East Broad Top Begins Track Laying at Saltillo as Restoration Efforts Advance

Published: March 24, 2026

SALTILLO, Pa. — A major milestone has been reached in the ongoing restoration of the historic East Broad Top Railroad, as crews have officially begun laying track at the reconstructed Saltillo Station—marking a significant step toward reconnecting a long-dormant հատված of the famed narrow-gauge line.

The work, which began in March 2026, represents the first installation of rail in Saltillo since the railroad ceased common-carrier operations in 1956. During a ceremonial kickoff, volunteers and staff drove spikes by hand before transitioning to modern equipment to continue the process, advancing rail northward from the station site.

“This is a huge event,” one volunteer noted during the ceremony, underscoring the emotional significance of seeing track return to a location that had sat dormant for decades. If you like to donate towards their efforts or join the cause please check out the Friends of the East Broad Top's website.

Rebuilding Toward a Historic Reconnection

The Saltillo work is part of the railroad’s broader “March to Saltillo” initiative, a multi-year effort aimed at restoring approximately nine miles of main line between Rockhill Furnace and Saltillo.

Track crews—comprising both paid staff and volunteers—are working from multiple directions, with the ultimate goal of connecting newly laid rail at Saltillo with previously restored segments extending south from Rockhill Furnace.

In recent years, steady progress has been made:

Right-of-way clearing and drainage improvements began in 2022
Track rehabilitation advanced through 2023–2025, reaching key crossings and infrastructure points
Construction of a replica Saltillo station building was completed in 2025
Track installation at Saltillo officially commenced in March 2026

Once completed, the restored segment will dramatically extend the railroad’s operable trackage beyond its current excursion limits, opening the door to longer rides and new interpretive opportunities.

A Railroad Frozen in Time

Originally constructed in 1872 to serve the coal fields of central Pennsylvania, the East Broad Top operated as a common-carrier railroad until 1956 before transitioning into a tourist operation that ran intermittently until 2011.

What makes the EBT especially remarkable is its level of preservation. Unlike most heritage railroads, it remains largely intact as a complete industrial narrow-gauge system, including original locomotives, rolling stock, and shop facilities.

Following nearly a decade of inactivity, the railroad was purchased in 2020 by the nonprofit EBT Foundation, which has since spearheaded an ambitious revival effort. Regular excursion service resumed in 2021, with restoration accelerating each year since.

Restoration Beyond the Rails

The track work at Saltillo is only one component of a broader, multi-faceted restoration campaign that includes:

Infrastructure rehabilitation: Bridges, crossings, and drainage systems along the main line
Historic structures: Reconstruction of the Saltillo station and plans for additional facilities
Equipment restoration: Ongoing work to return steam locomotives and rolling stock to service
Shop complex preservation: Rehabilitation of the Rockhill Furnace maintenance shops

Funding has come from a mix of grants, donations, and volunteer labor, including a $1.1 million state grant awarded in 2021 to support track restoration and capital improvements.

Looking Ahead

While no firm completion date has been set, the current pace of construction suggests that trains could eventually reach Saltillo within the next phase of restoration—bringing the railroad closer to its long-term vision of reconnecting additional portions of its historic 33-mile main line.

Challenges remain, particularly south of Saltillo, where two 19th-century tunnels require extensive rehabilitation before further expansion can occur.

Even so, the sight of rails being laid once again at Saltillo stands as one of the most tangible signs yet that the East Broad Top’s revival is not only progressing—but accelerating.

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