Like every other railroad, the EBT had section gangs that maintained a section of track. On the EBT, the average section was about 5.5 miles. In order to get from one place to another relatively quickly, the gangs used handcars and later, speeders. Once internal-combustion engines became more widely used, engines were fitted to cart frames. A handcar is hand-operated and has a cruising speed of about 5 mph, and about half that upgrade. A speeder, with its gas engine, is much faster and is capable of 30 mph or more. All of our small and medium sized speeders have 4-8 hp, 1-cylinder, 2 cycle engines, but the large gang car has a vehicle engine. The FEBT owns the only remaining original EBT handcar and one speeder; however, we still have the largest collection of original speeders in at least the U.S. The first speeders were purchased as just an engine, which the railroad shops would apply to a frame. More modern cars were metal instead of wood and were purchased complete. We have both types here at the East Broad Top, therefore, for the older cares, the builder listed below applies only to the engine, unless otherwise stated.

To learn how 2-cycle engines work, vist HowStuffWorks.com.

Photo not yet available.	Buda The Friends of the EBT owns this original EBT handcar. It is the only remaining original EBT handcar and it is a miracle that it has survived.
	The Spider Fairmont Built 1920 This car was presumably used just for track inspections because of it's unusual design. In 1984 the FEBT made it operational utilizing some parts from another inactive speeder. After another overhaul in 2006, this car is back in operation. Interestingly, this car is 100% Fairmont-built, or at least a Fairmont kit, unlike the rest of our wooden speeders.
	Big Jim Fairmont Built 1920 Big Jim was brought back to the EBT by the Friends of the East Broad Top after being sold not long after the shutdown in 1956. It was returned to service and has been used to transport materials for FEBT work crews.
	The Fairbanks Fairmont This car has been removed from the boiler shop for restoration for the 2007 season. The interesting thing about this car is that it had a Fairbanks-Morse No. 39 engine at one time. This car retured to service in June 2007 and you may see it out and about. It is seen here pulling our trailer built in 2006 on an old frame.
	The Flying Devil Fairmont This is probably our favorite speeder and is regularly seen giving 1-mile rides from the station to the south end of track. The Flying Devil is seen here with the ruins of the Rockhill Furnace on the Rockhill Trolley Museum dual gauge track.
Photo not yet available.	Fairmont This is the only non-operating EBT speeder. When the Spider was reactivated in the 1980's by the Friends of the EBT, parts were taken from this car since it has the same size engine. This car is kept inside the boiler shop and can be seen during shop tours.
	The Casey Jones Northwest Manufacturing This is the only speeder on the railroad not produced by Fairmont that survived after 1956. This is one of two existing EBT speeders with a two-speed transmission for hauling heavy loads and is believed to be the only operating 2-stroke Casey Jones. Unfortunately, we don't know when this car was built.
	The Silver Sightseer Fairmont Built 1942 This large gang car has been the most used speeder of the EBT's collection. This car occasionally sees light work duties during the week when the steam trains are not running. The Silver Sightseer was originally open and equipped with a Ford model B engine, and the railroad shops later added the sheet metal enclosures. This is our only speeder that's had its original engine replaced. It now has a '72 Vega "under the hood."
	The Ice Cube Fairmont Built 1947 In addition to the Devil, the Cube can also be ridden during your visit to the East Broad Top. The sides and rear of this car were added by the railroad shops sometime after purchase. As you can see, this and the next car are similar.
	Phil Raynes' Speeder Fairmont Built 1951 With the exception of having a two speed transmission, this car is mechanically identical to the Ice Cube. Mr. Phil Raynes, a member of FEBT is the proud owner of this car and he usually tries to bring it to the railroad for the Fall Spectacular weekend. The Casey Jones is coupled to the rear.
	Handcar HC-06 Fairmont Built 2006 Built by EBT staff from a kit, this new handcar replicates a Sheffield handcar. This interesting and fun piece of equipment is available for rides within the yard during your visit.

EBTRR.com
Copyright © 2006-2007 East Broad Top Railroad & Coal Company.