Allegheny Rail Riders
Quick Details
- Departures: 9am & 10:30am
- Duration: Rail Bike Ride: 1 Hour
- Cancellations: No refunds. Full value of tickets may be transferred to credit. Rail bikes operate rain, snow or shine.
- Accessibility: This experience is not ADA accessible.
- Dates: Please see calendar for full list of dates and times.
Rail Bike Adventures at the East Broad Top Railroad
Experience a one-of-a-kind rail bike ride in Pennsylvania along the historic Shade Gap Branch of the East Broad Top Railroad. This unique, pedal-powered adventure lets you ride the rails through some of Huntingdon County’s most scenic and historic landscapes.
Your approximately one-hour, three-mile round-trip rail bike experience follows a quiet stretch of track once used to serve the iron and coal industries of the Broad Top region. Along the way, you’ll pass the ruins of the Rockhill Iron Furnace, pedal alongside the peaceful waters of Blacklog Creek, and travel through shaded forest corridors that highlight the natural beauty of central Pennsylvania.
Perfect for couples, families, and outdoor enthusiasts, East Broad Top’s Rail Bike Adventures combines light activity with rich history and unforgettable scenery. Whether you’re planning a day trip, weekend getaway, or looking for unique things to do near Raystown Lake, this experience offers a fun and memorable way to explore the region.
What's Included
One-Hour Rail Bike Experience
Pedal your way down the East Broad Top Railroad’s historic Shade Gap Branch for a 3 mile, 1 hour round trip. Each bike is equipped with an e-assist motor to assist you during your journey.
Coming soon! Combo Ticket with Train Ride and Guided Tour!
For an additional fee, add a train ride along the EBT’s mainline to either Colgate Grove or Pogue, and explore the inner workings of a late 19th/early 20th century railroad which are frozen in time with a one-hour tour.
Train excursions depart at 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and on select dates, 3pm.
Guided Tours depart at 10:15am, 11:45am, 1:15pm, and 2:45pm.
You will select your itinerary on the calendar to the right of the page.
While we always recommend advance reservations online, if space is available on the date of departure, we do accept walk-up reservations. If you wish to purchase at the ticket window, we recommend arriving no later than 1/2 hour prior to the train’s departure.
Rail Bike Seating
Each rail bike seats up to four (4) guests. The first and last rail bikes of each departure will have one Rail Bike pilot seated. Groups of more than four (4) will be split across multiple bikes.
Classes of Service (Combo Tickets)
Enclosed Coach
Fully enclosed coaches with padded walkover seats and large windows that open.
Open Air
Bench-style seats that face outward, walls that are open from the waist up, and a sunshade overhead.
Cinder Car
Featuring outward-facing bench seats and open sides from the waist up. Positioned directly behind the locomotive, it offers an exhilarating, roofless experience, immersing you in the sights and sounds of an engine in action.
Passengers in this car may experience exposure to soot, or particles during the ride. We recommend wearing safety glasses while riding in this car.
Caboose
Ride the rails like a member of the train crew aboard one of our historic cabooses.
Itinerary
When reserving your tickets, you’ll be required to choose a train departure time and class of service. If you purchase a combo ticket, you’ll also pick your guided tour time.
Rail Bike Only
All Ages (2+) | $20.00
Children 1 & Under Ride Free when secured to Parent or Guardian
Fares may vary for posted special events
Groups of 20 or More: Please contact our station at (814) 447-3285 or info@eastbroadtop.com to book your reservation!
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.
Dining
Lodging
Things to Do
Additional Information
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. If riding the train or participating in a guided tour, your tickets will also list their assigned car and seat number. Rail bike tickets will include the rail bike and seat number you are assigned on. It is recommended that visitors arrive no later than 1/2 hour before their rail bike departure time, train departure time or guided tour. This ensures ample time to park, use the restroom and check in at the ticket window.
Our rail bikes operate outdoors in light rain and shine. 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 required for those riding the rail bikes.
Hats, sunglasses, water bottles, and sunscreen are highly recommended. Feel free to bring your camera as well!
There is a weight limit of 300 lbs per guest.
Reservations are strongly recommended for all experiences at the East Broad Top Railroad. Rail bikes and guided tours feature limited availability and will frequently sell out. Those wishing to purchase tickets the date of their visit at our ticket window can purchase a rail bike spot on a space-available basis.
Our rail bikes operate in light rain or shine. In the event of severe inclement weather, we reserve the right to cancel the tour or delay your departure until the weather event passes through. Safety is our top priority and we will not operate a tour in downpours or thunderstorms. In the event that we decide to cancel a tour due to weather, we will issue a credit that can be used to book for another rail bike tour. Ponchos and umbrellas are available for purchase in our gift shop.
No, but you are welcome to bring your own. Children ages 12 and under are required to wear a helmet, and helmets for children only will be provided.
YES! Rail biking excursions can be enjoyed by almost anyone. Infants will need to be secured in a front child carrier, such as Baby Bjorn, on their mom or dad's chest. Toddlers may ride in their own seats.
No lap riding is permitted at any time. Young children may not be able to reach the pedals but they will be able to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Rail Bikes
- There are no age restrictions. Infants must be secured in a chest harness/papoose so they cannot fall off the bike. Children under 8 years old may not be able to reach pedals but can go along for the ride.
- Maximum weight for rail bike riders is 300lbs.
- Each rail bike must have one person who is age 18. Children/minors may not ride on a rail bike without an adult over age 18.
- Arrive 20 minutes prior to your departure time. If you arrive late and miss your departure time, you will not be issued a refund. We can reschedule for a later excursion the same day if we have bikes available.
- Know your health limits. If you have a pre-existing health condition you must alert our staff. Do not ride a rail bike if it could aggravate an existing health condition.
- Rail bike tours will operate in light rain. However, excursions will be canceled in heavy rain, dangerous weather conditions, or when lightning is present.
- Parents are responsible for their children and must make sure children follow safety rules.
- Children under age 16 are not permitted to operate the hand brake.
- No flip flops or sandals. All riders must wear closed toe shoes.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted. Riders who arrive intoxicated will not be permitted to ride the rail bikes.
- Make sure your belongings are safely secured in our rail bike baskets.
- Do not get off the rail bike at any time during your excursion, except when instructed to do so by the guide.
- Staff instructions must be followed at all times.
- Do not tailgate the rail bike in front of you. A safe distance of 25′ must be kept between rail bikes.
- All rail bike riders are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is safe and respectful to others.
- Service dogs (dogs trained to perform a task for a blind or handicapped person) and small pet dogs are permitted, however, it is up to the dog’s owner to properly secure the dog on the rail bike.
- Rail bikes are limited to a speed of 10mph.
While we work hard to maintain published schedules, consists, and itineraries, the EBTF can change equipment or motive power at any time, for any reason, without notice. 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. If motive power changes, visitors can reschedule their experience to another date or request a credit following the policies outlined above. Refunds for changes in motive power will only be issued if there is a difference in fare paid.