being readied for the day. A few passengers were on the platform waiting to take the train to Mount Union. As I chassed the train north I was pleasantly surprised to find young railfans from the newly formed Penn State Model Railroad club out to shoot the train at McMullin's summit. The day's job would be light, just picking up remaining cars from the clay pit spur near shade gap on the return journey in the morning, and an another afternoon run to Mount Union. I had heard 15 was in Robertsdale loading a coal train for tomorrow, but I think I'll visit the line further south of Orbisonia in the future. In the meantime, please enjoy this home movie of the day's travels.
0:00 16 is readied for the day
6:16 Morning run to Shirleysburg
13:06 Lunch around Orbisonia
16:48 Afternoon run to Mount Union
25:50 Putting 16 to bed
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In reality, this film is a mix of two photo charters in November of 2023. I had fallen head over heels for the East Broad Top railroad and wanted to shoot another the freight run over the line. Thankfully, my friends at Dynamo Productions set out to do just that. My best friend Max, the current president of the Penn State Model Railroad club wanted to piggyback off of their charter with a smaller one for the benefit of the club with the same consist. To the benefit of the charter attendees, The East Broad historically has been a railroad where a coach or combine would regularly been seen behind freight trains for workers and LCL goods instead of a caboose. An even rarer sight was a combine and caboose together on the rear of the train, but it was documented and immortalized in books.
On the Dynamo charter, we made history as we performed the first photo runby south of Orbisonia at Odd Fellow Cemetery Road. At the time of writing this, the East Broad Top is rehabilitating their track further south, but they cannot do it without your help. If you enjoyed this video and have the means, please consider donating to the East Broad Top so they can continue marching south and creating spectacles not seen in almost 70 years.
Thank you so much for watching!
©ToledoRails 2024

[@tpoole9585]

Wonderful. Thanks Stan

[@StanFerris]

Brilliant. Breathtaking! Thank you so much!

[@DynamoProductions-trains]

Wonderful captures of both charters, Nick. Hope to see you again before long on another.

[@harperlarry49]

Great video. Thank you to Stan Ferris for recommending this.