Individual Guided Tours
Quick Details
- Duration: Approx. 1 Hour
- Feb. 14 - Oct 31: 10:15am • 11:45am • 1:15pm • 2:45pm
- Meeting Point: Orbisonia Station
- Cancellations: No refunds. Full value of tickets may be transferred to credit. Trains and tours operate rain, snow or shine. Motive power and rolling stock are subject to change without notice
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible golf-cart available by request - contact station for more details
About
Experience the national treasure of the East Broad Top Railroad’s historic railyard—home to America’s most intact belt-driven machine shop, a magnificent eight-stall roundhouse, and so much more!
Built as a narrow-gauge railroad—with rails just three feet apart instead of the standard width—the East Broad Top had to be entirely self-sufficient. To support its operations, an extensive shop complex was constructed to maintain its fleet of locomotives and cars.
Frozen in time, these buildings and their original machinery remain remarkably intact, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to experience industrial history as it once was—authentic, immersive, and alive.
Important: Tours involve uneven terrain and crossing several train tracks. Please wear closed-toed shoes for your safety.
Regular Tour Overview
Shop tours first visit the original Freight Office for the East Broad Top Railroad, where you’ll enjoy a selection of displays and artifacts from the railroad’s past. Here, your guide will give you an overview of the railroad’s history, and how/why it survived for us to enjoy today.
Your next stop is the Roundhouse, the heart of any steam-powered railroad. This is where locomotives were stored and readied for their days’ work. Today, it is the hub of our locomotive restoration efforts and still houses all six of our steam locomotives.
Your final stop is the largest and most intact belt-driven machine shop still in existence in the United States. Every machine was powered by a stationary steam engine through an elaborate working of overhead belts and line shafts.
Additional Information
For safety reasons, access to our historic shop complex is by guided tour only.
These regular tours primarily focus on the history of our railroad, not our current restoration projects or operations.
YES! Photography and videography are permitted on our regular tours. It may be restricted at your tour guide's discretion based on current operating conditions.
- While our guides are trained to try and keep each tour consistent, it is difficult to say exactly how much time will be spent at each location. Often, each stop takes approx. 15 minutes or so, with time given for visitors to take pictures or ask questions.There are no paved walkways in the historic shop complex
- The buildings on our guided tours are not climate-controlled
- While benches are available at each stop, tours do require visitors to stand or stay in one place for long periods
- Entering buildings requires navigating wooden floors, door thresholds, train tracks, gravel, and other uneven surfaces
FAQs
Tickets are not emailed to visitors in advance of their trip. All visitors must check in at the Orbisonia Station to get an orientation to the property and pick up their physical tickets. It is recommended that visitors arrive no later than 1/2 hour before their guided tour. This ensures ample time to park, use the restroom, and check in at the ticket window.
It is recommended that you dress in layers that can be added or removed based on temperatures and weather conditions. Sturdy, closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for those taking a guided tour.
Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are highly recommended as well.
Guided tours are not recommended for children under the age of eight. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
While we have made every reasonable effort to accommodate all visitors on our guided tours, the historic nature of our shop complex does present challenges for those requiring mobility devices or have difficulty standing for long periods of time.
A wheelchair accessible golf-cart is available by request to shuttle visitors between tour stops.
- There are no paved walkways in the historic shop complex
- The buildings on our guided tours are not climate-controlled
- While benches are available at each stop, tours do require visitors to stand or stay in one place for long periods
- Entering buildings requires navigating wooden floors, door thresholds, train tracks, gravel, and other uneven surfaces
While we work hard to maintain published schedules, consists, and itineraries, the EBTF reserves the right to cancel any experience, tour, or excursion for any reason, including but not limited to, inclement weather or mechanical problems. The EBTF will not be held liable for any delays regardless of the cause. Safety is our number one priority. Tours operate rain, snow, or shine.
Adult (13+) | Shop Tour • $18.00
Child (2-12) | Shop Tour • $8.00
Note: Tours take visitors over uneven ground, and require crossing several train tracks. Closed-toed shoes are strongly recommended.
Additional Activities
Plan Your Visit
Find information about lodging, local dining and other regional attractions to help make your visit to Huntingdon County as memorable as possible.
Plan Your Visit
Find information about lodging, local dining and other regional attractions to help make your visit to Huntingdon County as memorable as possible.
You’ll also find information about ticketing and cancellation policies, as well as frequently asked questions.