Steam Engine Train Ride Is Vintage Fun
All Aboard! Grab A Ticket For The East Broad Top Railroad.
Past Lane Plus is an extension of Past Lane Travels, a history/travel blog. Past Lane Plus features extra photos of historical sites that didn’t make it into the regular posts.
I never thought that riding on a vintage steam engine train could be so much fun!
The East Broad Top Railroad in Central Pennsylvania invites visitors to experience this thrilling ride, which takes you on a 9-mile roundtrip through beautiful countryside.
The Vintage Railcars
Amazingly, there are six original engines that remain at East Broad Top, plus many vintage railcars that you can ride in.
The Historic Caboose
Caboose No. 28 was built in 1920 and was overhauled by the Friends of East Broad Top in the same shop where it was built.
Instead of riding in one of the other cars, you can choose to sit in this historic caboose!
The Train Station
Even the train station itself at East Rock Top Railroad is special. Old-time music combines with the sound of the train whistle to make it a perfect setting.
There are plenty of benches to relax on while waiting for your train to depart, and even some displays, including a cart full of old trunks, like you would have seen a century ago.
The Locomotives
The steam train I rode in was pulled by Engine #16, which is one of East Broad Top’s three large Mikados.
Built in 1916, the steam engine underwent almost three years of restoration work, and returned to the rails on February 1, 2023.
Touring East Broad Top
In addition to the train rides, East Broad Top Railroad offers guided tours of the railway’s facilities.
These tours provide a behind-the-scenes look at the railway’s operations and offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of the railway.
Many of the buildings are practically untouched and look just as they did in the early 1950s.
The Landscape
Not only is it fun to ride the steam train, but the landscapes you pass are absolutely breathtaking. You’ll see mountain streams, hills, pastures and forests.
Want More?
I hope you enjoyed this picture story of East Broad Top. If you want to read more, check out the full story on Past Lane Travels.