Back to EBTrr.com Rockhill Shops Restoration by Friends of the EBT
Newest photos at the bottom


One of the most important aspects of the East Broad Top Railroad as a historic landmark is the shop complex in Rockhill. It is a complete, intact, 19th to early 20th century railroad support complex that has no equal in North America. Unlike modern machine shops that have an electric motor built into each machine, the EBT shops, as with others of the time, was entirely reliant on steam power. A single large engine converted the steam into mechanical energy which was then transferred to the overhead system of shafts, belts, and pulleys and finally to machines all over the shops. All of the belt, steam, and air driven machinery and tools are still in the complex. Although the machinery no longer runs due to the vibration stress on the weakened structures and the misalignments caused by settling, all could be made operational again with time and effort. All the machines are in good to excellent condition and are occasionally lubricated to keep them in good working order. A few machines still see occasional use.

Some buildings in the shop complex date to 1882, including the roundhouse and main shop structure. Newer buildings were constructed into the 1910's. The yard office, also called the stone house or farm house, was built in 1862 as a farm house and predates the construction of the East Broad Top Railroad. Many smaller storage and support buildings also exist. Tours of many of these buildings are available during special events.

July 2001
This scene of the locomotive being put away for the day shows the sand tower in the background and the tool room addition in the foreground. Notice how the tool room sinks into the ground before any work started. This would become the first shop restoration project in recent years.
Spring 2002
Volunteers from the Rockhill Trolley Museum and EBT employees emptied this building, jacked it up, and supported it with cinder blocks and ties.
June 1, 2002
The major portion of the shops, including the 90 ft stacks, is in this view before Friends of the East Broad Top got involved.
August 10, 2002
No. 14 passes the car shop while FEBT members are repairing and painting windows and frames.
July 19, 2003
FEBT stabilized and replaced some siding on the electrical & brake shop. The building was repainted in September 2003.
September 28, 2003
The leaking roof on the boiler house was causing severe damage to the brickwork below. Repointing is being done by a local mason. This wall was repainted after repairs were completed.
September 28, 2003
Scaffolding and ladders enable FEBT members to reach the higher portions of the structure with their brushes.
June 5, 2005
Repointing on the boiler house is coming to a close. Take a look at the original coal bin to the right before it will be replaced
July 24, 2005
This view shows the repairs to the north wall of the machine shop in progress. Take a look at a later photo for the finished product.
July 24, 2005
The original coal bin was found to be in such bad shape, it was removed, and this reproduction is being built. Before the wooden framework could be built, a new concrete foundation was poured by FEBT.
September 11, 2005
Repairing of the windows and repainting is almost completed on this wall. It sure looks great!
Photo by David Richards November 2006
The repair work on this wall of the boiler house and the reconstructed coal bin are finished in this view.
Photo by Lance Myers March 31, 2007
The FEBT crew formerly involved with rebuilding the coal bin, has moved on to stabilizing the foundry. In this view, new supports have been erected to replace a rotten horizontal beam.
Photo by Lance Myers March 31, 2007
The shop window crew is working on the west end of the boiler shop today.
Photo by Lance Myers August 19, 2007
Painters have mostly finished the south side of the boiler shop. The windows, with their white frame, have not yet been installed.
Photo by Lance Myers August 19, 2007
Another FEBT crew started stabilizing this garage this spring. It is located across from the inspection pit and next to the sand house.
Photo by Lance Myers August 19, 2007
The foundry crew has successfully installed replacement beams and some new siding.
Photo by Lance Myers March 22, 2008
All that's left to do with this project is paint.
Photo by Lance Myers September 13, 2008
After the restoration of M-3, the shed where it is stored was decorated with many artifacts from the restoration.


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