East Broad Top Railroad

Rockhill Furnace in Huntingdon County is home to the East Broad Top Railroad, a narrow gauge coal line established in 1871 and operated until April 16, 1956. The line ran about thirty-three miles from Alvan to Mount Union, where coal was transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Rockhill yard held the shops, a brick roundhouse with berths for eight engines, and a turntable, most dating from 1874. Much of the original machinery survives. The railroad is regarded as one of the oldest narrow gauge lines in America and as a well-preserved example of the steam era. Its rolling stock is also significant: three coaches bought second-hand from the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad are considered rare survivors of the Laconia Car Company, and Official Car No. 20, built in 1880 for the Bradford, Bordell and Kinzua Railroad, is considered one of few surviving narrow gauge official cars. Passenger service ended in 1953.