easy
1–1.5 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves some stair climbing and standing during the tour.
Unlock the hidden archives of the East Broad Top Railroad on a private tour led by the station’s Archivist. Experience history behind closed doors in Rockhill, PA.
1 Hour • Steep Stairs Required
Explore the hidden treasures of the East Broad Top Railroad on an exclusive tour of the Orbisonia Station's archives. Led by the railroad's Archivist, you'll access the normally restricted second floor, witnessing the preservation of over 5,000 linear feet of historical documents and artifacts, making this a truly unique experience.
Led by the railroad's Archivist, you'll journey through our effort to preserve, protect, and provide access to the East Broad Top's vast archival collection. You'll climb the stairs to the second floor of the Orbisonia Station, normally off-limits to the public, and spend an hour inside the former Engineer's Office, which now houses the EBT Archives and Special Collections Program.
First, you'll get a rare glimpse inside the Orbisonia Station's vaults, estimated to contain over 5,000 linear feet of maps, drawings, records, and more dating back to the earliest days of the EBT. Next, you'll see how the Archives team take unprocessed documents, protects/preserves them, catalogs them, and digitizes them to provide access to our restoration crews and the public!
##Tour Overview: !Map of the Rockhill Railyard with the Orbisonia Station highlighted Tour Stops:
Due to the historic nature of the facility, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.** Accessing the second floor of the Orbisonia Station requires climbing a flight of very steep stairs. This tour is not recommended for those who have difficulty climbing stairs or require assistance walking. Tours are one hour in duration and require long periods of walking and standing.
Please contact our ticket office PRIOR to booking if with any accessibility questions.
The tour involves walking up stairs to the second floor archives, so sturdy, comfortable footwear is recommended.
Recording interesting details and photos of this unique experience is encouraged, but check the Archivist’s policy on photography.
Tours run on a strict schedule to preserve the archive materials properly, so punctuality ensures you get the full experience.
For preservation, some items can’t be touched directly—always listen to the Archivist’s guidelines during the tour.
The East Broad Top Railroad is one of the last remaining narrow-gauge railroads in the U.S., originally built in 1873 to transport coal and goods.
Efforts are ongoing to maintain the railroad as a historic and educational resource while minimizing impact on the surrounding natural landscape.
Necessary for navigating stairs and walking in and around the station.
Keeps you comfortable during cooler spring temperatures inside and outside.
spring specific
For capturing photos of the historic station and surroundings (verify photography rules).
Helpful for jotting down interesting facts shared by the Archivist.